Surgical Oncologists
The surgical oncologist on your care team is a gastrointestinal surgeon who specializes in surgical treatment for gastrointestinal cancers. The surgical oncologist works closely the thoracic surgeons, the medical and radiation oncologists and other team members to coordinate and optimize your treatment.
Thoracic Surgeons
The thoracic surgeons on the esophageal care team are highly specialized thoracic surgeons who focus on the surgical procedures for cancers in the chest such as lung, mesothelioma, esophageal, tracheal, mediastinal, thymus and other cancers of the chest. These surgeons work closely with gastrointestinal surgeons, medical and radiation oncologists and other team members to coordinate and optimize your treatment.
Medical Oncologists
The medical oncologist is the physician who specializes in medical treatment approaches, such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy or immunotherapy for gastrointestinal cancers. This physician evaluates which drugs or combination of drugs are best for you, determines how to deliver them safely and manages any side effects.
Radiation Oncologists
A radiation oncologist is a physician who specializes in radiotherapy approaches to fight cancer. For esophageal cancers, radiation therapy may be before or after surgery, or as a palliative treatment to relieve symptoms.
Gastroenterologists
The gastroenterologist on your team is a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating cancers of the gastrointestinal tract. Your gastroenterologist performs endoscopic procedures, such as endoscopy, endoscopic ultrasound and others to diagnose cancer as well as remove precancerous lesions and early cancers.
Interventional Radiologists
An interventional radiologist is a physician who specializes in using medical imaging technology procedures to treat disease.
Nuclear Medicine Radiologists
A nuclear medicine radiologist is a physician who specializes in performing and interpreting imaging that uses very small amounts of radioactive material or radiopharmaceuticals to diagnose and treat disease.
Pathologists
A pathologist is the physician who analyzes your tissue samples from tumors, lymph nodes and other areas and performs laboratory tests to detect if cancer is present, and if so, determine its type and other information your care team needs to determine your best treatment options. At Roswell Park, your samples are analyzed by pathologists who focus specifically on the diagnosis of cancers in the gastrointestinal tract.
Oncology Nurse Coordinators
The oncology nurse coordinator works closely with all the providers involved in your care to plan and schedule all tests, procedures and appointments and prepare and guide you through every step.
Advanced Practice Providers
An advanced practice provider (APP) is a medical professional such as a physician assistant or nurse practitioner. APPs work in all areas of the hospital and play an important role in the development and implementation of your treatment plan. They perform examinations, order tests, interpret data and prescribe medication.
