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Gastrointestonal Cancers

Why Choose NorthShore University HealthSystem for Gastrointestinal Cancer Care?

Individuals who learn that they have a cancer of the GI tract often have a lot of questions about treatment options and how those choices may affect their quality of life. The physicians of NorthShore University HealthSystem (NorthShore) work collaboratively to treat the whole patent and ensure that these questions are answered. Each patient is provided with a care plan that includes advanced diagnostics, consideration of minimally invasive options and participation in promising clinical trials, as well as complete follow-up care that includes dietary counseling and rehabilitation.   

Our Surgeons

NorthShore offers a full range of surgical options and expertise for patients requiring gastrointestinal surgery.  Led by nationally recognized surgeons Mark Talamonti, MD and Malcolm Bilimoria, MD the section of gastrointestinal surgery offers a wide range of surgical options including the newest techniques in liver surgery and the options of minimally invasive surgery for many patients.  The recent addition of Marshall Baker, MD continues the tradition of excellence in this section.

Joseph Muldoon, MD leads the section of colorectal surgery which continues to offer minimally invasive and robotic surgical options for most colorectal cancer patients treated at NorthShore University HealthSystem.  The recent addition of Glen Balch, MD continues the tradition of excellence in the section.

Dr. Meiselman and Dr. Simms reviewing a patient record

Using our new computerized information network which allows records to be accessed from any facility in NorthShore University HealthSystem, Mick S. Meiselman, MD and John Simms check Mr. Simms' patient record.
A Whole Team Dedicated to Your Care

Every week, our multidisciplinary team convenes to discuss each patient’s case in detail and to construct a customized treatment plan. Your team may include your surgeon, oncologist, radiation oncologist, genetics counselor, pathologist, nutritionist, gastroenterologist, interventional radiologist, and researchers focused on your cancer. This meeting of the minds is focused on each gastrointestinal cancer patient individually, to create the path for the most optimal outcome. At any point during treatment, any of the team members can use or electronic medical record system to check test results and confer with other specialists. The end of the “overstuffed manila folder” method of medical recordkeeping means that patients receive quick, reliable answers to their questions about tests or lab results.

A Community of Care

Individuals with a diagnosis of cancer appreciate the warmth and consistent professionalism they experience during treatment at our system’s three Kellogg Cancer Care Centers. Every patient’s care plan may include psychosocial support and access to integrative therapies and healing resources.        

Relationships are Everything

The cancer care team at Kellogg is dedicated to helping patients win the fight against cancer.  Our program has been a part of the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) for more than 20 years; ECOG is one of the largest clinical cancer research organizations in the United States. This membership allows us to bring the newest treatments to our patients. Our collaboration with NorthShore researchers and scientists at Northwestern University has allowed us to become one of the major centers for developing tools for early detection of colon cancer.