Digestive Tumours

Expert assessment and treatment of gastrointestinal tumours

The Digestive Tumours Unit at the Publio Cordón Memorial Hospital specialises in the assessment and medical treatment of cancers affecting the digestive system, particularly in cases where it is necessary to precisely determine the most appropriate treatment option.

This group includes tumours of the colon and rectum, stomach, pancreas, liver, oesophagus and bile ducts, amongst others. These are diseases that require a holistic view and a coordinated approach, capable of integrating different treatment options within a complex clinical process.

The unit’s aim is not merely to prescribe a specific treatment, but to establish an individualised treatment plan that takes into account the extent of the disease, the biological characteristics of the tumour and the clinical situation of each patient.

When is an assessment indicated?

Care at the Digestive Tumours Unit is indicated for people with a confirmed diagnosis of digestive cancer, as well as in cases where it is necessary to determine the course of treatment following the initial assessment or to reconsider the strategy in light of changes in the progression of the disease.

For many patients, the decision is not simply a matter of choosing a treatment, but of determining the most appropriate sequence from among the various options available, including systemic treatment, surgery and, in certain cases, radiotherapy. This planning requires an expert assessment to ensure that decisions are made with precision and at the right time.

The heterogeneity of gastrointestinal tumours, both in terms of their location and their biological behaviour, makes a specialised assessment particularly important in order to rigorously guide treatment in each clinical situation.

Main tumours assessed by the unit

The approach is tailored to the type of tumour, its location, extent, biomarkers and the overall clinical context of each patient. The unit specialises in the assessment of:

• Colorectal cancer

• Gastric and oesophageal tumours

• Pancreatic cancer

• Liver and biliary tract tumours

• Gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumours

• Metastatic disease of gastrointestinal origin

Each case is assessed on an individual basis, taking into account not only disease control but also the possibility of integrating different lines of treatment as the condition progresses.

Clinical assessment and treatment planning

The process begins with a detailed clinical assessment that incorporates histological diagnosis, imaging tests and biomarker analysis. This information enables a more precise definition of the tumour’s behaviour and helps to better guide treatment decisions.

Based on this analysis, each case is reviewed by a multidisciplinary committee comprising specialists in Medical Oncology, Surgical Oncology, General and Gastrointestinal Surgery, Radiology, Radiation Oncology and Pathology, amongst others. This collaborative approach provides a more comprehensive view of the disease and enables the various stages of treatment to be rigorously coordinated.

The approach is conceived as a dynamic process, in which the sequence of interventions can be reviewed and adjusted according to clinical progression and the response achieved.

Personalised cancer treatment

Medical treatment is tailored to each individual, taking into account the type of tumour, its molecular profile, the extent of the disease and the patient’s clinical condition. For many gastrointestinal tumours, this assessment is crucial for selecting the most appropriate treatment option and adapting it over time.

Systemic treatment is a central component of the approach and includes chemotherapy, targeted therapies directed at specific molecular alterations, and immunotherapy in certain clinical contexts. The identification of biomarkers plays a particularly important role in some tumours, such as colorectal cancer or certain gastric tumours, where it allows for a more precise guidance in treatment selection.

The indication for each treatment is based on current scientific evidence and is continuously reviewed in light of observed efficacy, tolerability and disease progression.

Follow-up and monitoring of disease progression

Clinical monitoring enables us to assess the response to treatment, detect any progression of the disease and adjust the treatment strategy where necessary. This ongoing monitoring is an essential part of the management of gastrointestinal tumours, as many decisions need to be adjusted at different stages of the process.

Follow-up appointments are organised on an individual basis and enable not only the treatment to be adapted, but also side effects to be monitored and close coordination to be maintained with the other specialities involved in the patient’s care.

Support and guidance throughout the process

A diagnosis of a gastrointestinal tumour often involves complex decisions and the need to clearly understand what options are available and what can be expected from each of them.

From the very first consultation, we take the time needed to explain the clinical situation, the significance of the tests, the treatment options and the likely course of the condition in each case. The information is tailored to each patient’s needs, with the aim of facilitating a genuine understanding of the process and helping them make decisions with greater confidence.

Support is provided throughout the entire care journey, with close and ongoing communication that enables us to address any concerns, anticipate situations and approach treatment with greater confidence.