The UGI cancer service is a specialist centre, which diagnoses, stages and treats cancer in the oesophagus, stomach and small bowel. We also accept second opinions from outside the local area.
Our services include:
- surgical treatment for UGI cancers
- medical treatment (chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy) for UGI cancers
- radiotherapy treatment
- specialist nurse-led clinics (post treatment and post discharge from consultant clinics)
- specialist dietitian support
- hospital based teaching
- participation in research and local national and international teaching
- advice and guidance to GPs on referrals to the service
The UGI Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) includes surgeons, gastroenterologists, oncologists, radiologists. histopathologists, Clinical Specialist Nurses (CNS) and dietitians.
There is a weekly MDT meeting that takes place every Wednesday afternoon. At this meeting we will look at any investigations, scans and biopsy results. A plan of care will be advised.
This will then be talked about with you by your consultant and your CNS in an out-patients appointment.
Treatments suggested may include endoscopic management, surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy.
Signs and symptoms of UGI cancer
If you find any new or unusual changes or symptoms that persist for more than two weeks. Please contact your GP.
Common symptoms include:
- problems swallowing (dysphagia)
- unintentional weight loss
- loss of appetite
- persistent nausea and vomiting/regurgitation of fluids and/or food
- increased or new and ongoing reflux
- vomiting blood or passing black/dark stool
What to expect once you have been referred
Once you have been referred you will meet with your consultant who will gain more information about you and your referral. You will also be seen by a CNS who will talk about what happens next and answer any questions or concerns you may have. They will also give you their contact details should you have any further questions to ask before your treatment.
They may also be able to sign post you to other professionals should you need any further help or support with your treatment or diagnosis.
Further investigations may be needed at this appointment. You can read more about investigations in the leaflet below.
Contact details
You can contact the UGI cancer team Monday to Friday, between 08:00– 16:00 (excluding bank holidays). There is an answer phone and email service where the team will return your call or email on the same day if left before 15:00. Calls and emails left after 15:00 will be returned the next working day.
Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham CNS team
Heartlands Hospital CNS team
Acute Oncology Services (AOS)
For any patients on anti–cancer treatment who suffer from:
- a temperature of 37.5C or above
- flu-like symptoms
- shivers/chills or feel poorly
Please call the AOS 24-hour emergency helpline straight away.
Location information
Our team works across all of our hospital sites, including Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB), Heartlands, Good Hope and Solihull Hospitals. We also receive patients referred for cancer surgery and specialist care from local hospitals in Sandwell, Walsall and Dudley.
All surgery takes place at QEHB where patients will be transferred post operatively to either the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) or Enhanced Peri-Operative Care (EPOC), before being transferred to the Harborne Hospital (Based on QEHB site) for the remainder of the inpatient stay.
See also
Other websites
Downloads
Last reviewed: 20 October 2025