The University of Florida Gastrointestinal Oncology Program at Shands at UF provides a comprehensive approach to the diagnosis and treatment of patients with cancers of the:

• Anus
  
• Esophagus
  
• Gallbladder
  
• Liver
  
• Pancreas
  
• Rectum
  
• Retoperitoneum
  
• Small Intestine
  
• Stomach
  

Multidisciplinary Team

Located at one of the nation's top academic universities, the UF GI Oncology Program brings together numerous researchers and clinicians dedicated to helping cancer patients. The multidisciplinary team of cancer specialists meets weekly to review all patient diagnoses and information, then develops the best treatment plan for each individual. Members of the UF GI Oncology team include UF physicians, nurses and healthcare professionals from several areas, including:

• Surgical oncology
  
• Medical oncology
  
• Radiation oncology
  
• Gastroenterology
  
• Pathology
  
• Radiology – diagnostic and interventional
  
• Genetic counseling
  
• Social work and clergy
  
• Nutrition specialists
  
• Rehabilitation specialists
  

Coordinated Care

All aspects of patient care, from the initial visit and evaluation through treatment, recovery and follow-up consultations, are coordinated by the UF GI Oncology nurse coordinator to guarantee patients receive the best care possible.

With one phone call, 352.265.0990, patients can schedule appointments and receive personal assistance from an experienced nurse who is available to answer questions and coordinate necessary medical services.

State-of-the-Art Technology and Innovative Therapy

UF GI oncology experts utilize advanced technologies and techniques to provide patients a range of diagnosis and treatment options. Work up and treatment methods include the use of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), triple phase contrast CT, MRI with MRCP, laparoscopy with ultrasound and sentinel lymph node procedures.

Novel multi-disciplinary treatment strategies are employed both in routine clinical practice and as part of ongoing phase II clinical trials in these tumors.

Advanced treatment options by UF GI Oncology Program include:

• Sphincter preserving surgical procedures
  
  • transanal resection
    
  • transanal endoscopic microsurgery
    
  • transsacral resection
    
  • low rectal cancer resection with coloanal J-pouch reconstruction
    
• Sphincter-preserving chemo-radiotherapy
  
• Minimally invasive or laparoscopic resection of the colon, rectum, pancreas and other areas of the gastrointestinal tract
  
• Spleen-preserving pancreatic surgery
  
• Sentinel lymph node biopsy
  
• Precision external beam radiotherapy
  
  • 3-D conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT)
    
  • Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT)
    
  • Image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT)
    
  • Stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT)
    
• Intraoperative radiotherapy services including brachytherapy for retroperitoneal sarcoma and recurrent malignancies after prior radiotherapy
• Radiofrequency ablation of liver tumors
• Chemoembolization of liver tumors
• Radioactive micro-spheres for the treatment of liver tumors
• Novel and investigational chemotherapies
• Proton beam therapy for some gastrointestinal malignancies
• Transhiatal or transthoracic esophagectomy

Comprehensive Patient Care

In addition to the expert services provided by the UF physicians and cancer specialists with the UF GI Oncology Program, patients also benefit from numerous resources of Shands at the University of Florida, including:

• Psychosocial support
• Hereditary and cancer risk assessment program
• Social workers
• Patient educators and resources
• Personal wellness and rehabilitation programs
• Nutrition counseling
• Spiritual guidance
• Palliative care
• Home care
• Prevention and screening
• Support groups

Referrals and Appointments

For more information or to schedule an appointment with the UF GI Oncology Program, contact the nurse coordinator at 352.265.0990.

Shands at UF Cancer Services were ranked 46th in the country by U.S.News&World Report. Learn more.

Shands at UF Cancer Services Navigation

History

University of Florida Shands Cancer Center 2007 Annual Report (PDF file)

Types of Cancer

Brain Cancer

Breast Cancer

Colon Cancer

Gastrointestinal Cancers

Genitourinary Cancers

Gynecological Cancer

Head and Neck Cancer

Larynx Cancer

Leukemia

Lung Cancer

Lymphoma

Oropharyngeal Cancer

Prostate Cancer

Skin Cancer

Cancer Treatment

Bone Marrow Transplant

Brachytherapy

Chemotherapy

Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy

Radiation Therapy

Stereotactic Radiosurgery

Surgery

Shands HealthCast

Listen as Dr. Robert Marsh, UF College of Medicine, discusses GI cancer.

Make an Appointment

To make an appointment or find out more information about cancer services offered at Shands at the University of Florida, please call 352.265.8000 or toll-free 1.800.749.7424

You may also email our Consultation Center (consult@shands.ufl.edu) or use our secure online form.