Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition

Gastrointestinal Cancer Prevention and Treatment Center

Cancers of the gastrointestinal tract, including cancers of the esophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas, colon and rectum are common.  Prevention, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment require sophisticated knowledge, and patients with these diseases benefit from input from a team of multiple specialists including oncologists, surgeons, radiologists, and pathologists.  If a cancer is diagnosed, the Gastrointestinal Cancer Prevention and Treatment Center coordinates care with the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute.  Treatment, if necessary, reflects multi-disciplinary collaboration and utilizes minimally invasive treatment options including endoscopic resection, ablative therapies, and laparoscopic surgery when appropriate.

Physician scientists from this center continue to lead pioneering studies in cancer screening, cancer control, and prevention.  One of the Division’s featured studies is the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial, which examines the effectiveness of cancer screening tests and is one of the largest trials in the world, having randomized nearly 155,000 men and women ages 55 to 74.  Dr. Robert Schoenserves as the principal investigator for the Colon Organ Site Committee for this study and coordinates all of the study’s colon projects.

Barrett’s Esophagus Specialty Treatment Clinic

Barrett’s esophagus is a pre-cancerous condition of the esophagus caused by chronic acid reflux. Although this condition carries a low cancer risk, risk is increased in patients with dysplasia. Dysplasia is rated as low or high grade via pathology review of biopsy specimens. Our Barrett’s Esophagus Specialty Treatment (BEST) Clinic offers exciting new endoscopic technology for the diagnosis and treatment of Barrett’s esophagus with dysplasia such as:

• Narrow Band Imaging
• Endoscopic Mucosal Resection
• Radiofrequency Ablation
• Cryotherapy

BEST Clinic specialty treatment physicians have extensive experience in ablative therapy for Barrett’s esophagus. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Kevin McGrath or Dr. Kenneth Fasanella, please call 412-648-9325.

Physicians and Physician Extenders

• Robert E. Schoen, MD, MPH – Director, Gastrointestinal Cancer Prevention and Treatment Center
• Randall Brand, MD – Director, GI Malignancy Early Detection, Diagnosis & Prevention Program
• Jennifer S. Chennat, MD
• Kenneth E. Fasanella, MD
• Asif Khalid, MD
• James B. McGee, MD
• Kevin M. McGrath, MD
• Georgios I. Papachristou, MD, PhD
• Adam Slivka, MD, PhD
• David C. Whitcomb, MD, PhD
• Heather Hathy, PA-C
• Corinne Fanelli, PA-C