Gastrointestinal Cancer

The anus lies at the end of the large intestine and is the canal that passes stool out of the body. When cancer cells grow out of control in the tissue of the anus, it's called anal cancer. You may have an increased risk of developing this if you have human papillomavirus (HPV). Treatment will vary based on the stage of the cancer and may involve chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and/or surgery.

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Also called appendiceal cancer, cancer in the appendix affects the small organ located close to where the large and small intestines meet. It's a very rare cancer that is typically treated with surgery and/or chemotherapy.

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The bile ducts transport bile between the liver and gallbladder and intestines. Cancer can develop in the bile ducts on the inside or outside of the liver. Bile duct cancer is also known as cholangiocarcinoma.

It's a rare disease, and patients with colitis or certain liver diseases may be at an increased risk of developing this type of cancer. Treatment options will vary based on where the cancer is located, how far it has spread, and whether or not it can be removed with surgery. Bile duct cancer treatment may also involve chemotherapy or radiation therapy as well as palliative surgery to relieve symptoms. In some cases, patients may benefit from a liver transplant.

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Colon cancer can develop in the longest part of the large intestine, most commonly from noncancerous polyps. Often referred to as colorectal cancer when combined with rectal cancer, colon cancer is preventable through regular colonoscopies. During a colonoscopy, a gastroenterologist can remove polyps, which are noncancerous growths that can develop into cancer. Once cancer develops in the colon, surgery is typically the cornerstone of treatment. In some cases, patients also benefit from chemotherapy before or after surgery.

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When cancer begins in the esophagus, it's called esophageal cancer. Esophageal cancer is often associated with smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, and Barrett's esophagus. Because the esophagus is responsible for transporting food from the throat to the stomach, there are special nutritional considerations for patients with esophageal cancer. Treatment will vary but may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and/or targeted therapies that use novel ways to kill cancer cells.

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The gallbladder is a small organ located under the liver. Gallbladder cancer is a rare type of cancer that generally affects adults over 70. People who have a history of gallstones may be at an increased risk of developing the disease. It's difficult to detect early, which means it's often not found until it has spread to other organs. Treatment varies based on the stage of the cancer but may involve surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and/or targeted therapy.

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Gastrointestinal stromal tumor, commonly called GIST, is a rare type of sarcoma that forms along the gastrointestinal tract, but mostly starts in the stomach or small intestine.

Surgery is the standard treatment, but not all GISTs can be removed. Our clinical trials have studied the newest drugs available to target GIST, including the first targeted therapy developed for GIST. These drugs do not cure the disease, but they do help some tumors stop growing or shrink, which has extended the survival rate for patients with recurrent or metastatic GIST.

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As one of the largest organs in the body, the liver is designed to help you digest food. When cancer begins in the liver, it's called primary liver cancer. More commonly, cancer spreads from other organs in the body to the liver, which is called liver metastases. Both types of liver cancer are treated differently but may involve surgery, interventional radiology, systemic therapies, and other treatment options.

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The pancreas is a small gland in the abdomen located between the stomach and the intestines. There are many different types of tumors that can develop in the pancreas. Most pancreatic cancers begin in the pancreas ducts, but occasionally, neuroendocrine tumors develop in the islet cells. Each treatment approach varies based on the characteristics of the cancer. We may recommend surgery, and our surgeons are experts in performing complex traditional surgery as well as minimally invasive procedures. Treatment may also include chemotherapy, and/or radiation therapy, as well as state-of-the-art clinical trials which offer new approaches for treating the disease.

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When cancer begins in the rectum, it's called rectal cancer or colorectal cancer, when grouped with colon cancer. Rectal cancer can often be prevented through regular colonoscopies, which allow doctors to find and remove polyps, or noncancerous growths that can develop into cancer over time. Treatment for rectal cancer typically involves complex surgery, and our surgeons are experienced in minimally invasive procedures that preserve the sphincter, a muscle that is necessary for normal bathroom function. Some patients also benefit from radiation and/or chemotherapy before or after surgery.

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The small intestine is part of the digestive system, helping to break down food and absorb nutrients. When cancer develops in the small intestine, it's called small intestine cancer or small bowel cancer. It's a rare cancer and treatment options vary based on whether the tumor can be removed by surgery. Other treatment options may include chemotherapy or radiation therapy, as well as radiosensitizers that may make tumors more responsive to radiation therapy.

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Stomach cancer (gastric cancer) occurs when cancerous cells develop in the lining of the stomach. While stomach cancer can be deadly, survival rates are improving thanks to advances in staging and surgical techniques. Getting an accurate diagnosis is an important step that guides personalized treatment from our multidisciplinary team. Treatment may involve surgery, and some patients are candidates for minimally invasive or robotic approaches that result in less risk and faster recoveries. Chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy may also play a role in treatment, and we help to manage any symptoms and side effects of these treatments from the beginning of care.

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