Gastrointestinal Cancer

The family of gastrointestinal cancer includes cancers arising from the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, rectum, anus, pancreas, gallbladder, liver, and biliary tree. The treatment varies depending on the tumor type, location, size, and extent of disease. Standard treatment methods include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and a combination of two or three of these modalities. The optimal treatment for each patient is determined by a group of specialists with expertise in gastrointestinal cancers.

UMMG radiation oncologists are equipped with special tools to maximize treatment outcome and minimize side effects. These include 3-D conformal therapy, intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), intraluminal brachytherapy and intraoperative brachytherapy.

Radiation is used to minimize the risk of local or regional recurrence in patients at high risk. In these patients, radiation may be combined with chemotherapy to enhance its effects. Radiation can also be used to help relieve the symptoms of gastrointestinal cancer.