Surgical oncologists
The surgical oncologist on your team is a gastrointestinal surgeon who specializes in surgical treatment for gastrointestinal cancers. Your surgeon will perform operations to remove the cancer, if needed, and also works closely with the medical and radiation oncologists and other team members to coordinate and optimize your treatment.
Gastroenterologists
The gastroenterologist on your team is a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating cancers of the gastrointestinal tract. Your gastroenterologist performs the procedures, such as endoscopic ultrasound to diagnose the cancer as well as endoscopic procedures to remove early cancers.
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 stomach cancers, radiation therapy may be part of your treatment plan before or after surgery, or in combination with chemotherapy.
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.
Clinical Dietitians
Because stomach cancer impacts how and what you are able to eat, our clinical dietitians will work with you before, during and after treatment in order to maximize your nutrition with special diets, tube feedings, strategies to help you gain weight and more.
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.
