Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center

Patients are being asked to participate in this study because they have a diagnosis of a precancerous gastrointestinal condition, cancer or inflammatory bowel disease. This is a common disease that may be cured or better understood if detected early. One way to do this may be to identify substances called caididate markers in tissue, blood, and urine.

Criteria
 DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

 • 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

 • Healthy volunteer

 • Undergoing colonoscopy or endoscopy for diagnostic or screening purposes at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center or at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center

 PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

 • Hemoglobin ≥ 8.0 g/dL

 • Not pregnant

 • Fertile participants must use effective contraception

 • Capable of giving informed consent

 • Not mentally or medically impaired

 • No bleeding disorder

 PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

 • See Disease Characteristics