Gastrointestinal Cancer Program

Our Multidisciplinary Program

Ridley-Tree Cancer Center’s Gastrointestinal (GI) Cancer Program provides comprehensive medical expertise and supportive care to treat cancers and conditions of the digestive system, including the esophagus, stomach, pancreas, liver, biliary system, colon, rectum and anus. Patients receive advanced treatments and services from a multidisciplinary team of experts in gastroenterology, pathology, surgical oncology, colon and rectal surgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology, diagnostic and interventional radiology, nuclear medicine, clinical research, genetic counseling, oncology nutrition and patient navigation.

Highlights

Minimally-invasive and robotic surgical techniques to remove tumors with greater precision, reduced complications and improved recovery times.

Personalized treatment plans including chemotherapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapy – designed to target your specific tumor type.

Highly sophisticated radiation therapy to treat tumors with minimal exposure to surrounding normal tissue. This includes volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT), image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT), and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT).

Expertise in nuclear medicine, a specialized area of radiology that uses radioactive materials to assess organ function, evaluate for the presence of disease, and effectively treat certain conditions.

A wide array of clinical trials, providing patients with access to the latest treatments available through Ridley-Tree Cancer Center's associations with clinical research networks.

Integrated Patient Navigation, Genetic Counseling, Nutrition, Research and Social Work programs to meet the multi-layered needs of our patients.

A wide range of Supportive Care Services including counseling, support groups, mind-body classes, exercise programs, library resources and education to provide healing and support for patients and caregivers.

Conditions

Our physicians specializing in gastrointestinal cancers have expertise in the management of:

Anal Cancer
Bile Duct Cancer
Colon and Rectal Cancer
Esophageal Cancer
Gallbladder Cancer
Gastric/Stomach Cancer
Gastrointestinal Carcinoid Tumors
Liver Tumors/Cancer
Neuroendocrine Cancer
Pancreatic Cancer
Small Intestine Cancer

Symptoms

Many people with GI cancers experience no symptoms in the early stages of the disease. When symptoms appear, they will likely vary, depending on the size and location of the cancer.

Some common signs or symptoms can include:

Frequent abdominal discomfort including gas, bloating, cramps and pain
Pain with bowel movement
Changes in bowel habits
Blood in the stool
Feeling that the bowel will not empty completely
Problems related to blood loss including anemia, weakness, shortness of breath, pounding heart and chest pain
Unexplained weight loss
Constant tiredness
Vomiting
Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
Difficulty swallowing

Diagnostics and Screening

Based on medical history and symptoms, your doctor may perform some of the following tests:

Endoscopy to check the lining of the esophagus, stomach and small intestine
Colonoscopy to check the colon and rectum
Blood tests to look for changes in the blood
Advanced imaging (X-ray, MRI, ultrasound, CT scan, PET – including DOTATATE-PET scan) to check for abnormal tissue anywhere in the digestive system
Biopsy to obtain a sample of tissue and analyze it
Genetic counseling and testing to understand and manage your risk of having a hereditary cancer

Treatments

At Ridley-Tree Cancer Center, our multidisciplinary approach ensures every patient receives a personalized treatment plan using the latest technologies and therapies available. Our physicians collaborate during weekly multidisciplinary case reviews, traditionally called tumor boards, to decide the most appropriate treatment plan for each patient’s unique situation.

Treatment plans may include: