Comprehensive Clinic For Gastrointestinal Cancers Opens At Rush University Medical Center, USA

Main Category: Cancer / Oncology
Also Included In: Colorectal Cancer;  GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology
Article Date: 19 Jul 2008 - 0:00 PST

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Patients benefit from a team approach at the new Coleman Foundation Comprehensive Clinic for Gastrointestinal Cancers at Rush University Medical Center. Experts in gastroenterology, medical oncology, surgery, radiation oncology, pathology and psychosocial oncology as well as nutrition and genetics come together to meet with new patients and develop a defined treatment plan.

This comprehensive clinic dedicated totally to the care of patients that are at risk of, or diagnosed with, gastrointestinal cancers, provides patients with one center for all of their care.

The clinic is one of the few places in the Chicago area to provide a full spectrum of care for patients with gastrointestinal cancers.

"Our team works with each patient to create an individualized treatment plan that offers the latest diagnostic capabilities as well as leading-edge treatment options," said Dr. Sohrab Mobarhan, clinical director. "At the end of a thorough meeting, patients walk away knowing that there is a well-defined treatment plan designed to meet their specific needs."

The clinic provides preventive services and the latest diagnostic and treatment services for all types of gastrointestinal cancers including such cancers as tumors of the colon, rectum, pancreas, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, anus, gallbladder, bile ducts and liver.

Preventive and screening services include colonoscopies to prevent colon and rectal cancer, upper endoscopies to screen for esophageal cancer and Barrett's esophagus, and radiofrequency ablation therapy to prevent esophageal cancer. In addition, genetic counseling, in which family histories are reviewed, and testing are also available to determine an individual's risk for gastrointestinal cancers.

The clinic has access to the most advanced diagnostic and treatment services available, which include interventional endoscopy, radiological testing, multi-detector CT imaging, positron emission tomography (PET), MRIs, image-guided radiotherapy, electron and electron-arc therapy, interstitial brachytherapy and intensity-modulated radiotherapy.

As part of the comprehensive nature of the clinic, a dedicated gastrointestinal cancer nurse is available to answer patient questions, coordinate all appointments, procedures and tests to ensure patients receive quality care in a timely manner.

In addition, Rush is committed to helping patients and their families cope with the psychological, emotional and spiritual effects of cancer. In partnership with the American Cancer Society, Rush offers a patient navigator to assess individual patient needs and provide information about available treatments, community services and programs.

Through Rush's Cancer Integrative Medicine Program, patients have access to therapies that complement their medical treatments, such as acupuncture, biofeedback, nutritional and herbal counseling, massage and yoga.

The Comprehensive Clinic for Gastrointestinal Cancers is also available to provide individuals who have previously been diagnosed with second opinion services.

For more information, or to make an appointment, call (312) 942-2700.

The Coleman Foundation Comprehensive Clinic for Gastrointestinal Cancers was made possible in part by a grant from the Coleman Foundation. In recognition of a $5 million grant, all of the medical center's comprehensive cancer programs, or clinics, are named for The Coleman Foundation.

www.rush.edu