Oesophago-gastric
Cancers

I am a surgeon member of the specialist multidisciplinary team at University Hospital Southampton, where we treat people with confirmed and suspected cancers as well as benign tumours of the oesophagus and stomach. As well as our local Southampton population my team also treats patients form surrounding areas and further afield including Winchester, Basingstoke, Salisbury, Isle of Wight and the Channel Islands.

Additionally I also work with other expert specialists in the following areas:

• Oncology
• Radiology 
• Anaesthesia
• Per-operative Medicine
• Nutrition and Dietetics
• Critical Care
• Palliative Care

Decision making in the management of oesophageal and gastric cancers is often complex and is expertly supported by our team approach to care of those referred into our service. All of our clinical practice is patient centred, and we are trust champions of shared decision making in partnership with our patients.

Complex decisions that are well informed required input from clinic experts and review of fitness, general health and the extent of any tumours. Through careful assessment and investigation through the treatment pathway we can asses risks and benefits of different treatment strategies, share and explain uncertainties where these exist and then come to a decision that works best for an individual patient.

All care is underpinned by our clinical nurse specialist team who work across clinical specialty boundaries and are a constant, consistent point of contact. As an academic centre for oesophageal cancer, our research activity spans from the laboratory bench to the bedside and practical care of patients. Our aim is that all patients on our treatment pathway will contribute to growth in our knowledge and understanding of the tumour biology and behaviour of oesophageal cancer and will receive the best available treatment. This also allows us to work with patients to undertake the opportunity to participate in high quality research if there are any uncertainties ensuring we can help many others.

I am personally very proud to be a member of the specialist team in Southampton, its high level of functionality and the outstanding surgical outcomes and care we deliver to our patients.

Further information about oesophageal and gastric cancers are available from:

Cancer research UK: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/

Macmillan Cancer Support: https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/oesophageal-cancer – https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support

Heartburn Cancer UK: https://www.heartburncanceruk.org/