Gastrointestinal cancer

Overview

You are at the center of everything we do at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. Here, we surround you with a team of specialists who work together closely to provide expertly targeted, complete care and compassionate support throughout your treatment and beyond.

We guide you every step of the way, combining our deep clinical expertise in gastrointestinal (GI) diseases with a commitment to meet your unique needs.

Gastrointestinal Refers to the stomach and intestines. Also called GI.

Gastrointestinal diseases we treat

Fred Hutch doctors are experts in treating all GI cancers, from the most common to the rarest, including:

Ampullary cancer
Anal cancer  icon
Appendiceal cancer (appendix cancer)
Carcinoid tumors
Colon cancer  icon
Esophageal cancer, including gastroesophageal junction cancer icon
Liver cancer and related cancers, including bile duct cancer (cholangiocarcinoma) and gallbladder cancer icon
Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), such as pancreatic NETs
Pancreatic cancer icon
Peritoneal cancer
Pseudomyxoma peritonei
Rectal cancer  icon
Small intestine cancer, including duodenal cancer
Stomach cancer (gastric cancer) icon
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Why choose Fred Hutch?

  • GI cancer experts
    At Fred Hutch, you will receive state-of-the-art care from some of the world’s leading doctors, including gastroenterologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists and surgeons who focus exclusively on treating GI cancers and nothing else.
  • Comprehensive treatment options
    Cancer treatment is changing rapidly, and Fred Hutch offers the latest and best treatments, including chemotherapy regimens that are easier to tolerate and surgical procedures that are less invasive.
  • GI cancer clinical trials
    We unite the leading researchers and cancer specialists of Fred Hutch and UW Medicine so you can take part in clinical studies of GI diseases not available everywhere.
  • Where you're treated first matters most
    Studies have shown that patients evaluated and treated at a multidisciplinary cancer center, like Fred Hutch, have better outcomes — and that the first treatment you receive for cancer is by far the most important. Patients who begin treatment at Fred Hutch often have better outcomes than those who started treatment elsewhere.
  • A national leader in cancer care
    Fred Hutch is the leading cancer treatment center in the region and among the top nationally, according to U.S. News & World Report. 
  • NCI comprehensive cancer center
    We are a comprehensive cancer center, a designation from the National Cancer Institute that reflects our scientific leadership and the depth and breadth of our research to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer.
Chemotherapy Treatment that uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. It may be given alone or with other treatments. Treatment that uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Chemotherapy may be given by mouth, injection, infusion or on the skin, depending on the type and stage of the cancer being treated. It may be given alone or with other treatments, such as surgery, radiation therapy or biologic therapy. Clinical trial A type of research study that tests how well new medical approaches work in people. These studies test new methods of screening, prevention, diagnosis or treatment of a disease. Radiation oncologist A physician who has special training in using radiation to treat cancer.
Second opinions

If you’ve been diagnosed with gastrointestinal (GI) cancer, we recommend getting a second opinion before choosing where you’ll be treated. 

Though you can benefit from a second opinion at any point during your care, it is most valuable when you are first diagnosed and have the widest array of treatment options. 

Talk with GI cancer experts who understand your disease in greater depth than the general oncologists in your local community.

Call us at (855) 557-0555 to request an appointment for a second opinion from the experts at Fred Hutch.

How a second opinion can help

Getting a second opinion from doctors who specialize in gastrointestinal cancers can help you

Feel confident that your cancer has been accurately diagnosed and staged
Pathologists, radiologists and gastroenterologists from Fred Hutch are experts in diagnosing GI cancers and have access to the latest technologies to help ensure we know as much about your cancer as possible.

Consider state-of-the-art treatment options
A second opinion may identify more advanced or more aggressive options, including minimally invasive surgeries, clinical studies of new medicines or treatment approaches and advanced radiation technologies.

Understand the benefits of specialized, multidisciplinary care
The team of GI cancer specialists from Fred Hutch offers in-depth understanding of the full spectrum of treatments. We have first-hand knowledge of current research and a wealth of treatment experience.

Start with a course of therapy tailored to you
We focus on you, not just your cancer, when developing a treatment plan. We consider your goals, plans, beliefs, values and preferences to design your treatment holistically.

Learn whether genetics plays a role
Your genetic make-up may have played a role in the development of your cancer, and it might impact your treatment. Depending on our findings, you and your family may benefit from Fred Hutch’s Gastrointestinal Cancer Prevention Program.

Clinical trial A type of research study that tests how well new medical approaches work in people. These studies test new methods of screening, prevention, diagnosis or treatment of a disease. Gastrointestinal Refers to the stomach and intestines. Also called GI. Radiologist A physician who has special training in creating and interpreting pictures of areas inside the body. The pictures are made with X-rays, sound waves or other types of energy. Treatment plan A detailed plan with information about a patient’s disease, the goal of treatment, the treatment options for the disease and the possible side effects and expected length of treatment. A detailed plan with information about a patient’s disease, the goal of treatment, the treatment options for the disease and the possible side effects and expected length of treatment. A treatment plan may also include information about how much the treatment is likely to cost and about regular follow-up care after treatment ends.
Request a Second Opinion
phone (855) 557-0555
We recognize that GI cancer is serious. Getting a second opinion does not have to delay the start of your treatment. We aim to see you within one week. Call to request a second opinion with an SCCA doctor.
Second opinions

If you’ve been diagnosed with gastrointestinal (GI) cancer, we recommend getting a second opinion before choosing where you’ll be treated. 

Providers

At Fred Hutch, you receive care from a team of providers with extensive experience in your disease. Your team includes physicians, a patient care coordinator, a registered nurse, an advanced practice provider and others, based on your needs. You also have access to experts like nutritionists, social workers, acupuncturists, psychiatrists and more who specialize in supporting people with cancer or blood disorders.

Clinical trials

We unite the leading researchers and cancer specialists of Fred Hutch and UW Medicine so you can take part in clinical studies of GI diseases not available everywhere.

Clinical trial A type of research study that tests how well new medical approaches work in people. These studies test new methods of screening, prevention, diagnosis or treatment of a disease.

Prevention

The Fred Hutch Gastrointestinal Cancer Prevention Program offers a personalized approach to cancer risk assessment, screening and prevention for people at high risk for several types of gastrointestinal cancer, including:

  • Colon cancer
  • Esophageal cancer
  • Pancreatic cancer
  • Small intestine cancer
  • Stomach cancer
Gastrointestinal Refers to the stomach and intestines. Also called GI. Screening Checking for disease when there are no symptoms. Because screening may find diseases at an early stage, there may be a better chance of curing the disease Checking for disease when there are no symptoms. Because screening may find diseases at an early stage, there may be a better chance of curing the disease. Examples of cancer screening tests are the mammogram (for breast cancer), colonoscopy (for colon cancer) and Pap and HPV tests (for cervical cancer). Screening can also include a genetic test to check for a person’s risk of developing an inherited disease.
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