Looking for more information on what a genetic council session is all about.

I think I sent something but it did not show.  Maybe I had sent it under something else.  Please if you could would you post more information on what a genetic council session covers and what I should expect.  I have an appointment with someone in my area and have no clue as to what it is all about.  We are looking at endocrine involvement and possible MEN 1  My aunt has a pituitary tumor just as I do and much more going on.  Are these tumors that hereditary and what causes this hereditary formation if not MEN 1 involved.  Looking for more understanding on the DNA test process.  Thank you Diane.

[Lisa Kessler, MS, CGC]

You have asked several important questions about the genetic counseling and testing process as well as about MEN1.  I hope that the information helps prepare you for your upcoming appointment.  

Genetic counselors will ask questions about your family health history and will construct and interpret your family tree.  It might be helpful for you to use the opportunity of an upcoming genetic counseling appointment to learn more about the health and medical conditions of your family members.   A genetic counseling session may also include a description of the condition that you are being evaluated for, and a discussion of the availability of genetic testing including information about the benefits and limitations of the testing.

As you may know, Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is a genetic condition that includes different types of more than 20 endocrine and non-endocrine tumors.  A pituitary tumor is one of the endocrine tumors that can be found in MEN1.  This condition is inherited an autosomal dominant pattern.  Someone with MEN1 has a 50% chance of passing this condition on to each child s/he has.

Genetic testing is available for this condition.  The gene associated with this condition is called, MEN1.  Your genetic counselor will discuss information about how the test is performed, what type of sample is needed (usually a small blood sample), and what the test can and cannot tell you.