Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers develop in the digestive system, including the colon, rectum, pancreas, bile ducts, esophagus, and stomach. These cancers can be difficult to detect in their early stages and often require specialized diagnostic testing, advanced treatment, and coordinated care from multiple cancer specialists.
At Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, our gastrointestinal cancer specialists provide personalized care for patients with colorectal, pancreatic, bile duct, esophageal, and stomach cancers.
Our multidisciplinary team brings together surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, gastroenterologists, radiologists, pathologists, and other specialists to evaluate each patient’s diagnosis and develop an individualized treatment plan.
Whether you have recently received a cancer diagnosis, need a second opinion, or are seeking treatment for a complex or advanced gastrointestinal cancer, Sylvester provides access to specialized expertise, advanced treatment options, and clinical trials in South Florida.
- Gastrointestinal Cancers We Treat
- What Are the Symptoms of Gastrointestinal Cancer?
- What Causes Gastrointestinal Cancer?
- Gastrointestinal Cancer Screening and Prevention
- How Are Gastrointestinal Cancers Diagnosed?
- How Are Gastrointestinal Cancers Treated?
- Why Choose Sylvester for Gastrointestinal Cancer Care?
- Frequently Asked Questions About Gastrointestinal Cancer
Gastrointestinal Cancers We Treat
Our specialists diagnose and treat colorectal, pancreatic, bile duct, esophageal, and stomach cancers.
Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer develops in the colon or rectum, the lower portions of the digestive system. It often begins as abnormal growths called polyps, some of which can develop into cancer over time.
Colorectal cancer may not cause symptoms in its early stages, making recommended screening particularly important.
Our specialists provide comprehensive care for colon and rectal cancers, including advanced diagnostic procedures, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy when appropriate, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy for eligible patients.
Treatment depends on the cancer’s location, stage, molecular characteristics, and the patient’s overall health.
Pancreatic and Bile Duct Cancers
Pancreatic cancer develops in the pancreas, an organ located behind the stomach that helps regulate blood sugar and produce digestive enzymes.
Bile duct cancers, also called cholangiocarcinomas, develop in the ducts that carry bile from the liver and gallbladder toward the intestine. Symptoms may include jaundice, itching, abdominal pain, or unexplained weight loss. Our specialists evaluate pancreatic and bile duct tumors with imaging, endoscopic procedures, pathology, and molecular testing to guide individualized care.
Because pancreatic cancer often causes few symptoms in its early stages, it is frequently diagnosed after the disease has progressed.
At Sylvester, specialists evaluate pancreatic and bile duct tumors using advanced imaging, endoscopic procedures, tissue testing, and genomic profiling when appropriate to help determine treatment.
Depending on the diagnosis, treatment may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapies for eligible patients, or clinical trials.
Our multidisciplinary approach is especially important for patients with complex pancreatic or bile duct tumors, including those seeking a second opinion about surgery or other treatment options.
Esophageal Cancer
Esophageal cancer develops in the esophagus, the tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach. Symptoms may include difficulty swallowing, painful swallowing, unexplained weight loss, or persistent chest discomfort. Risk factors vary by cancer type and can include tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and chronic acid reflux associated with Barrett’s esophagus.
Diagnosis may involve upper endoscopy with biopsy, endoscopic ultrasound, and imaging. Treatment can include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, or a combination of approaches, depending on the stage and tumor characteristics.
Stomach (Gastric) Cancer
Stomach cancer, also called gastric cancer, develops when abnormal cells grow in the stomach lining. Most stomach cancers are adenocarcinomas, which begin in the cells lining the inside of the stomach.
Stomach cancer may cause persistent indigestion, abdominal discomfort, nausea, unexplained weight loss, or feeling full after eating small amounts of food.
Our specialists use upper endoscopy, biopsy, advanced imaging, and other diagnostic tests to determine the cancer’s location and stage.
Treatment may include surgery to remove part or all of the stomach, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or clinical trials.
What Are the Symptoms of Gastrointestinal Cancer?
Symptoms of gastrointestinal cancer vary depending on the affected organ, the cancer’s location, and how advanced the disease is.
Common warning signs may include:
- Persistent abdominal pain or discomfort
- Unexplained weight loss
- Changes in bowel habits, including persistent diarrhea or constipation
- Blood in the stool or black, tarry stools
- Persistent nausea or vomiting
- Loss of appetite or feeling full after eating small amounts
- Difficulty swallowing
- Unexplained fatigue or weakness
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
Some gastrointestinal cancers cause no noticeable symptoms in their early stages. Many of these symptoms can also result from noncancerous conditions.
If you experience persistent or unexplained symptoms, speak with your health care provider. Vomiting blood, significant gastrointestinal bleeding, or severe abdominal pain requires immediate medical attention.
What Causes Gastrointestinal Cancer?
Gastrointestinal cancers develop when changes in the DNA of cells cause them to grow uncontrollably. These changes can occur over time or, in some cases, be associated with inherited genetic conditions.
Risk factors vary by cancer type and may include:
- Age: The risk of several gastrointestinal cancers increases with age.
- Family history: Having close relatives with certain gastrointestinal cancers may increase your risk.
- Inherited genetic conditions: Lynch syndrome and other hereditary cancer syndromes can increase GI cancer risk. Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndromes involving genes such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 can also increase pancreatic cancer risk.
- Alcohol: Alcohol is a known human carcinogen. Drinking alcohol increases the risk of several cancers, including colorectal and esophageal cancers.
- Tobacco use: Smoking is associated with an increased risk of several gastrointestinal cancers.
- Obesity: Excess body weight is linked to an increased risk of certain digestive system cancers.
- Diet and lifestyle: Certain dietary patterns, alcohol consumption, and physical inactivity may contribute to risk, depending on the cancer type.
