Clonal Hematopoiesis of Indeterminant Potential (CHIP) Clinic
The Clonal Hematopoiesis of Indeterminant Potential Clinic, part of ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ’s Perlmutter Cancer Center and its Center for Blood Cancers, seeks to analyze and identify a series of genetic mutations associated with an increased risk of developing hematologic cancer and cardiovascular disease. Patients seen in the clinic receive proactive care to monitor cancer risk and are provided with early intervention for cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Normally, the bone marrow undergoes hematopoiesis, a process in which early stem cells in the bone marrow develop into mature white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. However, during this maturation process, mutations can arise. Several of these mutations are associated with clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminant potential (CHIP).
Having these mutations may increase the risk of developing blood cancers, cardiovascular diseases, and other inflammatory conditions later in life. Cancer survivors and individuals with cardiovascular disease have a higher chance of screening positive for CHIP.
Having CHIP is fairly common and can be identified in more than 10 percent of adults. Most patients with CHIP mutations are not at risk for developing co-morbid conditions, while others are at higher risk.
If you are seeing an oncologist, at Perlmutter Cancer Center, you are screened for CHIP regardless of the kind of tumor you may have. If you have the CHIP mutation and are found to be at high risk, your primary oncologist will refer you to the CHIP clinic for preventive care.
Our experts in the CHIP clinic screen patients to determine those at high risk of developing a CHIP complication by assessing each patient's molecular profile, laboratory markers, and pre-existing comorbidities.