Gastrointestinal (GI) Cancer Surgery

Focused on healing and recovery

When it comes to gastrointestinal (GI) cancer, personalized care makes all the difference. Experienced surgeons at UTMB Health will guide you from the first consultation through post-surgery recovery, whether you have esophageal, stomach, liver, pancreatic, or any other GI-related cancer. You’ll have a skilled multidisciplinary team by your side, guiding you from diagnosis and treatment planning to surgery and recovery. Our goal is to not only treat you, but to help you understand each step so you can heal with confidence.

Explore All Services

Explore All Cancer Care

Conditions We Treat

Services & Procedures

Bile Duct Resection

Colectomy / Proctectomy

Endoscopic Procedures for GI Cancer

Esophagectomy

Gallbladder Removal (Cholecystectomy)

Gastrectomy

GI Cancer Organ Resection

GI Lymph Node Dissection

Liver Resection (Hepatectomy)

Small Bowel Resection

Whipple Procedure

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Your Care Team

Each provider may treat different conditions. Click on a profile to see their areas of specialty.

General Surgery

Michael Erickson, DO

Surgery - General, Trauma, Acute Care, Burn Surgery, Surgical Critical Care

Laurel Humphrey, MD

Surgery - General

Matthew Hutter, MD, MPH, MBA

Surgery - General and GERD & Hiatal Hernia | Surgery - Bariatric Surgery

Michael Kueht, MD

Surgery - Transplant

Richard Lu, MD

Surgery - General, Complex Minimally-invasive Hernia Repair

Lauren McTaggart, MD

Surgery - General and GERD & Hiatal Hernia | Surgery - Bariatric Surgery

Sarah Samreen, MD

Surgery - General and GERD & Hiatal Hernia | Surgery - Bariatric Surgery

Colleen Silva, MD

Surgery - Breast Health and Oncology

Virginia Tran, MD

Surgery - General

J. Patrick Walker, MD, FACS

Surgery - General and Colorectal

Jessica Wu, MD

Surgery - General

Colorectal Surgery

Pamela Daher Tobia, MD

Surgery - Colorectal

Anthony D'Andrea, MD, MPH

Surgery - Colorectal

Uma Phatak, MD

Surgery - General and Colorectal

J. Patrick Walker, MD, FACS

Surgery - General and Colorectal

Surgical Oncology

Colleen Silva, MD

Surgery - Breast Health and Oncology

Raj Vaghjiani, MD

Surgery - Breast Health, Oncology and Pancreatic

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Will surgery cure my cancer, and will I need more treatment afterwards?

Surgery can cure some cancers if they are found early and fully removed. In other cases, it may help control the disease or relieve symptoms. Some patients need additional treatments like chemotherapy or radiation, depending on the cancer type and stage.
How do doctors decide if I need GI cancer surgery?

Doctors look at the size, location, and stage of the cancer. They also consider your overall health and test results before recommending surgery.
What are the different types of surgery for GI cancer?

Common types include removing part of an organ, minimally invasive surgery, and endoscopic procedures. The type depends on your specific condition.
Are there risks with GI cancer surgery?

All surgeries have risks, such as infection, bleeding, or reactions to anesthesia. Your care team will explain these risks before the procedure.
What does HPB stand for?

HPB stands for hepatopancreatobiliary, which refers to the liver, pancreas, and bile ducts.
What causes cancers in the liver, pancreas, and bile duct?

The exact cause is often not known. Risk factors may include chronic liver disease, smoking, long-term inflammation, or certain genetic conditions.
How are HPB cancers diagnosed?

Doctors may use imaging tests like CT scans or MRI, blood tests, and biopsies to help make a diagnosis.
Do all HPB cancers require surgery?

Not always. Treatment depends on the type and stage of cancer and may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or a combination of treatments.

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