Fox Chase is home to some of the nation’s top gastrointestinal cancer specialists and support staff–a multidisciplinary team of professionals who work together to diagnose and treat gastrointestinal abnormalities and gastrointestinal cancer. This team includes physicians and oncology-certified nurses with specialty experience in gastrointestinal cancer, and meets regularly for tumor boards where patient cases and potential treatment options are reviewed.
Gastrointestinal cancer patients at Fox Chase benefit from the Center’s robust research program, with cutting-edge clinical trials offered in surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Fox Chase physicians and researchers are influential members of the National Cancer Institute’s NRG Oncology. The Center offers a number of clinical trials and novel treatments that patients with gastrointestinal cancer may not otherwise have access to elsewhere.
Conditions treated by gastrointestinal specialists at Fox Chase include (but are not limited to):
- Colorectal Cancer
- Carcinoid tumors
- Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs)
- Lymphomas
- Sarcomas
- Squamous cell carcinoma
- Liver Cancer
- Primary liver lymphoma.
- Gallbladder cancer
- Bile duct cancer (cholangiocarcinoma)
- Liver metastases
- Neuroendocrine Tumors
- Pancreatic Cancer
- Adenocarcinoma
- Pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms or tumors
- Gastric and Esophageal Cancers
- Adenocarcinoma
- Squamous cell carcinoma
- Small cell carcinoma
- Carcinoid tumors
- Stomach lymphoma
Our Approach to Treatment
At Fox Chase, we offer a wide range of treatments specifically designed for people with gastrointestinal cancers. Alongside these treatments, we conduct unique clinical trials that are rarely found at other institutions. Treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy (systemic therapy), and specialized molecular targeted therapies, giving patients more choices unique to their condition. Our approach to caring for gastrointestinal cancer involves experts from various medical fields working together closely within our clinical departments, including:
- Clinical Genetics:
- Clinical genetics focuses on identifying genetic factors that may predispose individuals to gastrointestinal cancers.
- Our clinical genetics team utilizes genetic testing and counseling to assess the risk of hereditary gastrointestinal cancers and tailor preventive strategies accordingly.
- Diagnostic Imaging:
- Diagnostic imaging plays a crucial role in the early detection and staging of gastrointestinal cancers.
- Our advanced imaging technologies, including MRI, CT scans, and PET scans, allow for precise visualization and characterization of gastrointestinal tumors.
- Hematology/Oncology:
- Hematology/oncology specialists specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of cancers affecting the gastrointestinal tract.
- Our team of hematologists/oncologists provides comprehensive care, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapies, to effectively manage gastrointestinal cancers.
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medicine:
- The Department of Gastrointestinal Medicine focuses on managing gastrointestinal symptoms and complications associated with cancer and its treatment.
- Our gastroenterologists and nutritionists work closely with patients to optimize digestive health and improve quality of life during and after cancer treatment.
- Pathology:
- Pathologists analyze tissue samples to diagnose gastrointestinal cancers and determine their molecular characteristics.
- Our pathology team utilizes state-of-the-art techniques to provide accurate diagnostic and prognostic information, guiding personalized treatment decisions.
- Radiation Oncology:
- Radiation oncologists specialize in delivering targeted radiation therapy to gastrointestinal tumors while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues.
- Our radiation oncology team employs advanced techniques such as intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) to precisely target tumors and improve treatment outcomes.
- Surgical Oncology :
- Surgical oncologists perform complex surgical procedures to remove gastrointestinal tumors and restore normal digestive function.
- Our surgical oncology team utilizes minimally invasive techniques whenever possible to reduce recovery times and improve patient outcomes.
Additional components of our program that ensure comprehensive care for gastrointestinal cancer patients include:
- Gastrointestinal cancer nurse navigators
- Survivor clinics
- Pain and palliative care program
