The WU-PE-CGS study is a research study designed to help us answer medical questions that right now don’t have answers. Its goal is to help us better understand cancers that we know less about than others. These cancers include cholangiocarcinoma (a rare bile duct cancer); colorectal cancer in Black Americans under age 50; and multiple myeloma in Black Americans.
To answer these questions, the research study wants to learn more about people with these cancers. To learn more, the study asks people who participate to give permission to test their genetics and look at their medical records, as well as to answer questions in surveys and interviews.
People who participate will have the option of getting genetic testing results back and genetic counseling about their results.
This will help the study understand new information about genes that can cause cancer growth in these cancers and can improve cancer treatment and follow up care. It will also may improve the way that genetic testing results are developed and given to cancer patients.
What are you asked to do if you take part in the WU-PE-CGS study?
- Complete a small number of surveys and interviews over the length of the study (up to 4 years).
- Allow study researchers to review your medical history, health records, and results of cancer-related testing.
- Allow collection and genetic testing of a small sample of your cancer tissue, biopsy blood collection, or bone marrow from the health system where you had your cancer care.
- Provide small blood samples (up to six ) or saliva samples for genetic testing.
What do you get if you take part in the WU-PE-CGS study?
- Be a part of important research that can help reduce inequality in cancer.
- Option to get results of genetic testing.
- Option to receive genetic counseling
- No cost to participate
Cancers that are part of our study
Cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer) is a rare cancer.
You can take part in the WU-PE-CGS study if:
- Diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer)
- Diagnosed at age 18 or older
What Is Bile Duct Cancer (Cholangiocarcinoma)?
Bile duct cancer is a rare disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the bile ducts. Bile duct cancer is also called cholangiocarcinoma.
A network of tubes, called ducts, connects the liver, gallbladder, and small intestine. This network begins in the liver where many small ducts collect bile (a fluid made by the liver to break down fats during digestion). The small ducts come together to form the right and left hepatic ducts, which lead out of the liver. The two ducts join outside the liver and form the common hepatic duct. The cystic duct connects the gallbladder to the common hepatic duct. Bile from the liver passes through the hepatic ducts, common hepatic duct, and cystic duct and is stored in the gallbladder.
When food is being digested, bile stored in the gallbladder is released and passes through the cystic duct to the common bile duct and into the small intestine.
Types of bile duct cancer
There are two types of bile duct cancer:
- Intrahepatic bile duct cancer: This type of cancer forms in the bile ducts inside the liver. Only a small number of bile duct cancers are intrahepatic. Intrahepatic bile duct cancers are also called intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas.
- Extrahepatic bile duct cancer: This type of cancer forms in the bile ducts outside the liver. The two types of extrahepatic bile duct cancer are perihilar bile duct cancer and distal bile duct cancer:
- Perihilar bile duct cancer: This type of cancer is found in the area where the right and left bile ducts exit the liver and join to form the common hepatic duct. Perihilar bile duct cancer is also called a Klatskin tumor or perihilar cholangiocarcinoma.
- Distal bile duct cancer: This type of cancer is found in the area where the ducts from the liver and gallbladder join to form the common bile duct. The common bile duct passes through the pancreas and ends in the small intestine. Distal bile duct cancer is also called extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. More…(via National Cancer Institute)
Source: National Cancer Institute
Colorectal cancer is becoming more common in people under age 50. It is also more common in Black Americans.
You can take part in the WU-PE-CGS study if:
- Diagnosis of colorectal cancer
- Diagnosed between ages 18 – 49
- Identify as Black American
What Is Colorectal Cancer?
Colon cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the colon. The colon is part of the body’s digestive system. The digestive system removes and processes nutrients (vitamins, minerals,carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and water) from foods and helps pass waste material out of the body. The digestive system is made up of the esophagus, stomach, and the small and large intestines. The colon (large bowel) is the main part of the large intestine and is about 5 feet long. Together, the rectum and anal canal make up the last part of the large intestine and are about 6-8 inches long. The anal canal ends at the anus (the opening of the large intestine to the outside of the body). More…(via National Cancer Institute)
Source: National Cancer Institute
You can take part in the WU-PE-CGS study if:
- Diagnosis of multiple myeloma
- Identify as Black American
Multiple Myeloma is more common in Black Americans.
What is Multiple Myeloma?
In multiple myeloma, abnormal plasma cells (myeloma cells) build up in the bone marrow and form tumors in many bones of the body. These tumors may keep the bone marrow from making enough healthy blood cells. Normally, the bone marrow makes stem cells (immature cells) that become three types of mature blood cells:
- Red blood cells that carry oxygen and other substances to all tissues of the body.
- White blood cells that fight infection and disease.
- Platelets that form blood clots to help prevent bleeding.
As the number of myeloma cells increases, fewer red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets are made. The myeloma cells also damage and weaken the bone. More…(via National Cancer Institute)
Source: National Cancer Institute
How Do I Join the WashU PE-CGS Study?
Email: pecgs@wustl.edu
Phone: 314-273-2434
Information about other research studies that are enrolling participants
For information about other research studies that are enrolling – as well as general information about taking part in research studies, visit:
- Washington University | Participating in Research Studies.
- Washington University | Volunteers for Health
X/Twitter: @WashU_PECGS
Division: Public Health Sciences
Email: pecgs@wustl.edu
Phone: 314-273-2434