RUSH MD Anderson Cancer Center offers leading-edge treatments for GI cancers, including targeted therapies, immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and minimally invasive surgical options. Our multidisciplinary team of medical oncologists, gastroenterologists, surgical oncologists, colorectal surgeons and interventional radiologists work together to provide our patients with tailored treatment plans to each patient’s specific diagnosis and needs.

Audrey Kam, MD, is the director of GI medical oncology at RUSH MD Anderson, as well as the research director of GI medical oncology at RUSH MD Anderson. She specializes in treating gastrointestinal cancers including colorectal, esophageal, gastrointestinal, liver, pancreatic and stomach cancers.

Sam Pappas, MD, is the Division Chief of Surgical Oncology at Rush University Medical Center. He specializes in treating upper abdominal cancers, including ones in the esophagus, stomach, pancreas, liver and bile duct.

“We love collaborating in immediate proximity to each other within RUSH MD Anderson. This helps to ensure coordinated, multidisciplinary discussions that are patient-focused,” explains Dr. Pappas.

In this episode, Ihsan Kaadan, MD, MS, discusses how he and Rush clinicians provide tailored, wraparound care for patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) and chronic venous insufficiency. We also profile Dr. Kaadan’s unique role in guiding Rush’s multidisciplinary approach to treat these conditions, where he works with cardiologists, vascular surgeons and interventional radiologists to deliver optimal patient care.

Dr Kaadan is a vascular medicine specialist in the Rush University System for Health; he evaluates and treats patients with complex arterial and vein disorders.

“It’s a one-stop shop at Rush, which sets us apart. A patient can come to the vascular medicine clinic, get evaluated for their disease, then start treatment either with me or one of my colleagues in cardiology or interventional radiology. Patients can also receive cardiac rehab and occupational and physician therapy, so they’re supported throughout their entire experience

At RUSH MD Anderson Cancer Center, oncologists provide patient-centered, cutting-edge care, such as immunotherapies, targeted therapies and minimally invasive surgeries for the treatment of lung cancer. In addition, RUSH MD Anderson clinicians offer patients access to some of the most innovative clinical trials available nationwide.

In this episode, Helen Ross, MD, discusses some of the exciting new clinical trials that Rush is participating in, as well as rising rates of lung cancer in young adults and how to best care for them.

Helen Ross, MD, is a thoracic medical oncologist and an expert in the care of patients with cancers of the chest, including lung cancers, mesothelioma and thymic cancers. Dr. Ross is director of research and clinical trials at RUSH MD Anderson. She is also a professor in the Department of Internal Medicine and serves as interim chief of the Division of Hematology, Oncology and Cellular Therapy.

“We’re only opening clinical trials onsite that are the right fit for our patients. We have an expedited review at RUSH MD Anderson to cut activation time and are working to further reduce that time to bring those trials more quickly to our patients.”