Colorectal Cancer Doctors, Surgeons, and Other Experts
Overview
Your care team will include colon and rectal cancer doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers. They’ll use only the latest treatments. They’ll support you during and after your care.
Your care team will meet regularly to talk about your treatment. You’ll have a wide range of experts on your team. They’ll give you the best possible treatment and care.
Colon and rectal cancer diagnostic team
At MSK, colon and rectal cancer treatment starts with the correct diagnosis.
Your diagnostic team is responsible for identifying the type, location, and stage of colon or rectal cancer. We use tests such as colonoscopies and genetic tests. Once we have this information, we share it with your treatment team to find the best care plan for you.
Lead Genetic Counselor Margaret Sheehan (left), Dr. Zsofia K. Stadler, and Dr. Alicia Latham are experts in genetic testing to diagnose and treat colorectal cancer.
A radiologist is a doctor with special training in using imaging to diagnose and treat disease, such as colon cancer. Imaging includes X-rays, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
A pathologist is a doctor who uses a microscope to make a diagnosis from cell and tissue samples. They analyze the samples to learn more about a health issue, such as cancer.
Colon and rectal cancer treatment team
Your MSK care team will make sure you have the right colon and rectal cancer diagnosis.
Next, you’ll work with a treatment team led by 1 or more doctors who are experts in the type of colon or rectal cancer you have. At MSK, your treatment team has many experts, such as a:
- Medical oncologist (cancer doctor)
- Radiation oncologist (doctor who uses radiation to treat cancer)
- Surgical oncologist (surgeon who treats cancer)
- Gastroenterologist (doctor with special training in the gastrointestinal (GI) system)
Each member of your team has a special set of skills. They all work together to make a plan that will lead to the best possible results for you.
A gastrointestinal (GAS-troh-in-TES-tih-nul) medical oncologist is a cancer doctor with special training in gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. This includes colon and rectal cancers.
A radiation oncologist is a cancer doctor with special training in using radiation therapy (RT) to treat cancer.
A colorectal surgeon is a doctor with special training in surgery on the colon and rectum.
A gastroenterologist (GAS-troh-EN-teh-RAH-loh-jist) is a doctor with special training in the gastrointestinal (GI) system. This includes screening, preventing, and treating cancers in the rectum and colon.
An advanced practice provider is a healthcare provider with special training who works alone or with your doctor to care for you. Examples are nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs).
MSK leads the nation in doing the most colorectal robotic surgeries. Our surgical skills with this technology come from many years of experience. MSK surgeons do more than 700 robot-assisted colorectal surgeries each year. Almost half of our surgeries for colorectal cancer are done robotically.
Colon and rectal cancer support team
To us, you’re more than a diagnosis. You’re a person with a life beyond cancer. We want to help you get back to it.
That’s why your MSK care team includes experts who focus on helping you and your family face challenges. There will be hurdles that come up while you’re in our care, and after active treatment ends. We’re here to support you.
A social worker is a healthcare provider with special training in helping people cope with problems in their lives. They support you emotionally, socially, and physically by providing counseling and practical assistance.
Anal cancer care team
Your MSK care team will make sure you have the right anal cancer treatment, diagnosis, and follow-up care.
Your care team has doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers who are experts in anal cancer. They include:
- Surgeons
- Medical oncologists (cancer doctors)
- Radiation oncologists (doctors who use radiation to treat cancer)
- Radiologists (doctors who are experts in imaging)
Each member of your team has a special set of skills. They all work together to make a plan that will lead to the best possible results for you.
A colorectal surgeon is a doctor with special training in surgery on the colon and rectum. Many colorectal surgeons also have expertise in anal cancer surgery.
A gastrointestinal (GAS-troh-in-TES-tih-nul) medical oncologist is a cancer doctor with special training in gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. This includes anal cancer.
A radiation oncologist is a cancer doctor with special training in using radiation therapy (RT) to treat cancer.
A radiologist is a doctor with special training in using imaging to diagnose and treat disease, such as anal cancer. Imaging includes X-rays, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
An advanced practice provider is a healthcare provider with special training who works alone or with your doctor to care for you. Examples are nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs).
A social worker is a healthcare provider with special training in helping people cope with problems in their lives. They support you emotionally, socially, and physically by providing counseling and practical assistance.
A pathologist is a doctor who uses a microscope to make a diagnosis from cell and tissue samples. They analyze the samples to learn more about a health issue, such as cancer.
MSK leads the nation in doing the most colorectal robotic surgeries. Our surgical skills with this technology come from many years of experience. MSK surgeons do more than 700 robot-assisted colorectal surgeries each year. Almost half of our surgeries for colorectal cancer are done robotically.