Hereditary Cancer

Georgia Cancer Center’s Hereditary Cancer Clinic is patient- and family-centered with dedicated resources to support patients and their families.

There are approximately 20 hereditary cancer syndromes that are caused by over 80 genes, this includes hereditary breast cancer and ovarian cancer and hereditary colon cancer. Each syndrome is associated with a specific subset of cancers and other health problems. The field of hereditary cancer is experiencing an explosive growth in knowledge that we use to help our patients avoid life-threatening cancer.

We encourage medical specialists from around the region to contact us to discuss challenging cases by sending an email to johenson@augusta.edu.

For patients who live far away, we offer virtual visits that can include risk assessment, ongoing surveillance, and coordination of care. These appointments are scheduled the same as in-person appointments at 706-721-6744.

• Genetic Counseling: We review your family’s cancer history to determine if there is a hereditary cancer syndrome specific to you. If there is a likelihood of increased cancer risk, we will go over the benefits and limitations of genetic testing and arrange for you to be tested.
  
  If you have previously had a genetic test showing a mutation, we'll go over any new questions you might have, discuss recent advances, and review current recommendations for cancer monitoring and prevention.
  
  Since the syndromes are hereditary, other family members can be at higher risk for cancer, so we actively encourage potentially at-risk relatives to seek counseling and testing.
• Genetic Testing: A blood or saliva sample is sent to a specialized laboratory where DNA sequencing is conducted for hereditary cancer mutations.
  
  If a tumor has already been removed, that tissue is usually included in testing along with blood or saliva.
• Surveillance Planning: If patients are found to have a hereditary cancer syndrome with increased cancer risk, a detailed plan for surveillance is recommended. There are approximately 40 different types of specialized surveillance tests that are carefully chosen to give the best chance of early detection.

Our Hereditary Cancer Clinic (HCC) provides genetic cancer counseling, hereditary cancer risk assessment, genetic testing/results interpretation, hereditary cancer surveillance planning and management, and coordination of subspecialist referrals. Family testing is encouraged.

We are committed to seeing each patient as soon as possible. A patient, family member, or referring physician can request an appointment. Urgent referrals are welcome. 

Patients:

To make an appointment or place a referral, call: 706-721-6744

For your first appointment, please bring:

• Picture ID and insurance information. 
• Send us a copy of any original genetic test reports for you or your family members. If you have difficulty getting the original report, we can help you. 
• Complete a Family History Form and bring it to your appointment. 

Referring Physicians:

Call: 706-721-6458 - Time sensitive referrals are welcome.
Ask to speak with John W. Henson, MD, or Charlaine Conger, NP.

Physician referrals: Referral Form/Fax

Pancreatic Cancer Screening Program

In May 2023, the Georgia Cancer Center at Augusta University Health launched its Pancreatic Cancer Screening Program in an effort to help people living in Georgia and South Carolina know their risks for developing pancreatic cancer earlier in life. If you have a family history of pancreas cancer or would like to get screened, contact us today. 

Paraganglioma/Pheochromocytoma Clinic

The Paraganglioma/Pheochromocytoma Clinic (PGG-PCC) brings together a multidisciplinary team of specialists 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, the Medical College of Georgia has a team with deep experience in their diagnosis, genetics, surveillance, and treatment.

Tumors of the autonomic nervous system have different names depending on their location in the body:

Referral to the PGG-PCC Clinic

Patients may call to make an appointment at any time. Following an initial evaluation that includes review of the individual and family history and evaluation of imaging and laboratory tests, a specialist from the PGG-PCC Clinic assembles appropriate subspecialists into a team for each patient.

Phone: 706-721-6458
Fax: 706-721-0360
Referral Form: Referral Form/Fax
Email: Dr. John W. Henson

 

Georgia Neurofibromatosis Clinic

Neurofibromatosis (NF) is a hereditary disorder that specifically targets the nervous system. Georgia Cancer Center and Children's Hospital of Georgia have opened the new Georgia Neurofibromatosis Clinic in Augusta, Georgia to provide comprehensive care to patients of all ages. We manage:

• Neurofibromatosis type 1
• Neurofibromatosis type 2
• Tuberous sclerosis complex

Pediatric Cancer Predisposition Clinic

Some childhood cancers have a hereditary predisposition due to an altered gene that is transmitted from parent to offspring. The Pediatric Cancer Predisposition Clinic at Children's Hospital of Georgia specializes in assessing for this risk through a combination of a patient’s cancer history, family history, and genetic testing. Results can influence patient care directly by influencing treatment recommendations or testing for additional or new cancers for which the patient may be at risk. The results can benefit the family members if they are also at risk.

Phone: 706-721-4929
More information: Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at MCG
Location: Children's Hospital of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia

VHL Clinical Care Center

Von Hippel Lindau syndrome (VHL) is a rare hereditary cancer disorder in which tumors arise in the cerebellum, skull base, spinal cord, and kidneys, as well as other less common sites in the body. Diagnosis and management of patients with VHL is best conducted in a dedicated clinical center, such as the one based at the Georgia Cancer Center.