Gastrointestinal Cancers

Receiving your care from a team of experienced specialists ensures you achieve the best possible outcome. Our team of providers specializes in aggressive and complex gastrointestinal cancers. It includes medical, surgical, and radiation oncologists, GI imaging specialists and interventional radiologists, as well as specialized nurses, nutritionists, social workers, and many others. They meet regularly to discuss your care and work together to ensure you receive the best possible treatment. 

The Duke Cancer Institute

The Duke Cancer Institute brings together the extensive resources of Duke University, Duke Health, and the Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center. We are committed to making innovative discoveries, developing new ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat cancer, and delivering those therapies in a patient- and family-centric way.

Additional Support When You Need It

Our nurse navigators and patient coordinators can assist you in coordinating all aspects of your care and appointments. They can arrange for you to undergo additional tests and treatments in other clinics at the same location.

Team-Based Approach to Cancer Care

Care involves a weekly collaboration between surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and pathologists to create personalized treatment plans. In addition, we work closely with dietitians; genetic counselors; oncology nurses and nurse navigators; and other specialists.

Imaging Capabilities

We offer wider and shorter MRI machines so you will be more comfortable during imaging. Our CT scan technology produces the highest-quality images and uses lower radiation doses to minimize your exposure to radiation. Our radiologists have special expertise in abdominal imaging, which ensures they can spot hard-to-see gastrointestinal cancers.

Genetic Counseling and Testing

You may have a higher risk of developing cancer if you have a family history of the disease. If members of your family have had cancer or you were previously diagnosed, we may recommend genetic counseling to better understand your risk and how our cancer experts can treat you.

A Minimally Invasive Approach

Surgery is a common treatment option for gastrointestinal cancer. Whenever possible, our experienced surgical oncologists use small incisions and robotic techniques to precisely remove cancer and spare surrounding healthy tissue. This minimally invasive approach shortens your recovery time, reduces post-surgery pain, and minimizes scarring. 

Treatment Options for Metastatic Cancers

Gastrointestinal cancers can sometimes spread to other parts of the body. For example, colon cancer may spread to the liver. Our oncologists are experts at finding and tracking metastatic cancer and offer surgery, systemic chemotherapy, targeted treatments, and infusion treatments that specifically target cancer that spreads.

Access to Clinical Trials

As part of a National Cancer Institute-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duke Health is recognized for exploring new therapies through ongoing research and clinical trials. As a Duke patient, you may be eligible to participate in clinical trials that test new therapies before they become widely available.

Support for You and Your Family

Our comprehensive support services range from helping patients minimize the side effects of treatment to coping with the emotional and psychological effects of diagnosis and treatment. View all our cancer support groups in our event calendar.