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Department

Hereditary Cancer Clinic

Empowering families through genetics and early prevention.

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Comprehensive Cancer Care. Providing ethical and accessible treatment since 1954.

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Message from the Head of Department

Dr. Balaji T K

MD, Post Doctoral Fellow (IAP PHO) • Assistant Professor & In-charge
“Our mission is to translate genetic insights into personalized prevention strategies, providing families with the knowledge to manage their cancer risk proactively.”
About the Department

Department Overview

The Hereditary Cancer Clinic focuses on identifying individuals and families at increased risk of cancer due to inherited genetic factors. While most cancers occur sporadically, approximately 8–10% are hereditary, caused by gene mutations passed through families. However, the actual risk in the Indian population, where there is a high rate of consanguineous marriages, is still not clear.

Our clinic offers thorough risk assessment, genetic counselling, and tailored prevention strategies to assist patients and their families in lowering cancer risk and supporting early detection.

When Should You Visit This Department?

If you or a loved one experiences any of these symptoms, consult our specialists:

Cancer diagnosis at a young age (<50 years)
Multiple primary cancers in the same individual
Family history of cancer (2 or more relatives)
Occurrence of rare cancers (e.g., male breast cancer, adrenocortical carcinoma)
Presence of a known familial genetic mutation
Bilateral tumors or multiple distinct primary sites
What We Treat

Conditions Treated

Hereditary Breast & Ovarian Cancer (HBOC)
Lynch Syndrome
Li-Fraumeni Syndrome
Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP)
Retinoblastoma
Pediatric hereditary cancers
Rare cancer predisposition syndromes
How We Treat

Treatment Options

Step 1

  • Risk Assessment — Detailed personal and family history, pedigree analysis, and identification of high-risk individuals.

Step 2

  • Genetic Counseling — Pre-test counseling on benefits/limitations, informed decision-making, and psychosocial support.

Step 3

  • Genetic Testing — Targeted gene testing, multigene panel testing, or whole exome sequencing (by Cancer Biology and Molecular Diagnostics department).

Step 4

  • Personalized Risk Management — Tailored surveillance, risk-reducing strategies (medical/surgical), and lifestyle modification.

Step 5

  • Family-Based Care — Cascade testing for relatives and preventive strategies for family members.

Request an Appointment

Schedule a consultation with our specialists

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Meet the Team

Our Experts

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Dr. Balaji T K

Assistant Professor

Contact the Department

genetics@cancerinstitutewia.org

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