Expert Care for Complex GI Cancers, Here in Erie

Cancer of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, including the colon and rectum, is very common and affects about 250,000 people per year in the United States. Doctors diagnose an additional 142,700 people with colorectal cancers. Treatment of GI and colorectal cancer often requires both surgery and chemotherapy.

At UPMC Hillman Cancer Center in Erie, we provide access to the latest open, minimally invasive, and robotic surgical techniques available through the UPMC Division of Gastrointestinal Surgical Oncology, which now delivers pre-operative and postoperative surgical care and consultations right here in Erie. This team delivers comprehensive care for patients with complex gastrointestinal cancers and related conditions, including:

• Peritoneal surface malignancies (also known as peritoneal carcinomatosis)
• Advanced, complex abdominal malignancies
• Gastric cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• Abdominal sarcomas

Our Approach

At the UPMC Division of Gastrointestinal Surgical Oncology, we understand the importance of community-based cancer care. Our experts work collaboratively to develop an effective, individualized treatment plan for each patient that may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, placement on clinical trials, or a combination of treatments to best meet their needs. At each step of the process, we remain in close contact with referring physicians so that patients experience a seamless transition of care after discharge.

We provide:

• Comprehensive pre-operative consultations
• Open, minimally invasive, and robotic surgical procedures
• Postoperative care
• Access to more advanced treatments like hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemoperfusion (HIPEC) and novel clinical trials as part of the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center network