Your Medical Team for Gastrointestinal Cancers
Institutes of Excellence-like the University of Colorado Cancer Center-are known for attracting the best and brightest doctors due to their unique research and educational opportunities. This means each doctor on your care team has superior training in his or her area of expertise. These doctors then bring their specialties together to create a patient-focused approach for each individual patient.
The University of Colorado Cancer Center Gastrointestinal Oncology Program is home to respected multidisciplinary medical and scientific team of experts who specialize in the care of gastrointestinal or digestive system cancer.
Each doctor on the team has a different area of expertise in gastrointestinal cancer. Together, they combine their skills to determine and provide what’s best for you-an individual patient-based upon the type of cancer you have, how far it has spread, and even based upon your genes.
The UCCC Gastrointestinal Tumor Program Team:
- Provides state-of-the-art care for those diagnosed with gastrointestinal cancer
- Is recognized as a center for developing and setting new standards in the treatment of gastrointestinal and related cancers
- Is recognized as a center for second opinions on all aspects of gastrointestinal cancer care
The team includes:
Medical Oncologists – Oncologists are doctors who study and treat cancer. Medical oncologists focus on drug-based treatments to control, slow or kill cancer cells. These doctors often function as the “quarterbacks” of the multidisciplinary team. Our medical oncologists are:
- Experts in determining which drugs work in which people
- Experts in combining anti-cancer drugs with radiotherapy and surgery for the best possible outcomes
- Experts in developing new drugs for treating lung cancer
Radiation Oncologists (Radiotherapists) – Radiation oncologists use X-rays and other types of medical radiation to control or kill cancer cells in the body. Our radiation oncologists are:
- Experts in delivering high doses of radiotherapy very accurately in a small number of visits (“stereotactic body radiation therapy”)
- Experts in combining radiation therapy with other treatments such as surgery or chemotherapy
Surgical Oncologists – Surgical oncologists are part of the multidisciplinary cancer team who specialize in operations that remove cancer from different areas of the body. They:
- Consider the biology of the disease when planning surgery
- Use innovative techniques that bring together complex surgical procedures
- Understand how chemotherapy, radiation and other treatments may affect how you tolerate an operation
- Study cancer at the bedside and in the laboratory
Our team also includes:
- Doctors who specialize in the digestive system, called gastroenterologists
- Liver transplant specialists
- World experts in diagnosing and classifying different cancers using microscopy and other laboratory techniques, called pathologists
- National leaders in preventing colorectal and other kinds of gastrointestinal cancer
- National leaders in interpreting X-rays and specialist scans, called radiologists
- National leaders in using CT scans and other techniques to screen for cancers in high-risk individuals
- Nurses with advance degrees and training, called nurse practitioners
- Oncology social workers, who help you manage the stresses associated with cancer diagnosis and treatment and help you find needed resources
- Alternative therapists who provide massage, acupuncture, biofeedback and other therapies as an optional part of your treatment program
How to Schedule an Appointment
You may schedule any of our medical oncologists, radiation oncologists or thoracic surgeons directly.
If you are uncertain which specialist to see, or if you are coming for a second opinion, you might start with a medical oncologist. These doctors are comfortable working as your guide within the multidisciplinary team. Bring as much information about your diagnosis, past treatments and scans with you as you can.
Request an appointment now.