Gastrointestinal Cancer

Gastrointestinal Cancer Expertise

MUSC Hollings Cancer Center is a national leader in treating gastrointestinal cancers. We work in close collaboration with the MUSC Health Digestive Disease Center, rated highly for many years for the treatment of these diseases by U.S. News and World Report. Gastrointestinal cancers include:

• Colon and rectal cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• Liver cancer
• Esophageal cancer
• Stomach (gastric) cancer
• Bile duct (cholangiocarcinoma) and gallbladder cancer
• Anal cancer
• Hereditary diffuse gastric cancer

Though they are all part of the digestive system, each of these cancers is distinct. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with one of these cancers, then a gastrointestinal cancer specialist who understands their differences can be your best guide through your treatment choices. Our specialists work in multidisciplinary teams that include medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, surgical oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, nurse coordinators, an oncology dietitian and researchers in the lab.

Our Next-Day Access program for newly diagnosed, non-metastatic stomach and hepato-pancreato-biliary cancers means that you can start working with your team almost immediately. Our team’s goal is to ensure you receive the highest quality, most up-to-date care tailored to your needs.

Treatments for gastrointestinal cancers

At Hollings, you have the benefit of a multidisciplinary team of specialists with deep expertise in specific types of GI cancers. Our doctors don’t just follow the latest developments in treatment – they’re also doing the research. This means you will have a treatment plan tailored to your specific diagnosis and your individual needs.

Treatment options depend on how advanced the cancer is when it’s found. More details can be found on each of the specific cancer pages or by talking to your doctor. In general, options can include:

• Surgery, including minimally invasive surgery
• Chemotherapy
• Radiation
• Immunotherapy
• Targeted therapies
• Clinical trials

Our team is continually updating our techniques and technology to ensure that we can offer the least invasive, most personalized options to you.

Refer a gastrointestinal cancer patient

To refer a gastrointestinal cancer patient to Hollings, please call the appropriate patient referral coordinator:

• Shanda Bowman (bile duct/esophagus/gallbladder/liver/stomach) – 843-985-0578
• Tosha Lockett (colorectal) – 843-876-4098
• Stacey Collins (pancreas) – 843-876-2313

Nurse navigator support

Our gastrointestinal cancer nurse navigators, Sara Sneed, BSN, RN (colorectal), and Anthony DeMeo, MSN, RN (hepatobiliary/pancreas/stomach), will help you understand what to expect during treatment and answer questions you may have.

Clinical trials for gastrointestinal cancer

As a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center, we firmly believe that clinical trials are an important part of cancer care. Clinical trials show us whether new treatments work better than existing treatments. That’s important for future patients. But clinical trials are also important for current patients, because they offer the possibility of early access to new therapies or protocols that could become the standard-of-care in the future.

We offer a variety of gastrointestinal cancer clinical trials, including trials developed by researchers here at Hollings, industry trials and trials organized by other cancer centers. Some trials focus on new therapies, while others test new ideas for supportive care or screening. Learn more about clinical trials at Hollings and see our current gastrointestinal cancer clinical trials and trials for specific types of gastrointestinal cancer:

• Colorectal cancer clinical trials
• Esophageal cancer clinical trials
• Liver cancer clinical trials
• Pancreatic cancer clinical trials
• Stomach cancer clinical trials

Hollings is also a member of NRG Oncology and the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology. These cooperative groups organize multi-institution cancer clinical trials that happen across the country. Through membership in these groups, Hollings is able to offer a wider range of clinical trials.

Ask your doctor if there is a clinical trial that fits your needs.