Name of the Trial
Genetic and Etiologic Multidisciplinary Study of Familial Testicular Cancer (NCI-02-C-0178). See the protocol summary at http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/NCI-02-C-0178.

Principal Investigators
Dr. Mark H. Greene (protocol chair), Dr. Joan L. Kramer, and Dr. Mary L. McMaster, NCI Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, Clinical Genetics Branch

Why Is This Study Important?
Testicular cancer is a relatively uncommon cancer, but one that has disproportionate importance because it affects young men in the prime of their reproductive and working years. The causes of testicular cancer are unknown, but evidence suggests that some people may have a genetic predisposition to developing this disease.

Researchers at NCI are studying families that have multiple cases of testicular cancer. Studying this population may lead to the identification of a gene or genes that make people more susceptible to testicular cancer.

"Our goal is to identify genes related to testicular cancer susceptibility and to define the full spectrum of conditions that are part of testicular cancer syndrome," said Dr. Kramer.

"Together with our colleagues in the International Testicular Cancer Linkage Consortium, we are trying to clarify the mechanism of testicular cancer risk in these families," Dr. Greene added.

Who Can Join This Study?
Researchers seek to enroll approximately 750 people aged 12 and over who have a familial history of testicular germ cell tumor. See the full list of eligibility criteria at http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/NCI-02-C-0178.

Where Is This Study Taking Place?
This study is taking place at the NIH Clinical Research Center in Bethesda, Md.

Who to Contact
For more information, visit the study Web site at http://familial-testicular-cancer.cancer.gov or call the NCI Clinical Studies Support Center (CSSC) at 1-888-NCI-1937. The CSSC provides information about studies taking place on the NIH campus in Bethesda, Md. The call is toll free and confidential.


An archive of "Featured Clinical Trial" columns is available at
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