Gastrointestinal cancer

Expert gastrointestinal cancer care in San Antonio

Methodist Healthcare is the leading provider in San Antonio for diagnosing and treating cancers within the digestive tract, including esophageal, stomach, pancreatic, gall bladder, liver, colorectal and anal cancers. Methodist Hospital continuously diagnoses and treats more patients for GI cancer than any other cancer center in San Antonio. Our complex GI cancer program maintains the highest standards in the region, with personalized, compassionate care for patients on their journey from discovery to recovery.

For more information on our gastrointestinal cancer care, please call askSARAH at (210) 507-0941.

Our affiliated physicians offer cutting-edge diagnostic techniques and treatment methods for GI cancers. Your road to recovery begins with the right diagnosis, delivered by dedicated pathologists, radiologists and gastroenterologists.

After diagnosis, our highly trained treatment team — including medical oncologists, surgeons, radiation oncologists and nurse navigators — works together to provide comprehensive, patient-centered treatment.

Your cancer care team at Methodist Healthcare offers:

• Advanced endoscopy offering Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) to  diagnose cancers more precisely
• Robotic surgery
• Support of a colorectal nurse navigator who will guide you through your cancer journey
• Enhanced Surgical Recovery program (ESR) – A new way of improving the experience of patients who need major surgery. It helps patients recover sooner so life can return to normal as quickly as possible. The ESR program focuses on ensuring  patients are actively involved in their recovery.
• Genetic counseling and risk assessment
• Cancer support services and access to local and national support groups
• Oncology rehabilitation
• Quality-based, coordinated care from screening through survivorship

Advanced gastroenterology care

The South Texas Advanced Gastroenterology Center (STAGE Center) at Methodist Hospital specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders throughout the entire digestive tract. Our experts in gastroenterology care offer leading treatment methods for our GI cancer patients. Our physicians are board-certified and have broad experience with GI cancers.

We also offer a full spectrum of endoscopic procedures for our GI cancer patients, including:

• Endoscopic ultrasounds (EUS): EUS is a medical procedure in which endoscopy is combined with ultrasound to obtain images of the internal organs in the chest, abdomen and colon.
• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP): ERCP uses endoscopy and fluoroscopy to diagnose and treat biliary or pancreatic ductal system problems.
• Radiofrequency ablation: Radiofrequency ablation is a procedure used to reduce pain from a specific area.
• Endoscopic mucosal resection: This technique is used to remove cancerous or other abnormal lesions found in the digestive tract.
• Endoluminal stenting: This endoscopic procedure involves the placement of a thin tube to manage a blockage in the GI tract, most commonly, large bowel obstructions.

GI cancers we treat

Our board-certified surgeons, gastroenterologists, radiation oncologists, and medical oncologists treat a variety of GI cancers, including:

• Pancreatic cancer
• Esophageal cancer
• Gastric cancer
• Liver cancer
• Colorectal cancer
• Retroperitoneal Sarcomas
• Hepatobiliary cancer
• Neuroendocrine tumors
• Peritoneal Surface cancer

Pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most dangerous cancers due to the lack of detectable early warning signs in the body. It can spread quickly, especially in the early stages. Our highly trained specialists  diagnose, treat and assist pancreatic cancer patients..

You should speak with a trained specialist if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Abdominal pain that also reaches your back
• Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
• Significant weight loss
• Loss of appetite

Our experts use the latest cancer research technology to detect pancreatic cancer. Tests may include ultrasounds, computerized imaging or biopsy exams.

If pancreatic cancer is detected and treatment becomes necessary, physicians will determine the right course of action based on the stage of the disease and the general health and age of the patient. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery are all potential options for eliminating pancreatic cancer.

Stomach cancer

Stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer, occurs when an abnormal growth of cells in the stomach forms a tumor. While the number of stomach cancer diagnoses has decreased in the past several years, it is important to reach out to your physician if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Severe indigestion
• Persistent vomiting
• Feeling full after eating small quantities of food
• Intense heartburn
• Unrelenting and unexplained nausea

Our skilled physicians perform the appropriate examinations to determine the presence of stomach cancer. Tests may include an upper endoscopy or imaging tests, in addition to a tissue sample from the suspected areas.

Treatment for stomach cancer is dependent on the stage of the cancer diagnosis. Doctors can remove early signs of cancer by eliminating the tumors from the stomach lining. In contrast, more severe stages of cancer may require a gastrectomy or removal of portions of the stomach.