Upper gastro-intestinal (GI) cancer

Upper gastro-intestinal (GI) cancers include oesophageal, stomach, small bowel, pancreas, liver, and the biliary system.

Some GI cancers can be difficult to diagnose, therefore tests followed by a cancer stage (0-4) and management are crucial.

Referrals mostly come from GPs on a suspected cancer pathway and other departments within the Trust due to suspected cancer during other tests. You may need to have many scans, blood tests, biopsies or other tests.

To find out more about upper GI cancer, visit:

What we offer

  • Gastroenterology diagnostic tests (scans, gastroscopy, blood test, stents).
  • Gastroenterology diagnostic face to face chat.
  • Gastroenterology ward.
  • Oncology services.
  • Oncology registrar outpatient clinic.
  • Curative and palliative chemotherapy.
  • Symptom control, curative, palliative radiotherapy.
  • Nurse led services.

Basildon

The upper GI service at Basildon Hospital provide services for both malignant and non-malignant patients. Non-malignant patients are offered surveillance for up to five years with six monthly or yearly scans (IPMN) or gastroscopy (Barrett’s) alongside blood tests and reviews where needed.

Our clinical nurse specialist team works alongside the gastroenterologist and oncology consultant pre/during diagnosis and during treatment. We also work closely with other specialist centres for patients requiring surgery, investigations, or treatment.

Oncology patients are seen by the oncologist at Basildon, treatment given at Southend Hospital.

Administrative support plays an integral part of our team, jobs include onward referrals to specialist centres, chase results and take messages where needed.

Basildon is a diagnostic centre, however after diagnosis we may need to refer to other specialist centres for surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and other intervention.

These centres include:

  • Broomfield Hospital (MSE) oesophageal and stomach cancers, GISTs, dysplastic Barrett’s.
  • Royal London Hospital (RLH) liver, pancreatic, biliary system, small bowel.
  • Royal Free Hospital (RFH) liver (hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)
  • University College Hospital (UCLH) sarcoma.
  • Queens Hospital Romford (BHRUT) oesophageal.

Broomfield

We are a specialist centre for the surgical and non-surgical management of upper GI Cancers, taking referrals from Basildon, Southend, Colchester and Ipswich Hospitals.

The surgical team include five consultant upper GI surgeons, providing 24/7 on-call cover for upper GI emergencies, as well as advice and support to colleagues in referring hospitals. The team also includes four clinical nurse specialists and a dedicated upper GI specialist dietitian who provides support for patients, both in hospital and at home.

The service is also supported by the gastroenterology team to provide the following:

  • Straight to test service (fastrack test for suspected cancer referrals).
  • Gastroenterology diagnostic tests (scans, gastroscopy, blood test, stents).
  • Specialist diagnostic tests such as endoscopic ultrasound and spyglass.

The upper GI service also provides oncological treatments, overseen by three clinical oncologists. These include:

  • Curative chemotherapy and radiotherapy (radiotherapy delivered at Southend).
  • Palliative chemotherapy and radiotherapy, as well as symptom control and supportive care.
  • Immunotherapy.

Patients with cancer of the liver, pancreas, gall bladder, duodenum and bile duct (hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) cancers) are seen at Broomfield for their initial investigations, but referred to our tertiary referral centre, the Royal Free Hospital, if they require surgery. Patients will have their chemotherapy at Broomfield.

Broomfield also runs a cancer support group for patients affected by oesophageal (food pipe) and stomach cancers on the first Friday of every month between 10.30am and 12noon, held in the Medical Academic Unit (MAU) at Broomfield Hospital.

Southend

Gastroenterology department for pre-diagnostic.

Gastroenterology consultant.

Staging scan and tissue diagnosis are being arranged including other endoscopic interventional procedure.

Oncology department – With confirmed cancer diagnosis provide oncology treatment:   chemotherapy and radiotherapy (curative/non-curative).

The clinical nurse specialist and cancer support worker provide patient support as your key worker and will support you from pre-diagnostic, treatment and post treatment plan.

Patient with surgical treatment options will be discussed at separate multidisciplinary team to our specialised surgical centre:

  • UGI (Oesophagus and stomach) Broomfield Hospital.
  • HBP (duodenum, pancreas, bile duct, gall bladder and liver) Royal London Hospital.
  • Oncology treatment such as curative and non-curative chemotherapy and RT are done locally in Southend.
  • Hepato-cellular carcinoma treatments apart from systemic chemotherapy are provided at RLH.

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Meet the team

Basildon

  • 3 upper clinical nurse specialist for hepatobilary (HPB) pancreas and bile duct.
  • 1 gastroenterologist.
  • 1 upper GI consultant oncologists.
  • 1 administrator.

Broomfield

  • 5 upper GI consultant surgeons.
  • 2 upper GI consultant oncologists.
  • 1 consultant hepatologist (HPB).
  • 1 hepatobilary (HPB) consultant oncologist.
  • 3 upper GI/hepatobilary (HPB) clinical nurse specialists.
  • 1 Macmillan associate upper GI/ hepatobilary (HPB)  cancer nurse.
  • 1 upper GI specialist dietitian.

Southend

  • 1 oncology consultant.
  • 1 oncology registrar.
  • 2 upper GI oncology clinical nurse specialist.
  • 1 cancer support worker.

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Contact us

You can get in touch with one of the team at:

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