Oesophageal and Gastric Cancer

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My initial training in radical surgery for stomach and oesophageal cancer was with Henry Sue Ling and Professor David Johnston in Leeds. Leeds was the first unit in the UK to employ Japanese style radical cancer surgery, and has produced some of the best survival statistics in the Western world as a result.

I subsequently undertook a sabbatical to the Gastric Cancer division of the National Cancer Center Hospital in Tokyo, which has consistently benchmarked the best available outcomes from gastric cancer surgery in the world. This was a prestigious opportunity funded by a personal grant from the Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research.

I have developed techniques for laparoscopic (minimally invasive) surgery for oesophageal and gastric cancer and have been performing these operations in Leeds since 2002. I maintain a targeted approach to cancer, using radical techniques where appropriate, but seeking to preserve quality of life where possible. I perform function preserving surgery where possible for early disease, gastro-intestinal stromal tumours (GIST) and prophylactic gastrectomy for familial gastric cancer.

I have held several teaching and administrative roles in upper GI cancer management

  • Faculty of the Royal College of Surgeons D2 gastrectomy course
  • Lead clinician for the West Yorkshire multidisciplinary team
  • Chairman of the Yorkshire Cancer Network (Upper GI site specific group).