Gastrointestinal Cancer Center Offers Advanced Diagnostics, Treatments and Clinical Trial Opportunities
Play this video to hear how lack of sleep can increase the risk of developing colon cancer.
At University Hospitals Digestive Health Institute's Gastrointestinal Cancer Center, our health care specialists provide fast and accurate diagnoses, advanced treatment options and access to promising clinical trials in the fight against gastrointestinal cancer.
The Gastrointestinal Cancer Center team has experience and expertise in treating all types of gastrointestinal cancer—from the rarest to the most common.
Services at this certified Center of Excellence include:
- Colonoscopy and endoscopy for the screening and surveillance of colorectal polyps, various cancers and Barrett’s esophagus
- Minimally invasive surgical techniques (including colon procedures), which can reduce recovery time, scarring and complications
- Assessment and treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST)
- Fecal DNA testing, a noninvasive alternative to colonoscopy
- Targeted screenings for high-risk individuals to identify issues and begin treatment early; this can help when cancer and other issues run in families
- Advanced interventional endoscopy to evaluate pancreaticobiliary cancer
- Evaluation and management of pancreatic cystic tumors
- Endoscopic management of dysplasia in the esophagus, including cryoablation and radiofrequency ablation
- Treatment of locally advanced cancers with stent placement and radiofrequency ablation to minimize side effects; radiofrequency ablation involves the use of high-frequency alternating current and can be used without general anesthesia
- A special intraoperative radiation program for recurrent and complex rectal cancers; during this treatment, radiation is applied during surgery to target affected areas with pinpoint accuracy
- High-volume surgeons to treat every gastrointestinal cancer
A Culture of Teamwork Ensures the Best Possible Outcomes for Patients
Close teamwork is critical to providing quality, personalized patient care. While many institutions shuffle patients from one doctor to the next, we utilize a collaborative team of specialists to treat each patient quickly and effectively.
Our physicians work closely with the nationally recognized University Hospitals Ireland Cancer Center now University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center to offer comprehensive cancer care and treatment plans. Our team approach combines the expertise of specialists in the following areas:
- Gastrointestinal surgery
- Esophageal surgery
- Pathology
- Radiology
- Medical oncology
- Radiation oncology
Treatment options for each patient are discussed at meetings attended by experts from multiple disciplines. This strategy has been proven to significantly benefit patients by ensuring the best possible outcomes.
Compassionate Care and Advanced Research
The Gastrointestinal Cancer Center is co-directed by physicians from both the medical and surgical fields, ensuring that patients receive the most thorough and rigorously planned care. UH Digestive Health Institute’s endoscopy suite at University Hospitals Case Medical Center is the first hospital unit in Ohio to be certified by the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. This certification recognizes our continued dedication to advancing patient care and digestive health.
Patients also benefit from:
- Convenient locations throughout Northeast Ohio
- An active cancer prevention program
- Compassionate care and personal attention from UH staff
- Support groups for patients and their family members
- Access to nutritionists
- Help from an accredited musical therapist
Clinical Research Leads to Improved Patient Care
Many of our specialists are nationally respected researchers involved in conducting multiple clinical trials. We constantly work to transfer this advanced knowledge from the lab to the bedside—a true advantage for our patients.
We were one of the first centers to offer Bar-x radio frequency ablation, as published in the New England Journal of Medicine. We continue to pursue less invasive ways to screen for Barrett’s esophagus.
UH researchers developed fecal DNA testing as an alternative to a colonoscopy. This resulted in a noninvasive, highly accurate cancer test that does not require a hospital visit. We are one of the few hospitals in the country offering this leading-edge test.