Cancer center opens gastrointestinal clinic

PROVIDENCE – The Comprehensive Cancer Center at Rhode Island Hospital, The Miriam Hospital and Newport Hospital has opened the Upper Gastrointestinal Multidisciplinary Clinic for the treatment of esophageal, stomach, pancreatic, liver and bile duct/gallbladder cancers.
It is the only program of its kind in Rhode Island, and is designed to make diagnosis and treatment easier and more convenient for patients.
Through a streamlined approach to cancer care, clinicians are able to more quickly and seamlessly provide patients with treatment options and initiate their care plan. In some cases, patients have gone from initial appointment and diagnosis to surgical treatment within one week.
“Receiving a cancer diagnosis is overwhelming,” said Dr. Kevin Charpentier, director of the UGMDC. “There is a lot of information to absorb and a lot of clinicians involved in the patient’s care. At the UGMDC, we coordinate all care in one setting and walk patients and family members through every step of their care – from diagnosis to treatment to survivorship.”
At diagnosis and during one visit, patients meet with physicians in all related disciplines, including surgical oncology, medical oncology, radiation oncology and vascular radiology. The team then meets with the patient to recommend a personalized care plan. •

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