Our service cares for patients who have problems with the upper abdomen. This includes the oesophagus, stomach, duodenum, pancreas, bile ducts, gallbladder and liver.
Being diagnosed with cancer can be a very difficult time and we are here to support you, and your family, from the initial stages, during your treatment and follow-up care. We will be with you throughout the entire journey of your care with us.
Common symptoms for which patients are referred into our services can include:
- Weight loss
- Abdominal pain
- Feeling sick (nausea)
- Being sick (vomiting)
- Early satiety (feeling full earlier than you would normally expect when eating)
- Loss of appetite
- Abnormal liver function tests and / or full blood count results
- Heartburn / indigestion and acid reflux
- Swallowing problems
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin)
The upper gastrointestinal (Upper GI) nurse specialists offer support, information and advice for our patients who have been diagnosed with cancer.
We work closely with your GP team and other teams at the Northern Centre for Cancer Care, Newcastle. This means GPs, community nursing teams, specialist nursing teams as well as cancer charities such as Macmillan and Maggies.
Contact details
We have a helpline for our patients, which is available Monday to Friday between 8am and 4pm:
North Tyneside patients -
Northumberland patients, including Hexham -