Hereditary Cancer and Clinical Genomics at Wellstar Georgia Cancer Center
For patients with a family history of cancer or certain types of cancer that often have a hereditary basis, the cancer genetics specialists at Wellstar Georgia Cancer Center provide genetic testing, mutation analysis and risk management to patients and family members.
Comprehensive Genetic Care for Hereditary Cancer
Hereditary cancer syndromes are genetic disorders that increase the risk of cancer. Approximately 10 to 15% of cancers are linked to an inherited alteration in specific genes, often referred to as cancer predisposition genes. Finding out if you carry one is key to detecting early-stage cancer or engaging in risk-reducing treatments. At Wellstar Georgia Cancer Center’s Hereditary Cancer Clinic, our highly trained team provides genetic testing and hereditary risk assessment to help you understand your risk of developing cancer and make decisions about cancer screening and management. Our experts will help you understand your results, answer questions and create a detailed plan for continued care, if necessary. We also offer coordination of imaging and subspecialist referrals, as well as dedicated resources to support you and your family. We encourage potentially at-risk relatives to seek testing. We offer in-person and virtual appointments for patients throughout the Southeast. Learn more about genetic counseling at Wellstar.When to get screened
Inherited gene mutations can cause increased risk for cancers including breast, ovarian, colon, kidney, melanoma, ovarian, pancreatic, prostate, stomach and ovarian cancers, as well as some rare cancers. You are a candidate for genetic testing if:- You have a family history of cancer. If you have a family history of cancer, genetic testing can help you learn if you have specific genetic mutations. People who are at risk for hereditary cancer may find it helpful to discuss options for screening, lifestyle changes or risk-reducing treatments.
- You have cancer. For someone who already has a cancer diagnosis, genetic testing can help you and your care team make more informed decisions about treatment options. It can also help family members decide if they could benefit from genetic testing.
- Early age of cancer onset
- Multiple cancers in a single individual
- Cancer in paired organs (such as bilateral breast cancer or kidney cancers)
- Multigenerational cancers
- Rare tumors
- Unusual cancer, such as male breast cancer
- Belonging to an ethnic group known to be at high risk for hereditary cancers
Heredity cancer syndromes we manage
There are over 50 known hereditary cancer syndromes, including hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome. Each syndrome is linked to a particular group of cancers and sometimes other associated health conditions. At our clinics we manage the following hereditary cancer syndromes, among others:- Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome
- Cowden syndrome/PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome
- Familial adenomatous polyposis
- Gorlin syndrome
- Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome
- Hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell carcinoma
- Hereditary pheochromocytoma-paraganglioma syndromes
- Polyposis of the colon
- Li-Fraumeni syndrome
- Lynch syndrome
- Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1
- Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2
- MUTYH-associated polyposis
- Neurofibromatosis types 1 and 2
- Peutz-Jeghers syndrome
- Hereditary retinoblastoma
- Tuberous sclerosis complex
- Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome
Our Services
- Hereditary Cancer Clinic
- Pancreas Cancer Screening Program
- Paraganglioma Pheochromocytoma Genetics Clinic
- Georgia Neurofibromatosis Clinic
- Pediatric Cancer Predisposition Clinic
- VHL Clinical Care Center
- TSC Alliance Clinic
- Wellstar Clinical Genomics Program
Hereditary Cancer Clinic
The Hereditary Cancer Clinic at Wellstar Georgia Cancer Center is for patients with all types of cancer where a hereditary component is suspected. It includes specialty clinics for children with cancer and for patients with neurofibromatosis, tuberous sclerosis, VHL syndrome and hereditary paragangliomas and pheochromocytomas. The clinic operates five days a week and same-day visits are available daily for urgent referrals. We work with referring physicians to analyze complicated genetic test results obtained from tumor tissue. The Cancer Pharmacogenomics Program uses genetic testing to reduce the risk of side effects of chemotherapy. The Wellstar Clinical Genomics Program also offers advanced genetic analysis for a range of adult health conditions.Pancreas Cancer Screening Program
Wellstar Georgia Cancer Center launched the Pancreas Cancer Screening Program to help people in Georgia and South Carolina know their risks for developing pancreatic cancer earlier in life. Pancreatic cancer accounts for about 3% of all cancers in the U.S. and about 7% of all cancer deaths. It is slightly more common in men than in women. According to statistics from the National Cancer Institute, the number of new cases of pancreatic cancer has slowly been increasing. Unfortunately, the number of deaths is also climbing. This program can help our team detect the cancer earlier, giving our gastrointestinal oncologists an advantage in providing treatment. If you have a family history of pancreatic cancer or would like to understand your risk, call for more information.Paraganglioma Pheochromocytoma Genetics Clinic
The Paraganglioma Pheochromocytoma Genetics Clinic brings together a multidisciplinary team to help patients who have been diagnosed with tumors of the autonomic nervous system or who are concerned about the possibility of this diagnosis based on imaging, laboratory findings, genetic test results or family history. Despite the rarity of these tumors and their syndromes, we offer specialists with expertise in their diagnosis, genetics, surveillance and treatment. Tumors of the autonomic nervous system have different names depending on their location in the body:- Abdominal paraganglioma
- Carotid body tumor
- Chemodectoma
- Glomus jugulare
- Glomus tympanicum
- Glomus vagale
- Head and neck paraganglioma
- Pheochromocytoma
Georgia Neurofibromatosis Clinic
Neurofibromatosis is a hereditary tumor disorder that targets the nervous system. Together with Wellstar Children’s Hospital of Georgia, Wellstar Georgia Cancer Center launched the Georgia Neurofibromatosis Clinic, a multidisciplinary clinical and research center that provides comprehensive care to patients of all ages. We manage:- Neurofibromatosis type 1
- Neurofibromatosis type 2