We offer and provide treatment for oesophageal and gastric cancers within the West Anglia Region. The service also treats benign conditions such as Achalasia, Hiatus Hernia, Abdominal Hernia's and Gallstones. The team who will look after you consists of consultant surgeons and junior doctors in training, specialist nurses, dieticians and physiotherapists. You may see just one or all of them depending on your condition.
What should I do if my health is deteriorating?
If you are waiting for your first outpatient’s appointment, please speak to your GP who can contact us and alert us to bring forward your appointment. If you are an existing patient, please contact your consultant’s secretary or your specialist nurse.
Upper GI Contact Information:
Specialist Upper GI Nurses: 01223 596383
Upper GI Dietitian: 01223 216655
Medical Secretaries to:
Mr Richard Hardwick, Mr Peter Safranek and Mr Stavros Gourgiotis - 01223 217421
Mr John Bennett, Mr Andrew Hindmarsh, Mr Robert O'Neill, Mr Vijayendran Sujendran and Miss Ayesha Noorani - 01223 348024
Admission Co-ordinator: 01223 274347/01223 586982
Upper Gastrointestinal cancers
Our Surgeons and Specialist teams help diagnose and treat Upper Gastrointestinal cancers such as Oesophagus, Stomach, GIST and HDGC.
Types of investigations
CT- A CT (computerized tomography) scan uses X-rays to produce images of the body. Patients undergo CT scans shortly before surgery to confirm the location of a tumour or other problem and to map the position of vital organs.
PET- PET stands for positron emission tomography. This is a test that creates 3 dimensional (3D) pictures of the inside of your body and allows us to see how organs are working. It also allows us to see tissues that are not working normally and presence of disease or other conditions.
EUS- EUS can help diagnose conditions in the upper GI tract (Oesophagus, stomach and duodenum), the lower GI tract (colon and rectum) and nearby organs including the lungs, pancreas, liver and gallbladder.
Staging Laparoscopy- A staging laparoscopy is a key-hole operation which is performed under general anaesthetic (you will be asleep). It involves looking inside your abdomen through three small cuts, using a special camera called a laparoscope.
Upper GI Clinical Nurse Specialist Team
Our Upper GI Specialist Team consists of five Clinical Nurse Specialists including Lead Clinical Nurse Specialist Ben Smith, Clinical Nurse Specialist Natalie Lee, Clinical Nurse Specialist Simple Joshi, GAL Clinical Nurse Specialist Catherine Hill & Dyspepsia Clinical Nurse Specialist Marianna Bellou.
We understand that being diagnosed with oesophageal or gastric cancer can be an upsetting and a daunting time for both you and your loved ones. We are here to help and support you and your loved ones through this life changing experience.
Our Clinical Nurse Specialist Team can provide:
- Information about your diagnosis, the tests that you might need and discuss what they involve.
- Information and advice about treatment options.
- Provide a link between the local hospitals where tests and treatments take place.
- Cancer Support, information and advice, including financial and emotional support.
- We help support the Upper GI Support Group for you if you have had an oesophagectomy or gastrectomy, which your family or carers are welcome to attend for support. This is done in collaboration with the Maggie’s Cancer Centre.
- Pre and post op support
- Nurse led clinics
- Telephone advice
Dyspepsia services
Our Dyspepsia Service is Nurse-led by two Clinical Nurse Specialists, Marianna Bellou and Catherine Hill that are part of the initial investigation process. This means that once you have undergone your gastroscopy, these specialist nurses will help co-ordinate the investigations needed to stage your cancer and provide advice through the early stages of your cancer diagnosis.
Once the investigations for staging the cancer have been completed, you will be handed over to the Upper GI Clinical Nurse Specialist Team.
We work closely as part of a multi-disciplinary team to provide information about your diagnosis, treatment options, specialised support and information for you, your family and carers throughout your treatment and after care.
For any enquiries, please contact our Dyspepsia Service Contact Number which is 01223 586930.
Cancer surgery follow-up
The UGI service helps monitor patients closely after surgery aiming to support recovery and quality of life.
Our clinics are situated in Clinic 4 Addenbrookes Hospital.
Our Follow up appointments are located in Clinic 12.
Upper GI Dietitian services
Our Upper GI Dietitians specialise predominately in the Oncology service we help assess, diagnose and treat dietary and nutritional problems, and help to identify requirements for patients to achieve and maintain optimum health.
We are here to look after patients through all stages of their treatment including diagnosis, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery we work closely with the surgeons and CNS’s and will review patients alongside the team in clinic.
We can support from diagnosis where you may be experiencing weight loss, swallowing problems or any other symptoms which may be affecting your oral intake.
During your treatment we can provide advice to optimise you nutrition whilst dealing with the side effects of treatment in order to keep you fit for coping with your treatment.
We are also part of the enhanced recovery team reviewing patients in preparation for surgery and for life after surgery. We review patients for up to 5 years post-op, providing advice and helping to manage any nutritional side effects or surgery as well as guidance on the overall dietary principles post op.
For enquires please contact Upper GI Specialist Dietitians on 01223 216655.
Resources for patients
Pre-surgery forms
- Day Surgery Unit and Theatre admissions
- Liver shrinkage diet for patients who are having laparoscopic surgery
Post-surgery forms
- DVLA fitness to drive after surgery information (opens in a new tab)
- Dietary advice following anti-reflux surgery
- https://www.cuh.nhs.uk/patient-information/enhanced-recovery-programme-information-for-patients-and-families/
Videos
We have produced some helpful information videos for our patients.
