Division of Surgical Oncology

The Division of Surgical Oncology delivers compassionate state-of-the-art care to patients with cancer and allied diseases, and is at the forefront in treating patients with pancreatic and liver malignancies. The Barrett Cancer Center continues to support innovative clinical research with over 120 active protocols sponsored by the National Cancer Institute and pharmaceutical companies.  The Pancreatic Disease Center, directed by Dr. Syed Ahmad, is among the most active in the world and focuses on the multidisciplinary care of patients with benign and malignant diseases of the pancreas.  The autologous islet cell procedure, for treating chronic pancreatitis, is offered as one of only two programs offering this in the United States.

The High-Risk Breast Clinic at the Barrett Cancer Center is one of only two programs of its kind in the Tristate and offers early detection services, surveillance, access to education and inclusion in clinical trials. Dr. Elizabeth Shaughnessy was selected by Cincinnati Magazine in April 2007 as a “Top Doc” in the field of breast surgery.   Dr. Michael Edwards, the new surgery chair, began seeing breast patients in early 2008, and brings a wealth of technical expertise and patient care experience.  Dr. Edwards has served as principal investigator of several national multi-center clinical trials.  He founded and currently chairs a national registry for image-guided breast biopsy.

Dr. Jeffrey Sussman cares for a range of benign and malignant diseases of the thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal glands and pancreas lesions. Dr. Sussman offers standard approaches to thyroid surgery and minimally invasive procedures for adrenalectomy. In addition, he is the major provider of surgical therapy for melanoma in the Cincinnati metropolitan area, and the only provider to offer isolated hyperthermic arm or leg perfusion for patients with locally advanced or recurrent melanoma of the extremity. 

Cincinnati Surgery: Oncology

Other procedures performed include intraperitoneal hyperthermic perfusion, which is a technique involving a heated chemotherapy solution circulated throughout the abdomen for treating primary and metastatic peritoneal malignancies.  Esophageal, colorectal, small bowel, and gastric tumors are also treated by surgeons in the division.

The University of Cincinnati has formed a strategic partnership with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and University Hospital to establish a joint cancer center that will coordinate oncology care from childhood to adulthood in southern Ohio and beyond. Nearly $60 million in seed money has been committed during the next five years. One long-term goal is designation as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute. Such designated cancer centers meet strict guidelines covering long-term, multidisciplinary cancer programs in biomedical research, clinical investigation, training and community involvement.