Recognized for High-Quality Care
You’ll be in skilled hands at our cancer centers. U.S. News and World Report ranked Cone Health “high performing” in colon cancer surgery for 2025. This ranking puts us in the top 10% of hospitals evaluated. It reflects our high level of experience and our better-than-average:
- Patient survey ratings about their quality of care
- Rate of sending hospital patients home because they’re doing well
- Nursing care per patient
Full Team in Your Corner
Many of Cone Health’s 500 cancer specialists meet regularly to review your current health and adjust your treatment plan. That means timely, complete care for all your needs.
Nurse Navigators Guide You Through GI Cancer
Cancer care can feel overwhelming with all the specialists, tests, and appointments. Cone Health’s nurse navigators guide you through it all, so you can focus on healing. You’ll see a GI cancer navigator at our cancer centers at Wesley Long in Greensboro or Alamance Regional in Burlington. At our other cancer centers, you may see a general navigator with experience in GI care. Reach out to this expert any time you have questions. Learn more about our navigation services that help treatment go smoothly.
Gastrointestinal Cancers We Treat
You’ll find care at Cone Health for many cancers of the digestive tract, including:
- Colon cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Liver cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Rectal cancer
- Stomach (gastric) cancer
Treating Digestive Cancers
Depending on your specific condition and situation, your care team may recommend one or more of these treatments.
Surgery for Colon Cancer
For early-stage colon cancer, surgery could be your first treatment. Your surgeon may perform a colectomy to remove the part of your intestine with the tumor. Ask if your surgeon will use Cone Health’s robotic technology at Alamance Regional Medical Center in Burlington or Annie Penn Hospital in Reidsville. It makes surgery less invasive, leading to a faster recovery and less pain. No matter what technology your surgeon uses, we’ll help make your recovery as easy as possible.
Whipple Procedure for Pancreatic Cancer
Depending on the location of your tumor, the Whipple procedure at Cone Health could help you live longer. It removes part of your pancreas and some nearby healthy tissue and organs. Afterward, the surgeon sews your digestive tract back together.
Usually, only major academic hospitals offer this complex surgery. But you have access to it in your community, right here at Cone Health.
Less Invasive Surgery for Rectal Cancer
You may benefit from transanal endoscopic microsurgery, which removes rectal tumors without an incision. This approach reduces bleeding and recovery time. Ask your surgeon about the best technique for your situation.
Chemotherapy
You could receive chemo:
- Before surgery to shrink a tumor and make it easier and safer to remove
- After surgery to reduce the risk of cancer’s return
You can trust us for safe, effective care. All our cancer centers use the latest technology to precisely prepare your drug regimen so you get exactly the right doses. Learn about our comfortable chemotherapy treatment areas with amenities for you and a loved one.
Radiation Therapy
For colon cancer, you might not receive radiation unless the cancer spreads to your rectum or other areas. For pancreatic cancer, you may benefit from Cone Health’s advanced radiation technology. It delivers high-dose, precise treatment to tumors that a surgeon can’t safely remove. It also limits radiation exposure to nearby healthy tissue, so you have fewer side effects.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy could be part of your care plan for advanced cancer in your colon, stomach, or esophagus. This treatment uses the power of your own immune system to fight cancer.
Clinical Trials
Ask your doctor whether you qualify for a cancer clinical trial that evaluates a promising new approach to care. If you choose to take part in a clinical trial, you could get a treatment that’s not yet widely available. You don’t have to travel far for the latest care because Cone Health brings it to you in Greensboro, High Point, Burlington, Asheboro, and Reidsville.
Genetic Counseling & Testing
Some digestive cancers result in part from unusual DNA you received from your parents. Genetic services help you and your family learn your inherited cancer risk. The information can:
- Guide treatment choices
- Reveal other cancer risks you should know about
- Help your family take steps to reduce their risk of cancer
Make an appointment for genetic counseling and testing to protect your future health.
Care for Your Whole Well-Being
Cancer affects almost every part of your life. That’s why Cone Health offers many support services to make things easier for you. You’ll feel better thanks to:
- Nutrition counseling—Works with you to adjust your diet to reduce the side effects of cancer treatment
- Financial advocacy—Helps you find resources to pay for medicine and other treatments
- Palliative care and integrative therapies—Relieve symptoms like stress, pain, and nausea
- Social work—Connects you to community resources for everyday needs, like transportation and help at home
- Support groups—Offer encouragement and empathy for you and your family
- Rehabilitation—Builds your strength and stamina during or after treatment
