Gastrointestinal Surgical Oncology

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.

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Call 844-CANCERNJ (844-226-2376) to schedule an appointment.


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.


Additional Resources


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.

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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

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Brett Ecker, MD

Surgical Oncologist

Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

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Mariam Eskander, MD, MPH

Surgical Oncologist

Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

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Victor Gall, MD

Surgical Oncologist

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Miral Sadaria Grandhi, MD

Director of Hepatobiliary Surgery

Surgical Oncologist

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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

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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

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Jason Maggi, MD

Surgical Oncologist

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Carmela Hoefling, MSN, APN, AOCNP

Advanced Practice Nurse

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Steven Thomas, PA-C

Physician Assistant

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Sondra Patella, MSN, APNC

Advanced Practice Nurse

Inpatient Surgery Advanced Practice Provider


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