When patients receive a diagnosis of gastrointestinal cancer, such as stomach, colon, or pancreatic cancer, it can be devastating news. However, when the cancer spreads to the abdominal cavity and becomes peritoneal carcinomatosis, patients are often given a grim prognosis with only a few months to live. Despite this severity, there are various treatment options available for patients at UT Health San Antonio.
Dr. Mio Kitano is a surgical oncologist at UT Health San Antonio who specializes in gastrointestinal tumors and malignancies. She emphasizes that despite the severity of carcinomatosis, there are various treatment options available for patients at UT Health San Antonio. Dr. Kitano highlights Cytoreductive surgery as one of the main treatments offered at UT Health San Antonio. This procedure involves removing cancerous deposits on the surface of abdominal organs and dispensable organs with tumor deposits such as the spleen, small bowel, and large bowel.
Furthermore, hot chemotherapy is utilized to target any microscopic cells that may remain after surgery. This comprehensive approach aims to eradicate cancer cells and improve patient outcomes. As an associate professor in the Department of Surgery and a surgical oncologist at the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio, Dr. Kitano is at the forefront of gastrointestinal cancer treatment through innovative surgical techniques and personalized care plans she offers hope to patients facing peritoneal carcinomatosis.
The collaborative effort between TPR and The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio showcases the advancements in scientific discovery that are improving medical practices and patient outcomes.
In conclusion, while receiving a diagnosis of peritoneal carcinomatosis can be overwhelming for patients; with treatments like Cytoreductive surgery available at UT Health San Antonio’s Mays Cancer Center through Dr. Kitano’s expertise, hope is not lost for those facing this disease.