GI Surgical Oncology
Surgical Care for Cancers of the Digestive System
Gastrointestinal cancer surgery removes the tumor along with surrounding tissue and lymph nodes where the cancer spreads. It is the main curative treatment for cancers of the digestive tract. Dr Arindam Ghosh is a consultant gastrointestinal cancer surgeon in Dubai and Sharjah with more than 25 years of practice and has performed over 12,000 GI procedures, treating cancers of the oesophagus, stomach, colon, rectum, liver, bile ducts and pancreas using open, laparoscopic and robotic techniques. This page explains which cancers he treats, the symptoms that should prompt a consultation, and what the journey looks like from diagnosis and staging through surgery, recovery and follow-up.
25+
Years in GI surgery
12,000+
GI procedures performed
300+
Whipple operations
3
Hospitals in Dubai & Sharjah
Conditions
Gastrointestinal Cancers Treated
Oesophageal Cancer
Tumours of the food pipe and the junction where it meets the stomach, commonly noticed as difficulty in swallowing. Staged with endoscopy and PET-CT, and treated with oesophageal cancer surgery, usually combined with chemotherapy planned around the operation.
Stomach (gastric) Cancer
Treated with subtotal or total gastrectomy, removing part or all of the stomach with the surrounding lymph nodes. Very early tumours confined to the inner lining can sometimes be removed endoscopically without a formal resection.
Colon and Rectal Cancer
The most common GI cancer, treated with colectomy or rectal cancer surgery, most often through keyhole surgery. Dr Ghosh works as a dedicated colorectal surgeon in Dubai and Sharjah and Sharjah, with over 1,500 colorectal operations performed.
Pancreatic Cancer
It is one of the most demanding areas of GI surgery. Dr Ghosh has performed more than 300 Whipple procedures (pancreaticoduodenectomy) and offers full pancreatic cancer treatment, including distal pancreatectomy for tumours of the body and tail.
Liver and Bile Duct Cancer
Liver resection for primary liver tumours and for cancers that have spread to the liver, plus surgery for gallbladder and bile duct (cholangiocarcinoma) tumours, drawing on his hepatobiliary and pancreatic (HPB) sub-specialty training.
GIST and other GI Tumours
Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST), neuroendocrine tumours and small bowel cancers. These less common tumours behave differently from typical cancers and need a surgeon who sees them regularly to plan the right operation.
When to seek help
Symptoms That Should Prompt a Consultation
GI cancers do not seem concerning at the start, and their early symptoms overlap with everyday digestive complaints. Any of the following signs requires a proper assessment rather than repeated courses of antacids or self-treatment:
- Difficulty or pain when swallowing, or food sticking
- Persistent indigestion, reflux or continuous upper abdominal pain
- Unexplained weight loss or loss of appetite
- Blood in the stool, black stools, or vomiting blood
- A change in bowel habit lasting more than three weeks
- Ongoing tiredness or anaemia found on a blood test
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
Having one of these symptoms does not mean you have cancer, most turn out to have a benign cause. It does mean the cause should be confirmed, because GI cancers found early are far more likely to be curable with surgery.
Diagnosis
How GI Cancer Is Diagnosed and Staged
Accurate staging is crucial before making any decision about surgery. The starting point is usually endoscopy or colonoscopy with a biopsy, which confirms the diagnosis under the microscope. Staging then maps how far the cancer has grown and whether it has spread. Different tests are conducted, including CT of the chest, abdomen and pelvis, PET-CT where needed, MRI for rectal and liver tumours, and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) for oesophageal, gastric and pancreatic lesions.
Blood tests including tumour markers such as CEA and CA 19-9 help with planning and later follow-up. In selected stomach and pancreatic cancers, a short keyhole procedure called staging laparoscopy is used to check the abdominal cavity before committing to a major resection. After staging, a clear treatment plan is created to ensure proper recovery of patients.
Your journey
The Treatment Journey, Step by Step
- Step 1
First Consultation
A detailed history, examination, and review of any reports or scans you already have. You will get a clear plan for the tests you need, and honest answers about what the findings could mean.
- Step 2
Diagnosis and Staging
Endoscopy with biopsy, imaging, and blood work are completed quickly to start the treatment without any delay.
- Step 3
Multidisciplinary Planning
Your case is discussed with medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists and pathologists, and an appropriate plan is created that may include surgery, chemotherapy, or a combination of both treatments.
- Step 4
Surgery
The operation is done according to the tumour. Whether it is endoscopic, laparoscopic, robotic or open surgery, the goal is complete removal and a thorough lymph node dissection.
- Step 5
Recovery in Hospital
Enhanced recovery protocols with early mobilisation, guided nutrition, and careful pain control reduces the complications.
- Step 6
Follow-up and Surveillance
The pathology report guides any further chemotherapy, followed by a structured schedule of clinic reviews and scans to detect any recurrence.
Treatment options
Surgery Matched to the Stage of the Cancer
Endoscopic Resection for Very Early Tumours
Selected early cancers confined to the inner lining can be removed through the endoscope (endoscopic mucosal resection), avoiding a formal operation.
Laparoscopic (keyhole) Cancer Surgery
Small incisions, less pain, faster return to eating and walking, and shorter hospital stays, while achieving the same cancer recovery as open surgery.
Robotic-assisted Surgery
As a certified robotic surgeon and one of the early adopters of the technology in the region, Dr Ghosh uses robotic platforms where their 3D vision with advanced instruments ensures precision in treatment, particularly in the narrow pelvis for rectal cancer.
Open, Complex and Redo Surgery
For large or advanced tumours, multi-organ resections, and operations after previous surgery are planned when that is the safest option for complete removal.
