Gastrointestinal Cancer Program
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Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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At the Gastrointestinal Cancer Program, our team of experts treat a wide range of cancers of the gastrointestinal system, as well as pancreatic and liver cancers. Whether you need surgery, chemotherapy, or access to cutting-edge clinical trials, our team will be with you for every step of your journey.
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3rd Floor
Moakley Building 617.638.6428
Treatments & Services
Cancer Surgery
The goal of cancer surgery is to remove the cancerous tissue and a ring of normal tissue around it. The surgery may also include removing lymph nodes from the neck. Reconstructive plastic surgery may be needed if the cancer is widespread and requires extensive tissue removal. These may include surgery to the tongue, jawbone, facial skin, pharynx, or larynx. In cases such as this, tissue from other parts of the body, like the forearm or leg, can be transplanted to give patients the best possible cosmetic and functional outcomes.
Pancreatic Cancer Surgeries
Surgery is currently the most effective treatment for pancreatic cancer. The two types of surgery used to treat pancreatic cancer are potentially curative surgery and palliative surgery. Potentially curative surgery is performed if it appears the cancer can be removed entirely. If the cancer has spread too far to be completely removed, patients may be treated with palliative surgery. Rather than try to cure the cancer, the goals of palliative surgery are to relieve symptoms and prevent problems caused by the cancer, such as the cancer blocking the bile ducts or the intestine.
Liver Directed Therapy
Liver directed therapy is typically used when surgery is not an option for treatment. Liver directed therapy targets cancer in the liver and is often used to treat neuroendocrine tumors that have spread to the liver.
Our Team
Surgery Team
Teviah E Sachs, MD, MPH
Special Interests
Surgical oncology; Liver, pancreas, and biliary cancers; Stomach cancer; Sarcoma; Melanoma
Jennifer F Tseng, MD, MPH
Special Interests
Gastric cancer; Pancreatic cancer; Pancreatitis; Hereditary cancer syndromes; Cancer prevention; Surgical risk reduction
David McAneny, MD
Special Interests
Endocrine surgery, surgical oncology
Michael R Cassidy, MD
Special Interests
Breast cancer, melanoma, soft tissue sarcoma
Joanne Favuzza, DO
Special Interests
Minimally invasive, laparoscopic, and sphincter-sparing surgery; Colon and rectal cancer; Ulcerative colitis; Crohn’s disease; Diverticulitis; Fecal incontinence; Anorectal conditions; Emergency general surgery
Olga Beresneva, MD
Special Interests
Robotic surgery; Colorectal disorders; Colon and rectal surgery
Sam Lajoie, MD
Rebecca Headrick, MD
Medical Oncology Team
Nana O Addo-Tabiri, MD, PhD
Special Interests
Gastrointestinal malignancies, health disparities
Hussein Assi, MD
Special Interests
Gastrointestinal malignancies, neuroendocrine tumors (NETs)
Radiation Oncology Team
Kimberley S Mak, MD, MPH
Special Interests
Thoracic, gastrointestinal, breast, and musculoskeletal malignancies, Cyberknife® radiosurgery, radiotherapy
Research Overview
The Gastrointestinal Cancer Program at Boston Medical Center conducts world-class clinical research and trials. Our faculty are internationally recognized for contributions to research and have been at the forefront of developing new approaches to the study and treatment of gastrointestinal cancer disorders.
Learn more about our gastrointestinal cancer research and clinical trials.
Affiliations
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