These diseases are caused by a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Children and adolescents with rare tumors often have an increased risk of developing the disease because they have similar cases in their family.

The IPP surveys the personal cancer history of patients participating in research in this area, as well as their family members, in order to identify whether there is a predisposition to developing a complex disease.

Cases are identified and receive counseling and study of genetic cancer risk estimates.