Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer

Upper gastrointestinal cancer includes cancers of the stomach, liver, and pancreas. These cancers, although less common, remain a major focus of EVMS Medical Group surgical oncologists. Surgery for these tumors is often complex and difficult.

The surgical oncologists of EVMS Medical Group are an experienced team with years of training and experience dealing with these more difficult and complex cancers.

Liver Cancer Both primary and secondary (metastatic) tumors of the liver can be surgically resected for cure. In addition to surgical resection, techniques such as radio frequency ablation, hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy, and chemoembolization are used when appropriate. Our surgeons use a coordinated approach to treat primary liver cancer, as well as metastatic liver cancer from colorectal or neuroendocrine cancers. They collaborate with interventional radiologists and medical oncologists to evaluate each patient and develop a comprehensive treatment plan individualized to the patient's circumstances.

Pancreatic Cancer Cancer of the pancreas remains one of the difficult cancers to treat. Aggressive surgical resection offers the best chance for cure. EVMS Medical Group Surgical Oncolgists favor the pylorus-sparing pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple procedure) for patients with carcinoma of the head of the pancreas. Most patients also receive chemotherapy and radiation therapy after surgery to help improve their chances for cure.