Establishment of compatible institutional registers and network of counseling centers for hereditary gastrointestinal tumors

Principal Investigator: Prof. Zoran Krivokapic, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade

Gastrointestinal tumors are one of the most common causes of mortality in the world, and hereditary gastrointestinal tumors (hGIT) represent 5-10% of all malignancies. Progress in the field of genomics has led to the identification of a large number of genes whose disorders cause the development of gastrointestinal tumors. In order for patients with hGIT and their families to be adequately diagnosed and followed, it is necessary to engage multidisciplinary teams that cover different aspects of the clinical treatment of these patients (surgery, oncology, molecular genetics, etc.). The purpose of this project is to establish a regional network to optimize and harmonize the protocols for the treatment of patients with hGIT and develop a more efficient approach to identifying and monitoring these patients. This project will include the collection and processing of existing data, the establishment of a unified database, the development of procedures for access to samples and data, the optimization of protocols for genetic testing and development, and the advancement of associated genetic counseling and activities in the direction of education of patients and primary health care. It is expected that this project will establish centralized regional coordination for the identification and monitoring of patients with hGIT, as well as adequate support for the families of these patients.