Gastrointestinal cancer

Through our gastrointestinal program, our doctors use imaging exams and diagnostic procedures to detect and diagnose disorders, such as GI cancer. GI cancers affect the gastrointestinal tract and other organs within the digestive system. Our specialists are skilled at detecting cancer in this region of the body, even in its earliest stages.

Some of the diagnostic procedures we offer include:

• Barium enema — An exam involving an X-ray and the injection of a liquid into the rectum through a small tube to detect changes or abnormalities in the colon.
• Biopsy — A procedure involving the extraction of tissues for further examination to detect disease.
• Blood test — A procedure involving the extraction of blood to aid in the diagnosis of disease.
• Colonoscopy — A procedure that allows a physician to view the inside of your colon and rectum to screen for the source of abdominal pain, bleeding and changes in bowel habits.
• Computerized tomography (CT) scan — An imaging exam that combines several X-rays into a 3D computer model of your bones, tissues and organs.
• Digital rectal exam — An examination of your rectum, pelvis and lower belly.
• Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) — A minimally invasive procedure in which ultrasound and endoscopy are combined so that a physician can examine your chest, abdomen and colon.
• Fecal immunochemical test (FIT) — A stool culture test used to detect hidden blood in the stool from the lower intestines.
• Fecal occult blood test — A lab test used to look for hidden blood in the stool from the upper and lower GI tract.
• Lower GI endoscopy — An exam that involves a thin, flexible tube to view the lower GI tract, small intestines, large intestines, rectum and anus.
• Stool DNA test — A lab test used to look for DNA changes in cells and blood in the stool.
• Upper GI endoscopy — A test that involves a thin, flexible tube to examine your esophagus, stomach and first part of the small intestine.
• Upper GI series — An X-ray of the upper digestive tract to find ulcers, tumors and certain diseases.
• Virtual colonoscopy — A minimally invasive alternative to the traditional colonoscopy that involves CT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to view the colon.

We offer a range of surgical and nonsurgical GI cancer treatments. Our team has specialized knowledge and the ability to precisely locate and remove tumors surgically, or to treat them using radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

If surgery is recommended, our surgical oncologists remove cancerous tissue using traditional surgical methods, endoscopy and robotic surgery. Robot-assisted surgery allows our surgeons to operate in the hard-to-reach regions of the digestive system with extreme precision and only a few small incisions.

We also offer cancer rehabilitation to help ease the emotional and physical effects of cancer and cancer treatment.

Histotripsy

Histotripsy, is a form of focused ultrasound that uses high-amplitude, very short pulses to mechanically liquefy tumors within the liver. This leading-edge technology is non-invasive, highly precise and can be done in an outpatient setting.

Oncology conferences provide a forum where our specialists from radiation oncology, medical oncology, hepatology, surgery and pathology all work together to determine the best plan of care and quickest time to treatment for a number of people in their care. Our multispecialty team of physicians and cancer specialists are proud to offer you additional resources, such as:

• Access to early-phase clinical research trials and cutting-edge therapies
• Connections to The Liver and Pancreas Institute at Research Medical Center, a group focused on diseases of the liver, pancreas and biliary tract
• Guidance and support from highly trained and compassionate GI navigators
• Genetic counseling and genetic risk assessment for those who have concerns about their personal or family history of cancer
• Molecular profiling to tailor treatment based on the genetic profile of your cancer