Our Approach

Our surgeons provide the most comprehensive and advanced care available, collaborating with other internationally recognized cancer care specialists at Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale New Haven, including diagnostic and interventional radiologists, gastroenterologists, hepatologists, imaging specialists, and pathologists.

Whether patients are newly diagnosed with cancer or their cancer has not responded to traditional treatment therapies, our team of surgeons and specialists will create a personalized plan based on the latest research, technologies, evidence-based medicine, and the possibility of clinical trials. During the first visit, patients will meet with a surgical oncologist, medical oncologist, and a radiation oncologist who will create a personalized treatment. Our goal is to begin treatment as soon as possible.

Because our surgeons treat patients at theSmilow Cancer Hospital at Yale New Haven, patients will have access to a multitude of medical and supportive services to help improve their quality of life while living with cancer, and after.

We treat the following cancers and cysts:

• Breast cancer
• Gastrointestinal cancers, including gastric bile duct, gallbladder, liver, colon, stomach, pancreas, and colorectal cancers
• Intra-abdominal cancers and tumors
• Melanoma
• Pancreatic cysts (noncancerous)
• Sarcoma

Minimally invasive surgery. Our emphasis is on the most successful surgery with the least pain, scarring, and recovery time. Our highly-skilled surgeons are leaders in minimally invasive procedures, even for complex cases that would otherwise require traditional open surgery.

During minimally invasive surgery, also known as laparoscopic surgery, only a few small incisions are necessary. Surgeons use small video cameras to view the affected area and use special surgical instruments to perform the surgery. Recovery time and postsurgical discomfort are significantly reduced because the incisions are smaller than with open surgery. Surgical wounds tend to heal more quickly and with less scarring.

Whipple Procedure. The pancreas, which is the largest gland of the endocrine system, is difficult to treat surgically because of its position behind major organs. The Whipple procedure is an innovative approach that allows surgeons to remove the affected part of the pancreas, small intestine, gallbladder, and bile ducts along with surrounding lymph nodes so that many patients with pancreatic cancer can be treated successfully with surgery.

Our surgeons have extensive experience in performing the Whipple procedure. While the Whipple procedure is a complex surgery, minimally invasive techniques allow our patients to recover more quickly and with less postsurgical discomfort and scarring.