NetWellness Cancer Genetics

What Makes a Good Geneticist?

Duane Culler PhD, MS — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 22:02:00 EST

Question:

Hello, I am currently a senior in high school, and I`m really interested in genetics and possibly going to pursue higher education in that field. Since you are no doubt a busy and important man, I am just going to ask you one question: What types of character traits can make a good geneticist, an . . .

Answer: There are a variety of people who work in the field of genetics; some are basic researchers who work at universities teaching and doing basic research on genetics; some work in clinical laboratories supervising clinical testing; some work in biotech industries; and some are clinical medical genetici . . .

Ask an Expert: Duane Culler PhD, MS, Cancer Genetics

CA 19.9

Duane Culler PhD, MS — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 03:02:00 EST

Question:

In year 2009 I have did my tumor marker check up and CA19.9 shows 35u/ml. Is this a normal range? Should I need to do the test again yearly, weekly to see the range? When I seek the doctor`s advice, he mentioned nothing to be worried, and the range should not go beyond 37u/ml. . . .

Answer: This falls into the area of medical management. Since you mentioned that you spoke with a doctor, I encourage to you discuss your concerns with him. He will be able to advise you about the normal range, whether further follow-up is needed, and when to have the test repeated.

Ask an Expert: Duane Culler PhD, MS, Cancer Genetics

Is Cancer Inherited?

Duane Culler PhD, MS — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 04:01:00 EST

Question: My husband is of 25yrs. 2yrs back his mother died of stomach cancer. 7yrs back his uncle (mothers brother) died of leukemia. My husband has 2 brothers and he`s the youngest. Coming to my question, my husband has only one testicle, and I heard some where that this may lead to cancer.&n . . .

Answer:

Men with a condition known as cryptorchidism (in which one or both of the testicles do not descend into the scrotum) are known to be at increased risk for testicular cancer. It is not clear if this is the situation for your husband, so it might be a good idea for him to see a urologist to d . . .

Ask an Expert: Duane Culler PhD, MS, Cancer Genetics

Brac1 and Brac2 in Men

Doreen Agnese MD — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 12:01:00 EST

Question: I am a 53 year old woman with a family history of breast cancer. My mother had it her first time at age 41 and then again at 51. I am also of Ashkenazi descent. I recently had the genetic testing and it came back normal. If mine was normal, should my two brothers be concerned and look into testing?

Answer:

The fact that yours is normal is good, but since your mother didn't test, we don't know whether or not she could be affected, so your brothers could be at risk. You may not have inherited a mutation, but they could have. If your mother can test, and tests negative, they would not need . . .

Ask an Expert: Doreen Agnese MD, Cancer Genetics

Peace of Mind, Father`s Death

Duane Culler PhD, MS — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:10:00 EST

Question: I want to start by thanking you for your time. Here is my history/question.

My father died at age 47 after 14 months of being diagnosed with Cancer. I was in college and my Mom can't recall all the facts as to specifically the type. The death certificate stated "clear cell metastic carcino . . .

Answer: Without further information about the specific kind of cancer your father had, it is very difficult to give you a precise answer. In general, cancers occur at earlier ages in people with hereditary cancer susceptibily than in people with sporadic cancer, and your father was certainly youn . . .

Ask an Expert: Duane Culler PhD, MS, Cancer Genetics

Is Cancer Genetic

Duane Culler PhD, MS — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:10:00 EST

Question: There is a guy who I know, both his parents died of cancer when he was very young, i.e. both parents were less than 40 when they died of cancer. I don't know what type of cancer as I haven't had an opportunity to ask this question (it appears very rude). We both like each other but I am not sure if . . .

Answer: Without more detailed information it is impossible to answer your questions.

In most families with herditary cancer cancer susceptibility cancers develop at earlier ages. So when we learn about a cancer diagnosis at a young age, we generally think that there is l . . .

Ask an Expert: Duane Culler PhD, MS, Cancer Genetics

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Duane Culler PhD, MS — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 00:09:00 EST

Question:

My wife has NHL at 23 years old. She has no problem for 12 years in annual check ups. Her family do not have cancer history. I had read that for cancer with significant chance of inheritance or family clustering, the cancer usually occur in young age or has younger onset. However, I als . . .

Answer:

You are correct on both issues; in families with hereditary cancer susceptibility, cancers usually occur at earlier ages than is typical in the generally population. However, NHL and Hodgkins lymphoma are more common in younger individuals. So, in the absence of a significant family history . . .

Ask an Expert: Duane Culler PhD, MS, Cancer Genetics

FAP

Doreen Agnese MD — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 10:08:00 EST

Question: Hi, my father died from colon cancer, I`m 45 and FAP runs in my family....I was supposed to get a colonoscopy years ago but they wouldn`t do it without sedation (I`m allergic and had a terrible reaction in the past so I would never do it again)....so the test was never done. I started to have colon . . .

Answer:

It's not too late to worry about FAP. It sounds like you should have a colonoscopy right away, especially if you are having symptoms.

Ask an Expert: Doreen Agnese MD, Cancer Genetics

Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma

Duane Culler PhD, MS — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 05:08:00 EST

Question: Dear sir /Madam, My elder sister had NHL 10 years ago, when she is 22 years old. Otherwise,there is no history of cancer in the family. She has no problem in annual check up. Is her son at an increased chance of NHL in view of her early onset?

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