Patients > Care by Cancer Type/Topic > Gastroinestinal (GI) Cancer Risk Evaluation Program

Gastroinestinal (GI) Cancer Risk Evaluation Program

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers are common throughout the United States and the world. Colon cancer, for example, is the second most common cancer among men and women in the United States. Approximately 140,000 new cases will be diagnosed in the next year, according to the American Cancer Society. Cancers that arise from the esophagus, stomach, pancreas and liver are common as well.

If you have even one close relative who has colon or another type of gastrointestinal cancer, there may be an increased risk. You may have already been diagnosed with a gastrointestinal cancer and are wondering if other family members are at risk.

There may be an inherited risk of GI cancer if you have:

• Multiple relatives with the same type of cancer
• Early age of diagnosis of colon polyps or colon cancer or another gastrointestinal cancer
• Multiple relatives with colon polyps
• Multiple relatives with different forms of cancer
• Individuals with multiple different cancers
• Penn's GI Cancer Risk Evaluation Program can help answer such questions as:
• What is my level of risk for developing gastrointestinal cancer? How can I protect myself?
• What about the risk to my family members?
• Would testing for the inherited forms of cancer be helpful?

About Familial Risk of Gastrointestinal Cancer

Familial Colon Cancer

There are two types of inherited colon cancer: familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC).

FAP predisposes people to develop colon polyps, which are benign growths, and colon cancer. An early diagnosis combined with appropriate treatment and follow-up can dramatically lower the chances of developing colon cancer. FAP runs in families, which means it can be passed from parent to child. Genetic counseling can help determine who in a family may be at risk.

HNPCC accounts for approximately 3 to 5 percent of all colon cancers. It is the most commonly inherited known condition that predisposes a person to colon cancer. Both men and women with HNPCC are at high risk for colon cancer, but women with HNPCC also are at increased risk for endometrial cancer (cancer of the uterus). There may be additional cancer risks associated with HNPCC and a carefully coordinated approach to treatment, follow-up care, and continued monitoring is essential.

Some families may have a hereditary predisposition to colon polyps and colon cancers, from conditions other than HNPCC and FAP, such as Juvenile Polyposis, Peutz-Jeghers, and Cowden's syndromes, and other conditions yet to be genetically defined. Our physicians are experienced with the evaluation and management of these diagnoses.

Familial Risk of Other Gastrointestinal Cancers

Some families may have an inherited predisposition to other types of gastrointestinal cancer. Barrett's esophagus, esophageal cancer, stomach cancer, pancreatic cancer, and GI sarcomas, for example, are known to run in families. In addition, there appears to be a familial association between colon and breast cancers. We have protocols for these cancers as well. Penn's team is familiar with these conditions and is able to provide clinical, genetic and research services in all areas.