Dr Scott Whiting has been training in upper gastrointestinal surgery for over five years.
No matter which upper gastrointestinal surgery you come in for, Dr Whiting and his multidisciplinary team will ensure you have the highest standard of pre- and post-surgery support and care.
The upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract runs from the mouth to the top of the small intestine (duodenum). Surgery on this area is generally performed in patients with abdominal issues related to the oesophagus, stomach, small bowel, and pancreas.
Dr Whiting’s approach uses minimally invasive techniques, such as by laparoscopic and robotic surgery as this allows for safer operations, minimal scarring, and less recovery time.
Oesophageal cancer occurs in the oesophagus when abnormal cells develop. This causes a tumour to grow in the innermost layer of the oesophagus. Early treatment for this cancer is essential so it does not travel to nearby lymph nodes of other parts of the body.
When abnormal cells in the stomach grow and divide, this is known as stomach cancer. Abnormal cells, or tumours, can occur anywhere in the stomach. It’s important to undergo early treatment for stomach cancer to prevent it spreading to the liver, lungs, and other body parts.
Small bowel cancer occurs in the small intestine as a result of tumour growth. This cancer can spread via the bloodstream or lymph vessels and form new tumours in different areas of the body.
GISTs occur in the stomach and small intestine from an abnormal growth of nerve cells. These tumours grow slowly so they may not be detected or cause issues for some time. They generally occur in adults and very rarely, children.
Barrett’s oesophagus, also known as Barrett’s syndrome or Barrett’s mucosa, is a condition in which the tissue lining the oesophagus (the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach) undergoes changes. It is typically caused by chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease, a condition where stomach acid and digestive juices flow back into the oesophagus, causing irritation and inflammation. In some cases, this can lead to oesophageal cancer.
A hernia occurs when a part of the body pushes into an area it does not belong. A hiatal/paraoesophageal hernia involves the stomach bulging through the opening in the diaphragm where the oesophagus is meant to go through. This type of hernia is generally only operated on if patients develop symptoms.
When malignant cells develop in the pancreas, this is known as pancreatic cancer. This cancer can affect the functioning of the body’s exocrine and endocrine glands (which regulate hormones). Pancreatic cancer is the eighth most common cancer in both Australian men and women.
If you’re looking for a surgeon to support you in one of the above areas, then you can be assured that Dr Whiting and his team are there. A specialist in upper GI surgery, Dr Whiting continues to undertake research to ensure he is at the forefront of the best practice and techniques for each type of surgery.
We acknowledge the Bindal and the Wulgurukaba peoples, the traditional custodians on the land in which we are gathered today. We pay our respects to elders, past, present and emerging. We acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded. We acknowledge that we benefit from living and working on these lands.
This land is Aboriginal land, always was, is, and always will be.
