Study of Individuals and Families at High Risk of Cancer

This study is currently recruiting patients.

Sponsored by

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Purpose

RATIONALE: Studying individuals and families at high risk of cancer may help to identify other persons at risk and identify cancer genes. PURPOSE: Study to identify genetic and environmental factors related to cancer risk in individuals and families at high risk of cancer.

Study Type: Genetic

Official Title: Genetic, Clinical, and Epidemiological Study of Individuals and Families at High Risk of Cancer

Further Study Details: OBJECTIVES: I. Identify individuals at high risk of cancer, especially due to personal or family medical history. II. Evaluate and define clinical spectrum of disease in syndromes predisposing to cancer. III. Quantify risks of tumors in family members. IV. Map, clone, and determine function of tumor susceptibility genes. V. Identify genetic determinants and gene-environmental interactions conferring cancer risk in individuals and families. VI. Evaluate gene-gene and gene-environmental interactions in tumor formation.  PROTOCOL OUTLINE: Individuals and families undergo clinical evaluation consisting of at least a medical history, physical examination, and testing of blood specimens. Other biologic specimens may also be obtained from some patients, and some patients may undergo other diagnostic studies and examinations, depending on the type of familial neoplasm being studied. If a family is already participating in the study and a specific mutation in a tumor predisposing gene has already been identified in the family, individuals may be eligible for genetic testing. Genes tested include RB1, APC, BRCA1/2, NF2, and VHL. Individuals under age 18 are only eligible to be tested for APC (familial adenomatous polyposis), NF2 (neurofibromatosis type 2), PTCH (nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome), RB1 (retinoblastoma), and VHL (von Hippel-Lindau disease). Individuals may receive results of the genetic testing and genetic counseling is offered to all individuals who are tested. A certificate of confidentiality protecting the identity of research participants in this project has been issued by the National Cancer Institute. Families are followed at least yearly.  PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 7,500 individuals will be accrued for this study.  

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:  up to   95 Years Criteria

PROTOCOL ENTRY CRITERIA: --Disease Characteristics-- Family or personal medical history of neoplasia of unusual type, pattern, or number Two or more living affected cases required The following types of familial cancers are eligible: Bladder Brain Breast (with or without ovarian cancer) Chordoma Lymphoproliferative Acute and chronic leukemias Hodgkin's disease Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia Lung Melanoma Ovarian (with or without breast cancer) Testicular Nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (NBCC) Li-Fraumeni syndrome Childhood sarcomas Early onset breast cancer Brain tumors Leukemias among relatives Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome with cancers Retinoblastoma The following types of familial benign neoplasms are eligible: Meningiomas Neurofibromatosis type 2 (bilateral acoustic neurofibromatosis) OR Known or suspected factor(s) predisposing to neoplasia: Environmental exposure Medications Occupation Radiation Diet Infectious agents Genetic and/or congenital factors Birth defects Metabolic phenotype Chromosomal anomalies Mendelian traits associated with tumors Unusual demographic features Personal and family medical history must be verified through questionnaires, interviews, and review of pathology slides and medical records --Prior/Concurrent Therapy-- Not specified --Patient Characteristics-- Age: 1 month to 95 years Performance status: Not specified Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: Not specified Hepatic: Not specified Renal: Not specified

Location and Contact Information

Maryland

Genetic Epidemiology Branch, Bethesda,    Maryland,   20892,   United States; Recruiting

Margaret A. Tucker       301-496-4375   

Study chairs or principal investigators

Margaret A. Tucker,  Study Chair

National Cancer Institute (NCI)    

More Information

Study ID Numbers  199/14412;   NCI-78-C-0039

NLM Identifier  NCT00004007

Date study started January 1, 1978

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