Our Services

Providence Gastrointestinal Cancer Program

Our program features these indicators of excellence:

  • Multidisciplinary tumor conferences
  • State-of-the-art diagnostic tools
  • Clinical and basic research protocols
  • Access to national research studies and innovative local protocols
  • Gastrointestinal oncology practice guidelines for health professionals


  • Cancer risk assessment and genetic counseling

    Cancer risk assessment examines personal and family history information that influences cancer risk....
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  • Chemotherapy

    Chemotherapy is the use of medicine to destroy cancer cells. Chemotherapy is called a systemic treatment because the medicines enter the bloodstream...
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  • Colon surgery

    Colon surgery (removing the cancer in an operation) is the most common treatment for all stages of colon cancer. A doctor may remove the cancer using ...
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  • Colonoscopy

    Colonoscopy enables your doctor to examine the lining of your colon (large intestine) for abnormalities by inserting a flexible tube as thick as your ...
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  • Colorectal cancer education and research

    Providence Colorectal Cancer Surgery Program medical director Mark H. Whiteford, M.D., is highly involved in education of other healthcare professiona...
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  • Colostomy

    A colostomy is a surgical procedure that is done when part of the bowel (colon or rectum) has been removed and the remaining bowel cannot function nor...
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  • Gastrointestinal cancer screening

    Tests are used to screen for different types of cancer. Some screening tests are used because they have been shown to be helpful both in finding canc...
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  • Minimally-invasive colorectal surgery

    Surgery to remove cancer is almost always the main treatment for colorectal cancer. The type of surgery depends on the size and location of your cance...
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  • Multidisciplinary cancer care

    The evidence-based, multidisciplinary team approach to patient care at Providence Cancer Center is creating hope and changing lives for many people ...
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  • Radiation therapy

    External beam radiation therapy treatment, also called x-ray therapy, is directed at the tumor from a machine located away from your body, usually a l...
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  • Immunotherapy

    Biologic therapy is a treatment that uses the patient's immune system to fight cancer. Substances made by the body or made in a laboratory are used to...
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  • Endoscopic ultrasound

    Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). In this test, a small ultrasound probe at the end of the endoscope is placed down the throat to the chest area. The ultra...
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  • Image-guided biopsy

    Ultrasound uses reflected sound waves to produce an image of organs and other structures in the body. This technology can be useful in helping docto...
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