Hepato–Pancreato–Biliary & Gastrointestinal Surgery

Our team evaluates and treats a wide range of liver, pancreas, biliary, and complex gastrointestinal diseases, with a focus on cancers and advanced conditions that benefit from surgery and multidisciplinary care.

GI Cancers

We work closely with colorectal, surgical oncology, and medical oncology colleagues to care for patients with GI cancers requiring complex abdominal surgery, including:

• Gastric and small bowel tumors
• Colon and rectal cancer with locally advanced disease
• Tumors involving liver/pancreas/biliary structures

Liver

• Benign liver tumors and cysts (adenoma, focal nodular hyperplasia, hemangioma, complex cysts)
• Colorectal liver metastases and other liver metastases
• Complex liver disease requiring surgery (including tumors near major vessels)
• Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a type of liver cancer
• Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA)

Pancreas

• Chronic pancreatitis
• Complex pancreatic disease
• Gastric outlet/duodenal obstruction requiring surgical bypass when related to pancreatic/duodenal tumors
• Pancreatic adenocarcinoma
• Pancreatic cysts and precancerous lesions (IPMN and related cystic neoplasms)
• Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors

Biliary System and Gallbladder

• Bile duct injuries and reconstruction needs
• Choledochal cysts and complex biliary strictures
• Complex gallbladder disease (difficult cholecystitis, fistula, re-operative cases)
• Extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (perihilar and distal bile duct cancers)
• Gallbladder cancer

Treatment options vary based on each patient’s diagnosis and overall health. Whenever appropriate, we use minimally invasive and robotic-assisted techniques and enhanced recovery pathways to reduce pain, shorten hospital stays, and support faster return to daily life.

Surgical Care

We offer advanced surgical treatment for complex hepato–pancreato–biliary and gastrointestinal disease, including:

• Bile duct reconstruction and surgery for biliary strictures
• Biliary and gallbladder surgery
• Complex gallbladder surgery
• Complex GI oncology surgery (in collaboration)
• Intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS)
• Liver removal or partial removal (resections)
• Liver surgery
• Pancreatic removal or partial removal (resections), including complex pancreatic tumor surgery
• Pancreas surgery
• Removals of tumors and nearby organs (multivisceral oncologic resections)
• Surgery for cholangiocarcinoma and gallbladder cancer, including complex removals (resections)
• Surgery for liver tumors near major vessels when appropriate
• Surgical bypass procedures (e.g., gastrojejunostomy) for obstruction related to upper GI/pancreatic tumors
• Whipple procedure (pancreaticoduodenectomy) and other pancreatic operations

Liver-Directed and Multidisciplinary Cancer Services

Your care may also include coordinated, non-surgical treatments delivered with our multidisciplinary team, which includes medical and radiation oncology, and more:

• Tumor board review with surgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology, gastroenterology, interventional radiology, pathology, and radiology
• Systemic therapy, including:
  • Chemotherapy
  • Immunotherapy
  • Targeted therapy
• Image-guided liver therapies such as:
  • Ablation
  • Embolization
• Second opinions and coordinated diagnostic workup, including:
  • Advanced imaging
  • Endoscopy
  • Biopsy planning

Recovery and Support

• Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS)-style care pathways when appropriate
• Nutrition and symptom support, survivorship planning, and structured follow-up

The GI Oncology team at Boston Medical Center – Brighton is committed to advancing care for patients with cancers of the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, pancreas, and stomach. Our research focuses on improving surgical outcomes through international collaborations, innovative surgical techniques, and minimally invasive approaches.

Gallbladder Cancer

The BMC Brighton GI Oncology team participates in international collaborative research aimed at improving surgical strategies and outcomes for patients with this condition, including:

• Identifying which patients benefit most from surgery
• Surgical strategies for advanced gallbladder cancer
• Outcomes after extended liver resection
• International benchmarks for gallbladder cancer surgery

Liver Tumors and Liver Metastases

Our research focus related to liver tumors and metastases includes:

• Surgical treatment of colorectal liver metastases
• Advanced liver resection techniques
• Robotic and minimally invasive liver surgery

Bile Duct Cancer (Cholangiocarcinoma)

Our research focus related to bile duct cancers includes:

• Surgical strategies for cholangiocarcinoma
• Outcomes after complex hepatobiliary resections
• Integration of surgery with systemic therapies

Pancreatic Diseases and Pancreatic Cancer

Our research focus related to pancreatic tumors and cystic lesions includes:

• Surgical management of pancreatic tumors
• Pancreatic cystic lesions and neoplasms
• Multidisciplinary treatment of pancreatic cancer

Gastric (Stomach) Cancer

Our research focus related to gastric cancers includes:

• Surgical treatment of gastric cancer
• Lymph node dissection strategies
• Integration of surgery with chemotherapy

Innovation in GI and Hepatobiliary Surgery

The BMC Brighton GI Oncology program emphasizes innovation in surgical techniques and cancer care. Key areas of innovation include:

• Robotic hepatobiliary surgery
• Advanced liver resection techniques
• 3D surgical planning and imaging
• Data-driven surgical decision-making

These innovations aim to improve precision, safety, and recovery after complex cancer surgery.