- Chronic inflammation or infection: Conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease and chronic Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection can increase the risk of certain gastrointestinal cancers.
Having one or more risk factors does not mean you will develop cancer. Your clinician can assess your individual risk and recommend screening, genetic counseling, or additional evaluation. For people at increased risk based on personal or family history, individualized prevention and surveillance may be available.
Gastrointestinal Cancer Screening and Prevention
Screening and early detection can play an important role in preventing certain gastrointestinal cancers or identifying them when treatment may be more effective.
At Sylvester, specialists help patients understand their individual cancer risk based on personal medical history, family history, and inherited genetic conditions.
Our cancer prevention services include colorectal cancer screening and specialized evaluation for people at increased risk of gastrointestinal cancers. Depending on individual risk, surveillance may include colonoscopy, endoscopic ultrasound, or MRI.
Patients with a strong family history of cancer or certain inherited conditions may benefit from additional surveillance, genetic counseling, or individualized screening recommendations.
Learn more about the Gastroenterology High Risk & Prevention Clinic.
How Are Gastrointestinal Cancers Diagnosed?
An accurate diagnosis is essential for determining the most effective treatment.
At Sylvester, gastrointestinal cancer specialists use diagnostic testing and imaging to identify the cancer, determine its stage, and evaluate whether it has spread.
Depending on the suspected cancer, diagnostic tests may include:
Endoscopy and Colonoscopy
Endoscopic procedures allow physicians to examine portions of the digestive tract using a thin, flexible instrument equipped with a camera.
- Upper endoscopy: Examines the esophagus, stomach, and upper small intestine.
- Colonoscopy: Examines the colon and rectum for polyps, tumors, and other abnormalities.
- Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS): Uses ultrasound during endoscopy to evaluate tumors or precancerous findings in the esophagus, stomach, pancreas, and nearby structures.
Biopsy and Pathology
A biopsy involves removing a small sample of tissue for examination under a microscope.
Pathologists analyze the tissue to confirm the diagnosis and identify characteristics that may help guide treatment.
Advanced Imaging
Imaging studies help physicians evaluate the tumor and determine whether cancer has spread.
Tests may include CT scans, MRI, PET scans, or other specialized imaging procedures.
Molecular and Genetic Testing
Certain gastrointestinal cancers have molecular characteristics that can influence treatment decisions.
Tumor biomarker testing may help determine whether targeted therapies or immunotherapy are appropriate. Genetic counseling and inherited genetic testing may also be recommended for some patients.
How Are Gastrointestinal Cancers Treated?
Treatment depends on the type and stage of cancer, the tumor’s location, its molecular characteristics, and the patient’s overall health.
At Sylvester, specialists from multiple disciplines collaborate to develop individualized treatment plans that may combine several approaches.
Surgery
Surgery may be recommended to remove a gastrointestinal tumor and, when appropriate, nearby lymph nodes.
Depending on the cancer, procedures may include:
- Colon or rectal cancer surgery
- Pancreatic surgery, including pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple procedure)
- Partial or total gastrectomy for stomach cancer
Minimally invasive or robotic-assisted approaches may be appropriate for selected patients.
Depending on the diagnosis, surgery may also involve removal of part of the esophagus or bile duct. The surgical approach is tailored to the location and extent of disease.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses medications to destroy cancer cells or slow their growth.
It may be administered before surgery to shrink a tumor, after surgery to reduce the risk of recurrence, or as a primary treatment for advanced cancer.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams to destroy cancer cells.
It may be used alone or combined with chemotherapy or other treatments, depending on the cancer type and stage.
Targeted Therapy
Targeted therapies act on specific proteins or molecular changes that help cancer cells grow.
For certain gastrointestinal cancers, molecular testing can identify patients who may benefit from these treatments.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy helps the body’s immune system recognize and attack cancer cells.
It may be an option for patients whose tumors have specific biomarkers or other characteristics associated with a response to treatment.
Clinical Trials
As an NCI-designated cancer center, Sylvester provides patients with opportunities to participate in clinical trials investigating new cancer treatments and approaches to care.
Clinical trial availability and eligibility depend on the patient’s diagnosis and individual circumstances. Explore clinical trials at Sylvester.
Why Choose Sylvester for Gastrointestinal Cancer Care?
A gastrointestinal cancer diagnosis can require complex decisions about testing, surgery, medication, and ongoing care.
Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center is the only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in South Florida, bringing specialized cancer expertise, research, and multidisciplinary treatment together.
Multidisciplinary Cancer Expertise. Our gastrointestinal cancer specialists work together to evaluate complex cases and coordinate care across medical oncology, surgical oncology, radiation oncology, gastroenterology, diagnostic imaging, and pathology.
Personalized Treatment Planning. Treatment recommendations are based on the patient’s diagnosis, cancer stage, medical history, and individual needs.
Advanced Surgical and Medical Treatments. Patients have access to advanced cancer treatments, including minimally invasive surgical approaches when appropriate, systemic therapies, precision medicine, and supportive care.
Cancer Research and Clinical Trials. Sylvester’s research programs help advance the understanding and treatment of gastrointestinal cancers. Eligible patients may have opportunities to participate in clinical trials.
Comprehensive Support Services. Gastrointestinal cancer treatment may affect nutrition, digestion, physical health, and emotional well-being. Our care teams help patients access nutrition counseling, symptom management, emotional support, rehabilitation, and survivorship resources throughout treatment and recovery. Learn more about the Sylvester Survivorship and Supportive Care Institute.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gastrointestinal Cancer
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If you have been diagnosed with colorectal, pancreatic, bile duct, esophageal, or stomach cancer, or would like a second opinion, the gastrointestinal cancer specialists at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center can help you understand your treatment options.
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