Pediatric Hereditary Cancer Clinic

The UCSF Pediatric Hereditary Cancer Clinic cares for children and families with genetic mutations that increase their risk for cancer.

Our services include:

• Genetic counseling and testing for patients and their families
• Personalized recommendations for long-term monitoring based on genetic test results and family history
• Coordination of follow-up care, including cancer prevention and monitoring, with referrals to other UCSF specialty clinics, as needed

This clinic is part of the UCSF Pediatric Cancer Program. Our team of providers includes genetic counselors and pediatric oncologists, as well as a medical geneticist (a doctor who specializes in care for genetic disorders), nurse coordinator and patient navigator. We are dedicated to meeting the unique needs of families who carry mutations linked to hereditary cancers, including by helping them navigate both the psychological and the medical aspects of having an increased cancer risk.

What to expect

If previous genetic testing has shown that your child carries a mutation associated with hereditary cancer, our team will review the findings, talk to you about recent medical research related to your situation, and describe current recommendations for cancer monitoring and prevention. Your child's provider will conduct a physical exam and ask questions to better understand the medical history, including details on the birthing parent's pregnancy and the child's birth and early development. We may recommend additional screening exams or consultations with other specialists.

If your child hasn't had genetic testing, we will review the medical records, collect details on your family health history and give you information on hereditary cancer. We can help you weigh the potential benefits and limitations of testing as you decide whether it's right for your family.

For genetic testing, we typically swab the inside of the cheek or collect a blood sample, then send it to a specialized laboratory where it's tested for mutations associated with a higher chance of developing specific cancers. In some cases, your genetic counselor may recommend additional testing for your child or offer genetic testing to other family members.

As the scientific understanding of hereditary cancer improves, our knowledge and recommendations continue to evolve. We invite each of our patients to enroll in a long-term study that uses your information anonymously in research on hereditary cancer. As part of this study, we will periodically send you updates on relevant advances and also request occasional updates about your family. Our team can tell you more about this and other research opportunities during your appointment.

Before your appointment

We will email you a link to a family history questionnaire or, if you prefer, mail you a paper copy. Please complete the questionnaire before your appointment.

Please send us a copy of the results of any previously performed genetic testing for your child or biologically related family members. If you have difficulty getting the original lab reports, contact our office for assistance.