The Natural History of Solid Organ Cancer Stem Cells (SOCSC)

Background:

• Researchers are trying to learn what causes certain types of cancer to spread to other organs in the body (metastasis). Cancer tumors may produce a very small number of specific cells (cancer stem cells) that cause the tumors to grow in other organs throughout the body.
• By examining cancer tumor tissue, normal tissue, blood, bone marrow, and other body fluids, researchers may determine whether these samples contain cancer stem cells. Cancer stem cells may provide information on whether the cancer will come back or spread before other routine x-ray studies or lab tests indicate its presence.

Objectives:

• To acquire a collection of solid organ cancer stem cells for future study.
• To analyze solid organ cancer stem cells from various types of cancer on a genetic level.
• To determine if solid organ cancer stem cells are present in the blood or bone marrow.

Eligibility:

• Patients 16 years of age and older who have solid organ cancer (cancer in the liver, colon, rectum, anus, pancreas, stomach, breast, skin, muscles, fat, connective tissue, uterus, ovary, cervix, vagina, vulva, or inner lining of the abdomen) or a precancerous growth, and who are scheduled to have a biopsy or surgery to remove the cancer as part of their treatment.

Design:

• This is a prospective trial designed to procure solid organ cancer stem cells before either surgery or biopsy.
• All patients registered to this trial will undergo surgery to extirpate their cancer in the NCI
• Prior to surgery or biopsy, 8 tablespoons of blood will be drawn.
• During the surgery or biopsy, a sample of normal tissue will be removed along with the cancerous or precancerous tissue. If separate consent is given, samples of bone marrow will also be taken.
• After discharge, patients will return to the clinic for routine visits every month for the first 3 months following surgery, and then about every 3 months for 2 years, and then every 6 months for 3 years. During the visits, patients will have routine blood and imaging studies done, and researchers will take additional blood samples (about 8 tablespoons at each visit) and optional bone marrow samples (4 teaspoons every 6 months) to be used for research.