Gastrointestinal Cancer
Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers are extremely common throughout the United States and the world. Colon cancer, for example, is the third most common cancer among men and women in the United States. If you have even one close relative who has colon or another type of gastrointestinal cancer, you may be at an increased risk of developing this disease.
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 (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, meaning it can be passed from parent to child. Genetic counseling can help to 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 common, 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.
Knowing your 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 questions such 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?
A Team Approach
Penn’s GI cancer team offers information, evaluation and follow-up for people who are at an increased risk of gastrointestinal cancer due to a personal or family history of colon polyps, colon cancer or other gastrointestinal cancers (pancreatic, stomach, esophageal and liver).
When you visit Penn's GI Cancer Risk Evaluation Program, you benefit from a team of experts in gastrointestinal medicine and genetics working together. Our physicians are nationally recognized experts in the diagnosis and treatment of colon cancer and other gastrointestinal cancers, and our genetic counselor has extensive experience in family history assessment, education and counseling for people with a family history of GI cancer. Your GI cancer risk evaluation team includes physicians and health care professionals from many specialties, including gastrointestinal medicine, hematology-oncology, medical genetics, radiology and pathology, working together to provide comprehensive and coordinated care.
During your initial visit, our specialists provide:
- A review of your medical history.
- A physical examination and additional testing, as needed.
- Genetic counseling (when appropriate).
- Discussion of your personal risk and recommended risk-reduction strategies.
- A plan for ongoing monitoring for early detection and personal risk reduction.
For more information about Penn’s GI Cancer Risk Evaluation Program or to schedule an appointment, call 800-789-PENN or visit the Abramson Cancer Center.
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