During these challenging times Cancer Care of Western New York places your care first. CCWNY has implemented enhanced safety measures at all of our centers to help prevent the spread of COVID- 19.
Upon entry to the building you will be greeted by a medical professional and have your temperature taken. The clinical team member will ask you a few questions to assure you and the rest of our patients, physicians and staff remain safe.
The CDC guidelines located at www.cdc.gov will provide symptoms of COVID-19 along with a list of high risk individuals. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms presented or fall into a high risk category noted on the CDC Website please call us prior to your visit at (716) 844-5500 and one of our clinical team members will guide you on what appropriate actions to take.
Cancer Care of WNY
There are many types of cancer that can affect the organs of your gastrointestinal (GI) tract. As a group, these cancers are called gastrointestinal cancer.
Click here to download our GI cancer information sheet.
Types of GI cancer include:
- Colon cancer
- Gastrointestinal stromal tumors
- Rectal cancer
Signs and Symptoms
You may experience various symptoms of GI cancer, since your GI tract includes so many different organs in your body.
Some of the most common signs include:
- Pain or discomfort in your abdominal area
- Changes in your bowel habits (including shape, consistency and how often you go)
- Blood in your stool, or rectal bleeding
- Diminished appetite
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Unintentional weight loss
Screening and Diagnosis
Colon cancer screening examines your large intestine and rectum for cancer and precancerous signs. We recommend that most adults start getting screened for colon cancer when they turn 50. If you are at higher risk of getting colon cancer, your doctor may recommend you start getting screened even earlier.
Other types of GI cancer can be diagnosed through a variety of tests, including:
- Imaging and laboratory tests
- Biopsies (collecting a tissue sample)
- Endoscopy (using a scope to see inside your body)
Treatment Options
There are typically three ways to treat cancer 
:
- Surgery—A surgeon will attempt to remove the tumor and margin of normal tissue around the tumor. Some of the lymph nodes near the tumor may also be removed as part of the operation.
- Radiation—Radiation may be used before or after surgery as a part of a comprehensive treatment plan. Radiation is used to sterilize cancer cells within the treatment field. At Cancer Care of Western New York, we are committed to providing the latest in radiation treatment technology. We believe that having state-of-the-art equipment makes a real difference in the quality of care we provide to all of our patients. These external beam radiation treatments are fast, safe, and do not make you radioactive—it is fine for family members and friends to be around you.
- Chemotherapy—Chemotherapy may be used throughout the treatment course. For most GI cancers chemotherapy is delivered along with radiation.
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For more information about any of our services, please call 716-844-5500 for our Cheektowaga office, 716-338-9500 for our Jamestown office, or 716-898-2850 for our Niagara office, email info@cancercarewny.com, or fill out this online form.