The Yale Medicine Gastrointestinal Motility Program is led by a team of gastroenterologists who subspecialize in motility disorders. We work in collaboration with radiologists, colorectal, surgeons, GI surgeons, thoracic surgeons, urologists, urogynecologists, and physical therapists to care for patients with complex motility disorders. As part of our multidisciplinary approach, our team meets monthly to discuss complex cases to ensure that each patient receives an individualized treatment plan. We strive to provide excellent care in a compassionate way. Our state-of-the-art services include: The Bravo pH Monitoring System, a catheter-free instrument that measures acidity levels in patients suspected of having gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). A small capsule is attached to the wall of the esophagus, which transmits data to a pager-sized receiver, which is worn for 48 hours. During this time, patients push a button whenever they experience symptoms, so we can determine if the symptoms correlate with incidents of acid reflux. When the test is over, data from the receiver is downloaded to pH analysis software, where it is analyzed. The SmartPill Capsule, a new technology available at only about a dozen medical centers around the country. The ingestible, wireless capsule measures pressure, pH, and temperature as it moves through the GI tract, allowing physicians to identify where abnormalities in intestinal transit are located. The SmartPill transmits information to a data receiver worn by patients. After the capsule has passed from the body, patients return the receiver to the physician, who is able to display and analyze the data within minutes. Impedance monitoring is a catheter-based system that enables doctors to diagnose nonacid reflux. Patients wear the monitoring system for 24 hours, and push a button whenever they experience symptoms. Physicians then download and analyze the data to determine whether the reflux is acidic or nonacidic, and whether the symptoms correlate with incidents of reflux.

The Center for Thoracic Cancers at Smilow Cancer Hospital consists of a multidisciplinary team of experts dedicated to providing evaluation of and treatment for patients with a thoracic malignancy, including lung cancer, esophageal cancer, thymoma, or chest wall tumors. Patients in Connecticut and beyond have access to nationally recognized expert clinicians, who provide an organized, collaborative approach to cancer care, as well as the latest technologies and treatments. Our team consists of a collaboration of specialty physicians, including medical oncology, radiation oncology, thoracic surgery, pulmonary medicine, digestive diseases, pathology, diagnostic imaging, and nursing. In addition to our expert clinicians, patients also receive comprehensive care to help with the physical, emotional, and psychological issues that are part of confronting cancer. Patients also benefit from the attention of the team's care coordinators, who make management of even the most detailed multidisciplinary treatment plan less complicated. Our team is active in clinical research, and focuses on developing advances to care in areas of thoracic oncology where the standard treatment needs improvement and where the optimal treatment approach remains unclear. To provide the best care, most of our patients are enrolled in a clinical trial where they can receive innovative therapy for their advanced disease, including immunotherapy, which was first used in clinical trials at Smilow Cancer Hospital. The Center for Thoracic Cancers offers second opinions that are easy, convenient, and all done remotely. Call (203) 200-LUNG for more information and learn how to schedule a second opinion appointment with one of our providers. Medical Oncology Our medical oncologists are nationally recognized for their leadership and expertise in lung cancer treatment and research, and are dedicated to offering personalized treatment options. Biomarker testing is often performed on the tumor to look for specific mutations that can be targeted by medication. There are currently FDA-approved lung cancer treatments for tumors showing abnormalities in EGFR, KRAS, ALK, ROS1, BRAF V600E, MET, RET , and NTRK genes. Recent studies conducted at Yale have led to FDA approval of drugs for the treatment of lung cancer, such as the immunotherapy drug Tecentriq (atezolizumab), which has been proven to improve patient survival for newly diagnosed NSCLC. This drug is designed to block PD-L1, a protein that was discovered by scientists at Yale and that has been instrumental in improving survival for lung cancer patients. Another FDA-approved drug, osimertinib, which stemmed from Yale Cancer Center and Smilow Cancer Hospital researchers, was approved for the treatment of adults with early-stage NSCLC with EGFR gene mutations. Surgery Many patients in need of surgery are referred for a minimally invasive surgery known as a video-assisted thoracoscopi

In 2001, the Yale Inflammatory Bowel Disease Program was formed to address the challenges faced by patients with complex, lifelong, gastrointestinal, inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Our team-based approach employs a gastroenterologist, physician assistant, and a team of nurses and medical assistants to share the responsibilities of our patients’ medical care. Following evidence-based guidelines, the IBD team will work closely together to plan and coordinate a comprehensive plan of care personalized to each patient, who will have the opportunity to meet the IBD team members during a visit. The key to effective management of the disease is coordinated care among specially trained, internationally recognized physicians with expertise in inflammatory bowel disease. Our experienced team also includes nutritionists, surgeons, radiologists, and pathologists. Our medical and surgical specialists are available at the same visit to provide comprehensive care. Our enterostomal nurses work with families to manage ostomy care and provide support. Treatment for ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease usually begins with medical therapy. While surgery can be a primary therapy for certain symptoms of IBD, it is usually reserved as a supplement to medical therapy. The goal of GI surgery is to restore function, using bowel-conserving surgery, including minimally invasive surgery where appropriate. In order to properly diagnose and treat patients with IBD, doctors must perform visual examinations of the gastrointestinal tract through procedures known as endoscopies. The three most common procedures are as follows: colonoscopy, upper endoscopy, and capsule endoscopy. Each procedure visualizes a different section of the gastrointestinal tract. Colonoscopy—Sigmoidoscopy: These procedures allow doctors to evaluate the entire large intestine and the end of the small intestine called the ileum. In patients with inflammatory bowel disease, a colonoscopy is required for evaluation of the disease activity and for colon cancer screening. Some patients may undergo a sigmoidoscopy, which only views the first third of the large intestine. Upper Endoscopy (EGD): This procedure allows evaluation of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. In patients with inflammatory bowel disease, an upper endoscopy evaluates disease involvement in the upper region of the digestive tract. Capsule Endoscopy: The newest diagnostic procedure, it allows evaluation of the small intestine not accessible by upper endoscopy and colonoscopy. A tiny camera contained in a capsule passes naturally through the digestive tract while transmitting video images to a data recorder. Images of the small bowel are downloaded to a computer and reviewed by a physician. Chromoendoscopy: Chromoendoscopy is a technique performed during colonoscopy to enhance the detection of pre-cancerous areas in the colon. It uses a blue dye that temporarily stains the colon wall du