Novel Colon Cancer Markers in Gastrointestinal Tissue and Biofluids
RATIONALE: Studying samples of tissue, blood, urine, stool, and other biological fluids from patients with cancer and from healthy volunteers undergoing colonoscopy or endoscopy may help doctors identify and learn more about biomarkers related to cancer. PURPOSE: This research study is looking at gastrointestinal biomarkers in tissue and biological fluid samples from patients and participants undergoing colonoscopy, endoscopy, or surgery.
∙ DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
• Undergoing colonoscopy or endoscopy for diagnostic or screening purposes at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center or at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center AND
• Meets 1 of the following criteria:
‣ Diagnosis of gastrointestinal (GI) cancer, polyps, or inflammatory bowel disease
⁃ History of previously treated GI cancer, polyps, or inflammatory bowel disease
∙ PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
• Capable of giving informed consent
• Not mentally or medically impaired
• No bleeding disorder
∙ PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
• See Disease Characteristics