The Cancer Predisposition Program evaluates children and young adults who have cancer or may have an increased risk of cancer or rare tumors. We help families understand how genetics, family history and other health factors may affect cancer risk.
Our program cares for patients from birth through age 25.
Cancer predisposition syndromes are conditions that can increase a person's chance of developing certain cancers or rare tumors. Some are caused by changes in genes that can be passed through families.
Our team has experience with both well-known and rare cancer predisposition syndromes. We also evaluate patients whose symptoms, tumor type or family history suggest a possible syndrome that has not yet been identified.
Li-Fraumeni syndrome is a rare condition that can increase the risk of several types of cancer. Our team helps families understand their child's risk and determine whether genetic testing and cancer screening may be appropriate.
DICER1 syndrome is an inherited condition that can increase the risk of certain rare tumors. Our specialists have experience evaluating patients with DICER1 syndrome and helping families understand recommended care and monitoring.
PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome is a group of conditions linked to changes in the PTEN gene. These changes can increase the risk of certain cancers and other health concerns. Genetic evaluation can help clarify a child's diagnosis and guide care.
These rare inherited conditions can increase the risk of certain tumors involving nerve tissue and hormone-producing cells. Our team can help families understand genetic findings and determine appropriate monitoring.
Multiple endocrine neoplasia syndromes are inherited conditions that can increase the risk of tumors in hormone-producing glands. Genetic counseling and testing can help families understand the condition and its potential impact.
Our team evaluates many other rare cancer predisposition syndromes. Some patients have a known genetic diagnosis. Others have complex medical findings that suggest a cancer predisposition syndrome without a confirmed genetic cause.
Cancer predisposition care is not limited to patients with a known syndrome. We also evaluate children and young adults after a new cancer diagnosis.
Genetic counseling and testing may provide important information after a child receives a new cancer diagnosis. Testing can help determine whether an inherited genetic change may have contributed to the cancer.
This information may also help guide cancer care and identify possible cancer risks for other family members.
A strong family history may suggest an increased risk for inherited cancer. This is especially important when close family members developed cancer at younger ages.
Our genetic counselors review your family's cancer history. They can help determine whether genetic counseling or testing may be appropriate.
Some children have medical findings that suggest a cancer predisposition syndrome, but genetic testing has not yet provided an answer.
These cases can be complex. Our team reviews the child's medical history, cancer history, test results and other findings to help determine what may be contributing to their cancer risk.
Some tumors are rare or occur in patterns that may suggest an underlying cancer predisposition. Our program has extraordinary experience with rare tumor diagnosis, treatment and care.
We also consider how a tumor may relate to a known or possible cancer predisposition syndrome. This helps families receive a more complete evaluation.
Some children with specific conditions receive care through other disease-focused programs at Cincinnati Children's. These include:
Our teams can work together when genetic or cancer predisposition expertise is also needed.
The Cancer Predisposition Program cares for patients from birth through age 25. We help support a seamless transition to adult care teams like our Hereditary Cancer Program when needed.
3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3026
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