Dr. Pilar García Alfonso is a medical oncologist at Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón in Madrid, Spain. The hospital identifies her as head of the Digestive Tumors, Neuroendocrine Tumors and Thromboembolic Disease Unit and as the clinician responsible for colorectal tumors within that unit. Her professional field includes medical oncology and the multidisciplinary treatment of gastrointestinal cancers.

Medical Oncology and Professional Background

Medical oncology involves the use of systemic therapies to treat cancer. The type of treatment recommended depends on the cancer's origin, stage, pathology, molecular characteristics, previous treatment, and the patient's general health.

Dr. García Alfonso's hospital role is focused on digestive malignancies, particularly colorectal cancer. The hospital's Medical Oncology Department has separate specialist teams for colorectal, hepatobiliary and pancreatic, gastroesophageal, and neuroendocrine tumors.

This organization allows patients to receive care from clinicians working in specific tumor areas and supports multidisciplinary discussion of complex cases.

Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment

Colorectal cancer develops in the colon or rectum. Diagnosis generally involves clinical evaluation, endoscopic assessment, tissue biopsy, and imaging to determine the extent of disease. Pathology and molecular testing may provide additional information that helps guide treatment.

Treatment depends on whether the cancer is localized, locally advanced, or metastatic. Surgery may be the principal treatment for selected localized cancers, while systemic therapies can be used before or after surgery or for advanced disease.

Medical oncology treatment may include chemotherapy, targeted therapies, or immunotherapy for selected patients according to tumor biomarkers and clinical indications. The choice of therapy depends on the individual's diagnosis and should be made after reviewing diagnostic findings and treatment history.

Gastrointestinal Oncology

Gastrointestinal oncology covers malignancies of the digestive tract and associated organs, including colorectal, gastric, esophageal, pancreatic, and hepatobiliary cancers.

These cancers differ in their biology, staging systems, and treatment options. Patients may require coordinated assessment by medical oncologists, gastrointestinal surgeons, gastroenterologists, radiologists, pathologists, and radiation oncologists.

The hospital's oncology department identifies separate specialist responsibilities for colorectal tumors, hepatobiliary and pancreatic tumors, gastroesophageal tumors, and neuroendocrine tumors. Dr. García Alfonso is listed as responsible for colorectal tumors.

Multidisciplinary Care and Research

Cancer care frequently requires several specialists to review the same case. Multidisciplinary teams may discuss pathology, imaging, surgical options, systemic therapy, and supportive care to determine a coordinated treatment plan.

The hospital describes clinical and translational research as part of its Medical Oncology Department. Its oncology research unit supports work involving new therapies, clinical trials, and approaches to improving cancer treatment.

Clinical trial access depends on current recruitment, eligibility criteria, diagnosis, previous treatments, and other clinical factors. Patients should confirm trial availability with the treating team rather than assume enrollment is possible.

Information for International Patients

Patients travelling to Madrid for colorectal or gastrointestinal cancer care should bring colonoscopy or endoscopy reports, pathology results, CT or MRI imaging, previous surgery records, molecular test results, and a list of medications.

A clear summary of previous cancer treatments, including treatment dates and any side effects, can help the medical team evaluate the case. Additional investigations may be required before a definitive treatment recommendation can be made.

Dr. Pilar García Alfonso is listed by Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón as head of its digestive and neuroendocrine tumor unit and as the clinician responsible for colorectal tumors. Her profile is suitable for a directory covering colorectal and gastrointestinal oncology services in Spain.