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Dr. Virgilio George talks with a patient in an exam room

Gastrointestinal Cancer

MUSC Hollings Cancer Center is a national leader in treating cancers of the digestive system, including the colon, pancreas, liver, stomach, biliary tree and rectum. 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 & World Report.

Commission on Cancer National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer logo

In 2021, Hollings earned a three-year accreditation from the National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer (NAPRC), recognizing the center’s commitment to providing you the best possible care. We are one of a select group of cancer centers — and the first in South Carolina — to earn this distinction.

We’re Here For You

At Hollings, we know a cancer diagnosis can be a life changing event. We are here to support you through your journey. Call 843-792-9300 and make an appointment. Experience what sets us apart.

High Performing Hospital | University Medical Center | US News & World Report 2024-2025 | Colon Cancer Surgery

In good hands

You know you're in good hands at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center, the state’s only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center. Here, you have access to the latest innovations in cancer treatment, including clinical trials, advanced surgical techniques, support services and survivorship planning. You can rest easy knowing we hold national rankings for cancer care and take a leadership role in cancer research and prevention.

The Hollings difference
a doctor in a white coat in an exam room chats with a patient while a nurse working at a computer station looks over and smiles

Start your treatment fast

Abdominal cancer doesn’t wait. Neither should you. For patients with certain abdominal cancers, you can meet with a surgeon as soon as the next business day to discuss a treatment plan.

Next-Day Access Program

Treatment and Support

Dr. William Lancaster talks with a nurseOur gastrointestinal cancer specialists understand the complexity of treating cancers of the digestive system and use a team approach to create a personalized treatment plan for you. Using state-of-the-art technology, our team offers you top-notch treatment in a local setting.

Treatment options offered at Hollings include:

TomoTherapy® Hi-Art® Treatment System

This highly-accurate radiation therapy allows the radiation oncologist to image and treat you in the same setting, minimizing toxicity.

CT Colography

A screening alternative to the traditional colonoscopy, the procedure uses a reconstructed CT scan to view the colon.

Endoscopic Ultrasound

This technology is used to stage gastrointestinal, lung and esophageal cancers. Hollings has one of the world’s most renowned endoscopic ultrasound facilities.

Narrow Band Imaging

One of the latest screening techniques uses special light waves to target abnormal areas for biopsy, increasing the accuracy of the biopsy.

Y-90 Microspheres

Hollings is one of only three South Carolina facilities that arterially infuse liver tumors with the radioactive element yttrium-90. We have more experience with this technique than any other program in the state. This offers an outpatient treatment alternative if you have few other available options.

Endoscopic Mucosal Resection

A minimally invasive technique for removing superficial tumors with the use of an endoscope.

Laparoscopic Surgery

Hollings surgical oncologists now use a laparoscope positioned lower in the pelvic area to avoid the colostomies of the past.

Pancreas Chemotherapy Protocol

This leading-edge treatment developed here at Hollings has a 36% success rate in making non-operable pancreatic tumors operable.

Refer a gastrointestinal cancer patient

To refer a gastrointestinal cancer patient to Hollings, please call patient referral coordinator Shanda Bowman at 843-985-0578.

Nurse Navigator Support

Our gastrointestinal cancer nurse navigator, Sara Sneed, BSN, RN, will help you understand what to expect during treatment and answer questions you may have.

Catching gastrointestinal cancer early is key to improved outcomes. Many digestive cancers may present with no or mild symptoms, which makes routine screenings critical. Colorectal cancer is becoming more common among people under the age of 50.

Hollings offers you preventative screenings like colonoscopies, which are recommended for anyone over the age of 45. If you have an increased risk or a family history of colorectal cancer, earlier screenings may be necessary.

Dr. Graham Warren

Our team of doctors and researchers are leading the way in gastrointestinal research to help save lives around the world. Areas of focus include examining racial disparities when it comes to diagnosis and survival, looking at reasons behind early onset colorectal cancer and looking at ways to reduce the burden of tobacco use in South Carolina.

Recent projects include:

In addition, Hollings’ dedicated Colon Transdisciplinary Cancer Team and Pancreatic Transdisciplinary Cancer Team bring together expertise from different disciplines in basic and clinical research for monthly meetings to collaborate on ongoing gastrointestinal cancer research.

As South Carolina’s only NCI-designated cancer center, Hollings offers you clinical trials and treatments that aren’t available anywhere else in the state. These opportunities provide you with access to the latest medications, therapies, and surgical techniques that can improve your outcomes. Learn more about clinical trials at Hollings and see our current gastrointestinal cancer and colorectal cancer clinical trials.

Dr. George's willingness to talk to us was all the reassurance I needed. So I canceled all the appointments that my mom had set up at all the other hospitals. And I was like, ‘Something is telling me that this is where I'm supposed to be. And he's the doctor I need.’

Adriel Nutter, colon cancer survivor

Adriel's story
a smiling woman stands outside

This disease is 100% preventable if you get screened and know the signs and symptoms. I let my symptoms go on for so long because I thought this was predominantly diagnosed in older men.

Lara Lambert, rectal cancer survivor

Lara's story
Lara Lambert

Gastrointestinal Cancer Care Locations

MUSC Hollings Cancer Center Downtown

86 Jonathan Lucas Street

Charleston, SC 29425

Scheduling: 843-792-9300

Hematology Oncology Florence

Florence Medical Center

Medical Mall A

805 Pamplico Highway

Suite: 315

Florence, SC 29505

Scheduling: 843-792-9300

Oncology Infusion Clinic Kershaw

1315 Roberts Street

Camden, South Carolina 29020

Our team works in close collaboration with the MUSC Health Digestive Disease Center, rated highly for many years for the treatment of these disorders.

3-D transparent rendering of internal organs with the colon in red

Early detection saves lives

When detected and treated early, colon cancer is usually curable. Screening for colon cancer is recommended for anyone over the age of 45. If you have a family history of colon cancer or are at an increased risk, talk to your doctor about starting screening at age 40 or younger.

Schedule a colonoscopy

Latest Gastrointestinal Cancer News