The Institute’s Multidisciplinary Gastrointestinal Program uses a multidisciplinary team approach to the diagnosis and treatment of malignancies arising in the gastrointestinal tract including cancers of the esophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas and biliary system, small bowel, colon, and rectum.

Its goal is to provide care for the cancer patient using the latest technologies and approaches, individual attention, and most current medical wisdom available to achieve optimum recommendations for patients and their treating physicians.

Members convene weekly on Mondays from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m. to evaluate new patients referred for second opinions or for care. Patients are examined and their X-rays and pathology slides are reviewed at the team meeting from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Qualifications of Members
 
The Institute’s team of gastrointestinal malignancy specialists include several nationally recognized experts with years of previous experience in the diagnosis and treatment of these conditions. They are actively involved in clinical research on gastrointestinal malignancies as integral members of our National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Team members include representatives from medical oncology, surgery, radiation oncology, gastroenterology, radiology and pathology. After the team members review each case, patients receive the team’s recommendations for treatment that may be administered either at the Institute or via the patient’s referring physician(s).

Team Members

Philip A. Philip, M.D., Ph.D., FRCP,  (Team Leader), Medical Oncology
Hussein Aoun, M.D., Radiology
Robert Boorstein, D.O., Surgery
Jeff Critchfield, M.D., Radiology
Lawrence Diebel, M.D., Surgery
Monte Harvill, M.D., Radiology
Kaleford Hong, M.D., Radiology
Andre Konski, M.D., Radiation Oncology
Peter Littrup, M.D., Radiology
Milton Mutchnik, M.D., Internal Medicine
Bhaumik Patel, M.D., Medical Oncology
Michael Petrich, M.D., Radiology
Wael Sakr, M.D., Pathology
Anthony Shields, M.D., Ph.D. , Medical Oncology
Michael Simon, M.D., MPH, Genetics
Christopher Steffes, M.D., Surgical Oncology
Paul Tranchida, M.D., Pathology
Donald Weaver, M.D., Surgical Oncology

Jennifer Barrick, MS, Genetic Counseling
Stefanie Cartwright, R.N., MDT Coordinator
Antonita Itchon, Physician Assistant
Ramzi Mohammad, Ph.D., Translational Scientist
Karen Nichols, Nurse Practitioner
Paulette Palazollo, R.N., Research Nurse
Nancie Petrucelli, M.S., Genetic Counseling
Laura Beth Stroempl, Physician Assistant
Lynette Trojniak, Nurse Practitioner

The team also includes representatives from the Institute's Clinical Trials Office and the Cancer Genetic Counseling Service.

Clinical Trials

When appropriate, patients will be given the opportunity to participate in a number of national and local clinical research trials. The spectrum of investigations include screening and early detection, combined modality treatments for locally advanced cancers of the gastrointestinal system, clinical trials of combined chemotherapy and radiation therapy, novel targeted therapies including drugs that attack tumor growth pathways and blood supply, and other novel chemotherapies via our Phase I clinical -- pharmacology program.

Cancer Genetics

When appropriate, patients may be referred for a cancer genetics evaluation.  Through careful examination of one’s family history, our cancer genetics specialists can determine the likelihood that the cancers in the family are hereditary, can advise patients about the appropriateness of cancer genetic testing and can give them information about their personal and family cancer risks, including their options for prevention, early detection, and treatment.   

Therapy of Liver Lesions

Cancers of the gastrointestinal system can spread to the liver and such treatment often requires a detailed assessment by our multidisciplinary team using sophisticated imaging techniques and then a combination of treatment approaches. Our team has expertise in liver surgery, including techniques to freeze and burn tumors within the liver.  Chemotherapy for such cancers can be given by vein or directly into the liver can be used to shrink tumors or to prevent their recurrence. 

Patient Participation

The multispecialty team approach is most beneficial to:

• Patients with previously untreated local-regional cancers of the GI system, proven or suspected;
• Patients who have undergone surgery for malignancies of the GI system within six weeks before being seen at the Institute;
• Any patient with cancer of the gastrointestinal system who specifically requests being seen by the Institute’s Multidisciplinary Gastrointestinal Oncology Team to initiate treatment or to secure a second opinion.
• Patients with a personal and/or family history suggestive of hereditary gastrointestinal cancer, which includes any of the following:
  • Colorectal cancer before age 50.
  • 10 or more colon polyps.
  • Stomach cancer, specifically the diffuse type.
  • The presence of related cancers (e.g., colon cancer and any of the following:  endometrial (uterine) cancer, ovarian cancer, stomach cancer, sebaceous skin tumors, or primary brain tumors).
    

On Appointment Day

Each patient receives personal attention from the Institute’s Multidisciplinary Gastrointestinal Oncology Team staff member and physician. A team physician evaluates the patient, reviews all records, and presents the patient’s records, X-rays and pathology slides for team discussion.

After the team conference, this physician shares the team’s recommendations with the patient and family members the same day. Expedited appointments are available for any tests or procedures that are required before a final recommendation is made. Expedited consultations with additional team members (surgeon, radiation therapist, etc.) are also available.

Appointments

Referring physicians or patients may call (800) KARMANOS (1-800-527-6266). A specially trained program coordinator answers questions and schedules appointments.

Patients should bring the following to their appointments:

• Medical records from recent care provided from other medical facilities;
• Chest X-rays, CAT scans of the chest, abdomen, and brain, bone scans, and whole body PET scan films and reports, if available;
• Pathology slides and reports; and
• Any recent blood tests.

The Institute’s Multidisciplinary Gastrointestinal Oncology Team is located at 4100 John R Street, Detroit, Michigan. Valet parking and ample security are available.