Gastrointestinal cancer

Gastrointestinal cancer treatment in Austin and Central Texas

If you have been diagnosed with gastrointestinal (GI) cancer, the compassionate cancer team at St. David's HealthCare is here for you. As part of Sarah Cannon, we are committed to offering the highest level of care—from diagnosis to cutting-edge treatment options—for complex GI tumors.

To learn more about our GI cancer services, please call askSARAH at (512) 840-6032.

Features of our complex GI cancer program

The oncology specialists at our hospitals provide advanced treatment for cancers involving the GI tract. We take a multidisciplinary approach to your treatment, including:

• Surgical oncology – Surgical oncologists at our hospitals have specialized knowledge of rare, unusual and complex cancer types and treat many patients with these conditions. They use traditional and minimally invasive surgical techniques to treat these diseases.
• Interventional radiology – Interventional radiologists use radioembolization treatments (selective internal radiation therapy) as well as chemoembolization and radio frequency ablation (RFA).
• Medical and radiation oncology – Medical oncologists offer specialized chemotherapeutic treatment plans. Radiation oncologists deliver external and internal beam radiation therapy to referred patients.
• Gastroenterology/hepatology – Board-certified gastroenterologists offer advanced GI care, including endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) to precisely diagnose and determine the stage of cancer. They also provide palliative drainage and stenting procedures for advanced malignancies.

Types of GI cancer we treat

Your oncologist will work with you to determine the best method of treatment for your conditions. GI cancers we treat include:

• Complex colon, rectal and anal cancer
• Esophageal and gastric cancer
• Hepatobiliary cancer
• Liver metastasis
  
• Neuroendocrine tumors
• Pancreatic cancer
• Retroperitoneal cancer

Hepatobiliary cancer care

Hepatobiliary surgery is a surgical sub-specialty focused on treating cancer and diseases of the liver, pancreas, bile duct and gallbladder. Our hepatobiliary and pancreatic program at St. David’s Medical Center includes advanced non-surgical cancer treatment and treatment for benign diseases, such as cysts, bile duct injuries, inflammatory disorders of the liver, pancreas and gallstone disease.

As one of five hospitals in the U.S. to achieve The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for Hepatobiliary-Pancreas Cancer Center of Excellence Certification and a multidisciplinary team known for their expertise, we strive to provide comprehensive, quality care.

For more information or to refer a patient, please call (512) 544-4026.

What causes hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases?

Various factors can contribute to the development of these diseases, including:

• Viral, bacterial and parasitic infections
• Benign and cancerous tumors
• Toxic chemicals
• Alcohol consumption
• Poor nutrition
• Metabolic disorders
• Cardiac failure

Common symptoms include:

• Yellow skin and eyes
• Dark urine
• Clay-colored stools
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Swelling of abdomen and legs
• Fatigue
• Unexplained weight loss
• New onset diabetes

Cancer screening

Effectively treating GI cancer starts with an accurate diagnosis. The gastroenterologists at our hospitals use advanced diagnostic technology to determine the presence of cancer and decide the best method of treatment. Tests we offer include:

• Colonoscopy
• Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)
• Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS)
• Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)
• Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP)

Treatments we provide

We work with you to develop a treatment plan that best meets your needs and helps you recover as quickly as possible. Types of treatment we offer include:

• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
• Complex laparoscopic and open multi-visceral resections
• Microwave ablation
• Irreversible electroporation (IRE)
• Radioembolization
• Chemoembolization

Complex GI Program

The Complex GI Program is a multidisciplinary physician-led work group, which meets every other month. We also host a multidisciplinary GI malignancy conference on a biweekly basis. During the conference, experts in medical oncology, gastroenterology, surgical oncology and radiology work to develop treatment plans for each patient.

Additional cancer support services we offer

We take a holistic approach to treating your cancer. Because of this, we also offer the following cancer support resources:

• Rehabilitation services
• Nutrition services
• Hospital chaplain

Oncology nurse navigator

As part of our commitment to offer you personalized care, our complex GI nurse navigator will walk alongside you and answer any questions you may have throughout your cancer journey. Your nurse navigator will also help you coordinate your cancer care and make informed decisions during treatment.

To reach a complex GI nurse navigator, call (512) 487-4145.