Combined care
Where Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy Fit In
Surgery is not the only effective option in modern cancer care. For stomach, oesophageal and rectal cancers, chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy is given before the operation (neoadjuvant treatment) to shrink the tumour size and avoid complete removal.
After surgery, the final pathology report determines whether further chemotherapy (adjuvant treatment) is recommended to reduce the risk of recurrence. One doctor does not make these decisions. Every cancer case is reviewed with medical and radiation oncologists in a multidisciplinary team. These treatments follow international guidelines and are tailored to your stage, fitness, and preferences.
Credentials
Experience You Can Verify
Outcomes in cancer surgery depend on the surgeon's expertise and experience. Dr Arindam Ghosh is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS), among the first licensed Consultant GI Surgeons in the UAE, and a certified robotic surgeon. As a seasoned GI cancer surgeon in Dubai, his credentials include 12,000 GI procedures, over 300 Whipple operations and over 1,500 colorectal surgeries.
You can get:
- Full digestive tract covered by one specialist including oesophagus and anorectum
- Diagnosis, surgery, and follow-up under continuous care
- Consults at three leading hospitals across Dubai and Sharjah
- DAMAN, BUPA Arabia, AXA Gulf and Oman Insurance
Worried about a symptom?
Early assessment makes the biggest difference in GI cancer. Send your reports for review on WhatsApp.
After surgery
Recovery and Long-Term Follow-Up
Recovery depends on the operation. Keyhole colorectal patients are typically walking on the day of surgery and home within days, while major resections such as a Whipple or oesophagectomy need a longer and closely monitored hospital stay. Enhanced recovery (ERAS) principles are used, including early mobilisation, early return to oral intake, and structured pain relief without heavy reliance on opioids.
Nutrition is planned actively. For example, after a gastrectomy, meals become smaller and more frequent, and vitamin B12 levels are monitored long term. A dietitian is involved before and after surgery so weight and strength are protected through treatment.
Follow-up includes scheduled clinic visits, tumour marker blood tests, scans and surveillance endoscopy or colonoscopy at guideline intervals. The purpose is to ensure your wellness and catch any recurrence at its earliest and treatable point.
Support for International and Insured Patients
Medical Travel
The medical visa and travel support can be arranged for patients who travel from South Asia, the GCC, and Europe for complex GI surgery.
Insurance Accepted
Major UAE insurers, including DAMAN, BUPA Arabia, AXA Gulf, and Oman Insurance, with a self-pay option, are accepted for visitors.
Remote Report Review
Share existing scans, endoscopy reports, and biopsy results on the WhatsApp number before you travel to save time upon arrival.
Three Hospital Locations
Emirates Hospital Jumeirah, Emirates Speciality Hospital DHCC, and NMC Royal Hospital Sharjah are the hospitals where you can consult.
FAQ
GI Cancer Surgery: Questions Patients Ask
Which gastrointestinal cancers does Dr Ghosh treat?
He operates across the full digestive tract: oesophageal, stomach (gastric), colon, rectal, pancreatic, liver, gallbladder and bile duct cancers, as well as GIST, neuroendocrine and small bowel tumours. Covering the whole GI tract means the diagnosis, surgery and follow-up stay with one specialist rather than being split between departments.
Is surgery always needed for GI cancer?
No. The plan depends on the type and stage. Some very early tumours can be removed endoscopically, some locally advanced cancers need chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy before surgery, and in some situations oncological treatment alone is more appropriate. Every case is reviewed in a multidisciplinary team before a recommendation is made, and surgery is only advised when it genuinely improves your outlook.
Is keyhole or robotic surgery safe for cancer?
In appropriately selected patients, laparoscopic and robotic cancer surgery achieves the same completeness of tumour removal and lymph node clearance as open surgery, with smaller wounds, less pain and a quicker recovery. Suitability depends on the tumour's size, location and stage, which is exactly what the staging tests establish before any decision is made.
What are the risks of GI cancer surgery?
All major surgery carries risks such as bleeding, infection, blood clots and anaesthetic complications, and specific operations have specific risks, for example leakage at a new join in the bowel or delayed stomach emptying after a Whipple. These are discussed openly at consultation, alongside the risk of not operating. Experience matters here: careful patient selection, meticulous technique and structured aftercare are how risk is kept low.
How long is recovery after the operation?
As a general guide, keyhole colorectal surgery usually means a few days in hospital and a return to light routine within weeks, while major resections such as gastrectomy, oesophagectomy or a Whipple procedure involve a longer stay and a recovery measured in weeks to a few months. Your personal timeline is mapped out before surgery so you and your family can plan realistically.
What happens at the first consultation?
Dr Ghosh takes a full history, examines you and reviews any endoscopy reports, biopsies or scans you bring. If the diagnosis is not yet confirmed, he arranges the right tests; if it is, he explains the stage, the treatment options and his recommendation in plain language. You are encouraged to bring a family member and to ask every question you have, including about second opinions.
Do you see international patients and accept insurance?
Yes. Patients from South Asia, the GCC and Europe regularly travel for surgery, with medical visa and travel support provided. Reports can be reviewed remotely via WhatsApp on +971 58 181 9372 before you book flights. Within the UAE, major insurers including DAMAN, BUPA Arabia, AXA Gulf and Oman Insurance are accepted.
Take the First Step Toward a Clear Answer
A single consultation replaces weeks of uncertainty with a concrete plan. Appointments are available in Dubai and Sharjah.
We bring the years, global experience, and stamina to guide our clients through new and often disruptive realities.