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UT Southwestern Medical Center's Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center offers gastrointestinal cancer patients some of the most advanced therapies available in the nation for the treatment of cancers of the esophagus, stomach, bowel, pancreas, liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, colon, and rectum. Our specialists are widely recognized as leading experts in the use of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy for the effective treatment of these cancers within the gastrointestinal tract.
All experts from these oncologic specialties work closely together with the common goal to combine various treatment forms in order to achieve the best possible results of cancer therapy. This Gastrointestinal Cancer Working Group is including the latest research findings in developing new treatment protocols to specifically address the treatment needs of GI cancers of all stages. These clinical trials give our patients access to treatments often unavailable at other health-care facilities. Depending on patients’ specific conditions, advanced therapies that show particular promise may be available years before they are offered to the public.
In addition to surgical oncologists, radiation oncologists and medical oncologists, experts from other specialties such as gastroenterology, diagnostic radiology, interventional radiology, hepatology and transplantation actively participate in the diagnosis and treatment of many gastrointestinal cancers. All GI Cancer Working Group members are dedicated to using the most effective and minimally invasive procedures possible to identify and to treat gastrointestinal cancer. During the initial consultation, a UT Southwestern gastrointestinal cancer specialist will speak with patients, carefully listen while they explain symptoms and medical history, and perform a thorough examination. During the treatment course, our physicians carefully evaluate and closely monitor each patient’s progress to attain the best possible outcome.
All information regarding new patients with proven or suspected gastrointestinal cancer will be discussed by expert oncologists during a weekly multidisciplinary GI cancer disease-oriented team prior to any treatment being initiated. This allows for thorough treatment planning of the best combination therapy available, which frequently involves our institutional trials. This step ensures no treatments are given that may preclude an optional customized multimodality therapy considered best for each individual patient.
Our program is also designed to identify and help patients who are at risk for developing cancer. Individuals with a family history of digestive cancers or pre-cancerous polyps can take advantage of UT Southwestern’s gastrointestinal cancer specialists and state-of-the-art medical facilities to obtain genetic counseling and to receive measures to prevent the occurrence or further spread of cancer. After thoroughly examining test results and the findings of genetic counseling to determine family gastrointestinal cancer history, we establish a team of physicians that will meet with patients to discuss the most effective, customized treatment plan to meet the individual’s specific needs.
