Time Lapse to Cancer-Defining the Transition from Polyp to Cancer

In the US, CRC incidence has declined with uptake in colonoscopy for early detection and removal of polyps, the precursor lesion, can stop a cancer from developing but in spite of this, CRC remains the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. One third of people who undergo screening colonoscopy will have adenomatous polyps, but less than 5% of the time are these polyps presumed to go on to develop into cancer. Why does one polyp develop into cancer while another one that looks very similar does not. In this proposal we will identify what molecular genetic changes in the genome, in the mRNA expression and genetic methylation patterns will distinguish a polyp that has already transformed into cancer from one that has not.]]>
Inclusion Criteria: Patients scheduled for GI tract cancer; polyp or inflammatory bowel disease surgery or endoscopy for clinical reasons Patients with known, suspected or prior history of GI tract cancer or polyps, or family history of gastric cancer, small bowel cancer, GIST and/or colorectal cancer and/or inflammatory bowel disease and who are undergoing endoscopy as part of their medical evaluation. Patients with indications for endoscopy other than GI tract cancer, polyps and who are scheduled for endoscopy as part of their medical evaluation. Age ≥ 18 Patients found to have a blood culture positive for Strep Bovis (infantarius, coli, gallolyticus or pasteurianus Exclusion Criteria: Individuals who do not comprehend English (i.e., participants must be able to read and sign a consent form without the assistance of an interpreter.) Age < 18 Individuals who are unable to sign consent (e.g., mentally challenged, those declared legally incompetent). Individuals regarded as belonging to a vulnerable population (e.g., prisoners). ]]>