Division of Surgical Oncology
UMass Chan Medical School, Division of Surgical Oncology and Endocrine Surgery, led by Dr. Giles F. Whalen, is dedicated to the advancement of clinical care and research for patients with benign and malignant tumors, endocrine diagnoses, breast disorders and complex gastrointestinal diseases. We provide superb, personal care of cancer patients, and perform cutting-edge research with the goal of eliminating cancer in each individual patient as well as in society as a whole. We are a critical part of the UMass integrated programs in cancer treatment, clinical trials, education and cancer prevention.
Areas of specialized expertise include:
- Pancreatic cancer and other pancreatic diseases (see UMass Pancreas Program)
- Liver tumors, biliary tract disease, and hepaticobiliary surgery
- Stomach cancer and gastroesophageal surgery
- Peritoneal malignancies, including pseudomyxoma peritoneii and the use of heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy and tumor debulking (see Peritoneal Surface Malignancy Program)
- Breast cancer and breast disorders, including image-guided surgery
- Endocrine surgery, including thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenal diseases
- Melanoma, sarcoma, and soft-tissue tumors including gastrointestinal stromal tumors
- Complex colorectal cancer (see Colon and Rectal Surgery)
Minimally invasive techniques are utilized whenever possible, building on the extensive expertise at the Medical School in laparoscopic and endoscopic surgery as well as surgical simulation.
Extensive basic science, clinical outcomes and clinical trials research is spearheaded by members to the Surgical Oncology Division. Prospective tissue-linked databases allow us to identify novel markers and predictors of outcome. The Surgical Outcomes Analysis & Research (SOAR) group has a successful track record of national presentations, publications, and research funding.
The Medical School, Division of Surgical Oncology and Endocrine Surgery offers a full-time clinical and research fellowship in Breast Surgical Oncology. The development of a general/gastrointestinal Surgical Oncology Fellowship is underway. Research fellowships are available on an ongoing basis.