Gastrointestinal cancers are very complex cancers that typically require multimodality therapy involving surgical oncologists, medical oncologists and radiation oncologists.
Our world renowned surgical oncologists at the Rutgers Cancer Institute are committed to providing the most comprehensive, highest-quality, compassionate, and exceptional personalized care tailored to your specific type and stage of gastrointestinal cancer.
Conditions We Treat
Together with RWJBarnabas Health, we specialize in advanced treatments for complex tumors of the brain and spine, offering a full spectrum of care with both minimally invasive and state-of-the-art surgical techniques.
- Esophageal Cancer
- Gastric Cancer
- Pancreas Cancer
- Small Intestine Cancer
- Colorectal Cancer
- Peritoneal Surface Malignancy
Explore all Cancer Surgical Services at Rutgers Cancer Institute →
Why Choose Us for Your Gastrointestinal Cancer Care?
Advanced and Minimally Invasive Surgical Techniques
We offer state-of-the-art surgical techniques including minimally invasive surgery, regional perfusion therapies, robotic technology and image guided procedures. Our goal is to provide maximal treatment for each patient’s underlying cancer while minimizing side effects and maintaining their quality of life. For patients with organ confined cancer we focus on less invasive procedures such as robotic procedures to allow more rapid recovery for our patients.
We also offer surgical procedures for patients with more advanced cancers including cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for patients with tumors that spread in the abdominal cavity or involve the peritoneal surfaces. We have dedicated multidisciplinary teams to manage patients with advanced cancers which involve multiple organs and require the input of two or more surgical disciplines.
Innovative Clinical Trial Portfolio
As New Jersey’s only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, we offer the most exhaustive and innovative gastrointestinal clinical trial portfolio in the state of New Jersey. All patients are screened for potential participation in clinical trials and offered the most innovative and up to date surgical techniques for the management of their cancer.
Leading Education for Future Oncologists
Our surgical oncologists are at the forefront of educating the next generation of leaders in the field and developing novel diagnostic biomarkers and new therapeutics and sequences of therapies aimed to improve the outcome of patients with gastrointestinal cancers. All cases are discussed at our multidisciplinary tumor board where our surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, gastroenterologists, radiologists, pathologists, geneticists and nursing staff determine personalized treatment plans tailored to each individual patient.
Meet Our Team
Our world renowned surgical oncologists at the Rutgers Cancer Institute are committed to providing the most comprehensive, highest-quality, compassionate, and exceptional personalized care tailored to your specific type and stage of gastrointestinal cancer.
H. Richard Alexander, Jr., MD, FACS
Chief Surgical Officer,
Chief, Surgical Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute;
System Director of Surgical Oncology, RWJBarnabas Health;
Regional Director of Surgery for Monmouth Medical Center, an RWJBH Facility
Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Brett Ecker, MD
Surgical Oncologist
Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Mariam Eskander, MD, MPH
Surgical Oncologist
Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Haejin In, MD, MPH, MBA, FACS, FSSO
Chief Diversity Officer
Associate Director for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Surgical Oncologist
Associate Professor of Surgery, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Associate Professor of Health, Behavior and Policy, Rutgers School of Public Health
Russell C. Langan, MD, FACS, FSSO
Associate Chief Surgical Officer, System Integration and Quality
Director of Surgical Oncology, Northern Region, RWJBarnabas Health | Rutgers Cancer Institute
Chief of Surgical Oncology & Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center
Surgical Oncologist
Related Articles and Press
Exploring Disparities in Colorectal Cancer
Despite health systems placing stronger emphasis on making preventive care accessible and equitable, significant disparities persist among some racial and ethnic groups.
Insights into the Growing Incidence of Colorectal Cancer in Young Adults
Incidences of colorectal cancer in young people (those between their mid-20s and late 50s) has more than doubled since the 1990s.
Several RWJBarnabas Health Facilities Earn National Accreditation from the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons
Cancer programs at several RWJBarnabas Health facilities, in partnership with Rutgers Cancer Institute, the state’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, were recently granted Three-Year Accreditation from the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer (CoC).