Upper and Lower Gastrointestinal Services
Upper and Lower Gastrointestinal Services - Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
| The Gastrointestinal Oncology Service provides an evidence-based multidisciplinary diagnostic, consultative and treatment service for patients with both Upper and Lower GIT malignancies including GI Neuroendocrine tumors. |
| Site specific multidisciplinary meetings and clinics are held twice a week. Evidence-based and investigational treatment of GIT malignancies includes: • Multi-modality approaches of surgery, radiation with chemotherapy and/or biological agents in the treatment of all gastrointestinal malignancies. • Phase I to III studies of new drugs and novel combined modality regimens. • Participation in national and multinational phase II- III clinical trials • Testing for mutations in tumours with the aim of individualising treatment Surgical procedures performed on-site include minimally invasive gastrectomies & oesophagectomies, hepatectomies, liver ablation, TACE, pancreatectomies, colorectal surgery, pelvic exenterations (with intra-operative radiation therapy), peritonectomies (with HIPEC) and endoscopic stenting. The Service maintains a strong focus on screening and identifying the psychosocial needs of patients and hence providing appropriate supportive care. |
| Most gastrointestinal cancers require multimodality therapy for optimal treatment; hence the interactive between surgery, radiation therapy and medical oncology is critical to the successful outcome for patients. The GI Service comprises of personnel from all these disciplines, who work together in the same clinics to provide their expertise in a coordinated fashion, which gives patients efficient management of their cancer. The GI Service also participates, and in some cases has designed and led, institutional, national and international clinical studies, evaluating new therapeutic strategies for GI cancers. |
| Upper Gastrointestinal Service |
| The Upper GI Service has a particular interest in oesophageal cancer, Barret’s oesophagus and gastric cancer, and a number of clinical trials are being led by the Service that are being conducted through national and international trials groups. Studies are also undertaken in the areas of pancreatic cancers, gastrointestinal stomal tumours and liver tumours. The Hepatobiliary Service is undergoing continual development in terms of its in-house surgical capabilities. |
| Colorectal Service |
| The Colorectal Service provides an evidence-based multi-disciplinary diagnostic, consultative and treatment service for patients with lower GIT malignancies including GI neuroendocrine tumours. Site specific multi-disciplinary meetings and clinics are held twice a week. Evidence-based and investigational treatment of GIT malignancies includes: • Multi-modality approaches of surgery, radiation with chemotherapy and/or biological agents in the treatment of all gastrointestinal malignancies. • Phase I to III studies of new drugs and novel combined modality regimens. • Participation in national and multinational phase II- III clinical trials. • Testing for mutations in tumours with the aim of individualising treatment . Surgical procedures performed on-site include minimally invasive laparoscopic and robotic colorectal surgery, pelvic exenterations (multiple organ resections), intra-operative radiation therapy, cytoreductive surgery (peritonectomy) with HIPEC (hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy), and endoscopic stenting. The service maintains a strong focus on screening and identifying the psychosocial needs of patients and hence providing appropriate supportive care. Most gastrointestinal cancers require multimodality therapy for optimal treatment; hence the interactive between surgery, radiation therapy and medical oncology is critical to the successful outcome for patients. The Colorectal Service comprises of personnel from all these disciplines, who work together in the same clinics to provide their expertise in a coordinated fashion, which gives patients efficient management of their cancer. The Colorectal Service also participates, and in some cases has designed and led, institutional, national and international clinical studies, evaluating new therapeutic strategies for GI cancers. The Colorectal Service within the Gastrointestinal Service participates in colorectal cancer screening programs and offers up-to-date video endoscopy facilities for patients. It also leads the nation in the novel treatment of locally advanced and recurrent rectal cancers and the use of intra-operative radiotherapy. The Colorectal Service continues to expand and interact with the other state-of-the-art facilities for patients with this complex group of diseases. |
| GI Neuro-Endocrine Clinic |
| The GI Neuro-endocrine Clinic is now developing into a major state-wide and national referral centre for the management of these rare and complex diseases. The GI Service continues to expand and interact with the other state-of-the-art facilities for patients with this complex group of diseases. |
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