Hereditary Cancer Predisposition Program at the Cancer Center

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Hereditary Cancer Predisposition Program

The Hereditary Cancer Predisposition Program at the Cancer Center at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia uses the latest advances in oncology and genetics to provide care and counseling to children with genetic predisposition to cancer. The program is one of the few of its kind in the U.S.

The program also houses the Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) / isolated hemihypertophy team, a sub-group within the Hereditary Cancer Predisposition Program that works with families of children with BWS and isolated hemihypertrophy, diseases that genetically predispose children to cancer.

Services for patients and families with hereditary cancer

The program's team of specialists:

Reviews information about the diagnosis, course and management of a genetic condition associated with increased cancer risk
Assists families in ordering cancer screening tests and interpreting the results
Reviews family cancer histories to identify other family members who are potentially at risk of cancer and have a genetic predisposition to cancer
Offers genetic counseling about the risk of occurrence of cancer in future offspring
Explains and coordinates genetic testing and reviews results with families
Provides access to and enrollment in ongoing research on cancer genetics
Provides educational materials on cancer genetics, genetic testing and cancer predisposition syndromes
Offers psychosocial support services

Benefits to referring physicians

The team works closely with primary care physicians, who are often the first to spot signs of a genetic predisposition to cancer in families. For these physicians, the team:

Provides a comprehensive, detailed written review of a consultation
Collaborates in the medical management of patients
Recommends patient referrals to additional specialists, as needed
Explains and interprets genetic testing results
Provides educational materials on cancer genetics, genetic testing and cancer predisposition syndromes

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