Early Onset and Familial Gastric Cancer Registry

Cancer of the stomach (gastric cancer) often is not diagnosed until it has grown to an advanced stage, when it is less likely to be cured. Ten percent of all cases of gastric cancer are felt to be related to hereditary causes, yet only one gene has been identified so far.

The purpose of this study is to establish a gastric cancer registry. The registry will provide a database of the individuals at highest risk for gastric cancer. Registry participation includes filling out a questionnaire on gastric cancer risk factors and family history of cancer. The registry will also include tissue and blood samples for future studies. These registries are important because they may help physicians better manage gastric cancer.

Participating in the Early Onset and Familial Gastric Cancer Registry can also be educational for families, since it will provide important information to patients, families, and physicians. All of this will help to further the understanding of the genetic causes of gastric cancer, and eventually guide the development of better ways to diagnose, treat, and survey patients with this disease as well as people who may have a higher risk of developing it.