Young-Onset Gastrointestinal Cancer Program

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers are on the rise in young people in the U.S. and worldwide. These cancers, including appendix, bile duct, gallbladder, liver, pancreas and stomach, can be particularly challenging for young people as they try to navigate treatment along with their careers, family life and goals for the future.

UT MD Anderson’s Young-Onset Gastrointestinal Cancer Program is here to offer specialized care and support designed for patients under 50 years of age with GI cancer.

The program connects young GI cancer patients with a team of physicians and healthcare professionals from one of the nation’s top-ranked cancer centers.

Patients get personalized care, starting at diagnosis and continuing on to treatment and survivorship. Care at UT MD Anderson includes access to new, emerging and advanced therapies, including clinic trials. Additionally, patients are connected with resources and services that help them manage the impact of cancer on their lives.

Treatment for GI cancer in young adults

Patients in UT MD Anderson’s Young-Onset Gastrointestinal Cancer Program receive care from a dedicated team of expert GI cancer physicians. This team may include a medical oncologist, surgeon, radiation oncologist and gastroenterologist. These clinicians work closely together to design a treatment plan tailored to each patient’s unique needs and preferences.

Support for young GI cancer patients

The Young-Onset Gastrointestinal Cancer Program partners with nurse navigators, social workers, and counselors who talk with patients about their values, preferences, concerns and barriers to care. Patients are then connected to UT MD Anderson services and resources that address these issues. Specialty services may include:

Genetic counseling and testing for patients and their family.
An oncofertility program for both men and women whose ability to have children may be impacted by cancer and its treatments.
Sexual health support, helping people deal with issues such as sexual activity during treatment and changes in sexual function.
Smoking cessation support, which can help patients break their addiction to nicotine.
Supportive care and pain management to help patients with pain and symptom management.
Parenting support, to help patients talk to children about cancer.
Psychiatric care and psychological counseling, including treatment for anxiety and depression, as well as emotional distress in caregivers.
Nutrition counseling, which can help patients develop nutrition plans for their time in active treatment and into survivorship.
Weight loss medicine, which can help patients who are trying to lose weight during or after cancer treatment.
Social work counseling, which can include help with employment, insurance and financial issues, as well as adjusting to a cancer diagnosis.
Opportunities to connect with other cancer patients through support groups, such as the Adolescent and Young Adult Program and myCancerConnection.
Integrative medicine services, including music therapy, oncology massage and yoga therapy.
Physical therapy and occupational therapy to help patients recover from GI cancer and its treatments.

Young-onset GI cancer research

UT MD Anderson offers clinical trials for all types of GI cancer. Young GI cancer patients may have the chance to participate in these studies. Research areas include:

New cancer drugs, including targeted therapies and immunotherapies.
Advanced surgical techniques that could improve outcomes and make recovery easier.
Emerging technologies or tests to treat or detect cancer.
Quality of life and patient-reported outcomes.
Risk factors for GI cancer in young people.

Learn more about clinical trials at UT MD Anderson.