The Tucker Gosnell Center for Gastrointestinal Cancers offers a collaborative and caring approach to the diagnosis and treatment of patients with confirmed or suspected colorectal cancer and is consistently ranked as one of the best in the country by U.S. News & World Report.
Precise diagnosis, tumor characterization and staging (determining whether the cancer has spread) are the basis for designing the most appropriate treatment plan for you. Our GI cancer pathologists sub-specialize in colorectal tumors and are internationally recognized and consulted on the diagnosis of colon and rectal cancer. They share information about each patient’s unique cancer in weekly tumor board meetings to help guide treatment planning.
Our diagnostic radiology team are nationally recognized for expertise in using the most advanced imaging tools to diagnose and stage colorectal cancer and to detect tumor changes. Our imaging technologies include:
Chemotherapy can be the most effective treatment for patients with colorectal cancer. Some new therapies that are currently available or in development are designed to block mutations and pathways that cause tumor cells to proliferate. By targeting tumor gene mutations, these “smart drugs” are helping doctors to understand how to stop cancerous cells in some patients' tumors without using standard chemotherapy and radiation.
Our surgical team:
We offer one of the few operating rooms specially designed to facilitate complex procedures, allowing multiple surgical subspecialists to work side-by-side.
Learn more about colorectal cancer surgery.
Mass General's Hepatic Artery Infusion Pump Program treats unresectable, metastatic colorectal liver cancer (cancer that has spread from the colon to the liver). Learn more about this highly specialized program.
In this video, Mass General provides its outcomes and performance data for colorectal surgery including rates of recovery and complications.
Our high volume of colectomies and proctectomies—and skilled team of highly rated colorectal surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses and pathologists—help us to attain expected results in treating patients with conditions of the colon (large intestine). Patients at Mass General have fewer complications compared to the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) norms.
View our surgical outcomes compared to national data
Our radiation oncologists use the most advanced therapies to treat colorectal cancer, many of which are available at only a few select hospitals. Radiation therapy may be given alone, or in combination with surgery and chemotherapy.
Learn about our gastrointestinal radiation oncology program.
Our team approach ensures that every patient benefits from an individualized, coordinated and compassionate treatment plan, with care provided by leading experts from many specialties. We consider patients and their family and friends involved in their care to be part of this team. We are dedicated to ensuring that patients fully understand their diagnosis and treatment options. Depending on the stage and other characteristics of your colorectal cancer, your treatment plan may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation or a combination of these therapies.
Your care team may include:
Members of your care team communicate regularly with you and your referring physician to ensure clear understanding and seamless coordination of care.
The Center for Young Adult Colorectal Cancer at Mass General Cancer Center was created to address the vast unmet needs of colorectal cancer patients under the age of 50 and to provide specialized and personalized care for these patients. Learn more.
Mass General Cancer Center is a leading provider of clinical trials in New England for colorectal cancers, making clinical trial evaluation of new therapies a key treatment option. The goal of clinical trials is to seek and answer scientific questions and to find better ways to prevent, diagnose or treat cancer. Current clinical trials for colorectal cancer include:
Find clinical trials for colorectal cancer
Principal Investigator: Kelsey Lau-Min, MD, MSCE
Description: PATHWAYS is a randomized controlled trial assessing the efficacy of an informational and supportive care intervention for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer who are receiving chemotherapy and/or radiation before possible surgery. This program consists of a comprehensive educational guide paired with four coaching sessions to help participants build skills for managing and coping with any challenges that may arise during their treatment.
Carlos Fernandez-del Castillo, MD
Colorectal cancer is a disease in which cancer (malignant) cells grow and multiply in the tissues of the colon or rectum.
We help identify families that may have a hereditary colon cancer syndrome.
Provides expert and lifelong care for individuals and families affected by Lynch syndrome.
Provides specialized & personalized care for patients under 50.
Mass General's Colorectal Surgery Program offers expert surgical care.
A checklist of items to bring with you for your first visit and helpful information.
We offer a variety of education and support resources to help you and your family.
We offer a wide range of integrative therapies, workshops and support groups.
Contact us to make an appointment or to learn more about our programs.
