Hereditary Cancer & Genetics

Erin E. Salo-Mullen, MS, CGC

Pictured: Erin Salo-Mullen

I am a genetic counselor who specializes in caring for and advising patients and families who may have an inherited predisposition to gastrointestinal cancers. I work directly with the three gastrointestinal cancer registries at Memorial Sloan-Kettering: the Hereditary Colorectal Cancer Family Registry, the Early-Onset and Familial Gastric Cancer Registry, and the Pancreatic Tumor Registry.

In addition to my clinical work and research in cancer genetics, I am interested in studying public health topics related to genetic conditions.

Location

New York City

Phone

646-888-4050

Education

MS, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and M. D. Anderson Cancer Center

Certifications

American Board of Genetic Counseling

Clinical Expertise

Genetic Predisposition to Cancer; Cancer Risk Counseling; Cancer Genetics Clinical Research

cancer (KAN-ser)

A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade nearby tissues. Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma is a cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is a cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is a cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood. Lymphoma and multiple myeloma are cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system. Central nervous system cancers are cancers that begin in the tissues of the brain and spinal cord. Also called malignancy.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

clinical (KLIH-nih-kul)

Having to do with the examination and treatment of patients.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

colorectal (KOH-loh-REK-tul)

Having to do with the colon or the rectum.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

counseling (KOWN-suh-ling)

The process by which a professional counselor helps a person cope with mental or emotional distress, and understand and solve personal problems.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

counselor (KOWN-seh-ler)

A specialist who talks to patients and their families about emotional and personal matters, and can help them make decisions. Also called mental health counselor.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

familial

A phenotype or trait that occurs with greater frequency in a given family than in the general population; familial traits may have a genetic and/or nongenetic etiology.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

gastric (GAS-trik)

Having to do with the stomach.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

gastrointestinal (GAS-troh-in-TES-tih-nul)

Refers to the stomach and intestines. Also called GI.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

genetic (jeh-NEH-tik)

Inherited; having to do with information that is passed from parents to offspring through genes in sperm and egg cells.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

genetic predisposition (jeh-NEH-tik PREE-dih-spuh-ZIH-shun)

An inherited increase in the risk of developing a disease. Also called genetic susceptibility.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

genetics (jeh-NEH-tix)

The study of genes and heredity. Heredity is the passing of genetic information and traits (such as eye color and an increased chance of getting a certain disease) from parents to offspring.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

hereditary (huh-REH-dih-tayr-ee)

Transmitted from parent to child by information contained in the genes.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

inherited (in-HAYR-ih-ted)

Transmitted through genes that have been passed from parents to their offspring (children).

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

M

In chemistry, M is the amount of a substance that has 6.023 x 10(23) atoms or molecules of that substance. Also called mole (chemical).

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

pancreatic (PAN-kree-A-tik)

Having to do with the pancreas.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

tumor (TOO-mer)

An abnormal mass of tissue that results when cells divide more than they should or do not die when they should. Tumors may be benign (not cancer), or malignant (cancer). Also called neoplasm.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)