Department of Radiation Oncology
Gastrointestinal Cancer
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Specialized Physicians: GI Cancer – Pramila Rani Anne, M.D. Pancreas/Liver/Bileduct Cancers – Tithi Biswas, M.B.B.S., M.D. – Pramila Rani Anne, M.D. |
Cancers of the digestive system include that of the colon, rectum, pancreas, liver, as well as less commonly, biliary ducts, small intestines and appendix. These cancers can manifest in many ways depending on the location. For instance, pancreatic cancers may cause blockage of the biliary ducts and lead to jaundice, itchiness, floating stools, and malabsorption. Many colon and rectal tumors are found routinely on screening colonoscopies. Other symptoms may include weight loss, bloating, abdominal or back pain, enlarging abdomen, intestinal obstruction, bleeding and other.
The treatment of tumors of the digestive system is highly individualized – depending on tumor type, location and size. Surgery is the primary therapy for many of these tumors, and radiation and chemotherapy have important roles before or after surgery. At Jefferson we pride ourselves on strong interdisciplinary cooperation between radiation oncologists, surgeons, interventional radiologists, and medical oncologists. Physicians have at their disposal conformal external beam radiotherapy, intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) as well as stereotactic radiotherapy. Our resources include technologies such as image guided radiation therapy (IGRT) with conebeam CT, stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), Active Breathing Coordinator (ABC) and 4-D CT.
Additionally, we offer an exciting new treatment to patients with primary liver cancer or liver metastases with selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT). This targeted therapy with SIR-spheres or Theraspheres delivers localized radiation to liver tumors by injecting Y-90 radioactive microspheres into the hepatic artery. This localized radiation delivers a high dose of radiation to the tumor while sparing the healthy liver.
Most importantly, our physicians are renowned national leaders in the treatment of cancers of the digestive tract, and attract patients from across the country. We have the experience and high treatment volume to deliver the most optimal care to our patients.
Furthermore Jefferson has an active clinical trials program. When appropriate, patients are given the opportunity to participate in research studies that integrate new drugs and treatment approaches to continue to improve our success in treating brain tumors. Some trials are available only at Jefferson – please inquire to what trials are currently available!
For more information:
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/colon-and-rectal
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/pancreatic
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/liver
Click here for more information on SIR-Spheres or view a movie at http://www.sirtex.com/video/SKY_RADIO_CNN_SEGMENT_FINAL_11-17-08_Sirtex2.mov
Click here for more information about Theraspheres
