Surgical Oncology Division
About
The Division of Surgical Oncology at the University of Virginia has an outstanding national reputation for performing high volume and high quality surgical and multidisciplinary care. We treat patients with cancerous, precancerous and benign lesions of the liver, pancreas, biliary tree, duodenal and small bowel; thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenal glands; and sarcomas and soft tissue tumors of the extremities, trunk and retroperitoneum. We pledge to provide the highest quality care based on clinical standards and latest consensus guidelines and novel therapies rooted in research and outcomes study while maintaining respect and compassion for our patients and their families. Many of our patients travel from far areas of the Commonwealth or other areas in the Mid-Atlantic to receive their specialized care, and we focus on providing efficient care with as few visits as necessary.

Todd Bauer, MD, FACS Chief, Surgical Oncology Division
The Division of Surgical Oncology is dedicated to providing comprehensive state-of-the art care for patients with a wide variety of malignant and benign conditions including thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenal tumors, pancreatic, gastric, biliary and liver tumors, as well as soft tissue tumors and soft tissue sarcoma. We provide multidisciplinary care for our patients in close collaboration with referring physicians and our colleagues in endocrinology, gastroenterology, medical oncology and radiation oncology through our multidisciplinary tumor boards. We participate in novel clinical trials and offer advanced surgical techniques including minimally invasive surgery and complex multi-visceral and vascular resections. We are dedicated to the highest quality care and strive for optimal outcomes for our patients and participate in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP), as well as the NSQIP HPB Collaborative and the Collaborative Endocrine Surgery Quality Improvement Program (CESQIP). Our division incorporates clinical and translational laboratory research and education so as to contribute to advancements in surgical oncology care. Please feel free to contact me for further information.
Todd W. Bauer, MD, FACS
434-924-0391
Professor of Surgery
Chief, Division of Surgical Oncology
Director, High Risk Pancreas Clinic
Leader, UVA Cancer Center GI Translational Research Program
Leader, Multidisciplinary GI Tumor Board
Reid B. Adams, MD
As associate director of clinical affairs for the Cancer Center, Dr. Adams is responsible for clinical strategic and operational management. He is the Chair of the Department of Surgery.
Todd W. Bauer, MD
Dr. Bauer’s clinical focus is in pancreatic and hepatobiliary cancers and soft tissue sarcoma. He leads a laboratory research program in pancreatic cancer. The current focus of his laboratory research The current focus of his laboratory research is on mouse models of primary and metastatic pancreatic cancer and colorectal cancer using patient-derived tumors.
Philip W. Smith, MD
Dr. Smith specializes in endocrine surgery, treating benign and malignant diseases of the thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal glands and pancreas. He performs some thyroid and parathyroid procedures using local anesthetic, and he performs some endocrine surgical procedures on an outpatient basis.
Victor M. Zaydfudim, MD
Dr. Zaydfudim’s primary clinical interests include benign and malignant diseases of the liver, pancreas, and bile ducts. His primary research interests include public health initiatives aimed at improvements in healthcare delivery and practice, particularly as it applies to the patients with hepatobiliary and pancreatic disorders.
Endocrine surgery: 434-924-0376
Pancreas and hepatobiliary and sarcoma surgery: 434-924-9333
Clinical Programs
Thyroid
The patient with thyroid masses, thyroid cancer, or problems of hypo-or-hyper-functioning thyroid disease are seen and evaluated by the Endocrine Surgery Service Group. Preoperative evaluation including imaging of patients with thyroid masses can be undertaken. Surgical care and postoperative follow-up of patients after thyroid dissection and evaluation for postoperative follow-up of patients with thyroid cancer are provided.
Adrenal Problems
This area deals with the diagnosis and therapeutic management of patients with adrenal masses due to either functioning or non-functioning adrenal tumors. Trans-abdominal or retroperitoneal and open or laparoscopic approaches to adrenal surgery are within the capabilities of this group.
Parathyroid Diseases
The Endocrine Surgery Service is equipped and capable of dealing with patients with the diagnosis of primary or tertiary hyperthyroidism. Additionally, patients with MEN 1 or MEN 2 are seen and evaluated. Consultations are available for any patient with hypercalcemia. Preoperative evaluation, surgical care and postoperative follow-up of patients with parathyroid diseases is within the expertise of this group.
Pancreatic Cancers, Cysts and Masses
Adams, Bauer and Zaydfudim are members of the HPB (hepato-pancreato-biliary) surgery group and are high-volume experts in managing pancreatic cancers, pre-cancerous tumors, cysts and masses of the pancreas. They work closely with their colleagues in radiology and gastroenterology to properly characterize pancreatic lesions and provide surgery when appropriate. Their outcomes for pancreatic resection (Whipple procedure, distal pancreatectomy and total pancreatectomy) are among the best in the country. They offer minimally invasive techniques to pancreatic surgery.
Liver Cancers, Cysts and Masses
The HPB surgeons manage primary liver cancer (hepatocellular cancer and cholangiocarcinoma) as well as liver metastases from colorectal cancer, neuroendocrine cancer, and other primary sites. Other cysts and masses of the liver require careful characterization and may require surgery or continued surveillance.
Cancers, Strictures and Cysts of the Bile Ducts and Gallbladder
Gallbladder cancer and bile duct cancer (cholangiocarcinoma) require evaluation for possible surgical resection. Some strictures and cysts of the biliary system require surgery due to risk of cancer as well.
Gastric, Duodenal and Small Bowel Cancers
Cancers of the stomach, duodenum and small bowel require multidisciplinary planning for consideration of sequence and timing of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.
Sarcomas represent a group of >100 types of rare soft tissue cancers. These tumors can occur in the extremities, trunk, or abdomen and retroperitoneum. The rarity and complex nature of these tumors necessitate management by an expert in soft tissue sarcoma. Drs. Adams, Bauer and Zaydfudim have extensive expertise in the multidisciplinary management of sarcomas and soft tissue tumors.
Education and Training
We strive to provide a full range of educational opportunities for physicians, nurses and patients in the treatment of disease and are active in the recruitment of patients for up-to-date clinical protocol for evaluation of therapeutic diagnostic modalities throughout Surgical Oncology.
The Surgical Oncology Division is dedicated to the education of general surgery residents. General surgery residents rotate on the service as interns, mid-level residents, and as chief residents. Residents gain experience in the multidisciplinary management of patients and have an outstanding operative experience. Many of our residents have chosen to pursue careers in surgical oncology or endocrine surgery and have had an excellent track record in securing top-notch fellowship training. Dr. Smith serves as Associate Program Director for the Department of Surgery.
Third and fourth year medical students rotate on the surgical oncology service on a regular basis. The service has a top reputation amongst the students for its educational efforts and value.
Surgical Oncology Research
The Surgical Oncology Service has an excellent history of rigorous research including robust clinical research and basic and translational laboratory research. Dr. Zaydfudim has a background in health services research and is the department’s Director for Health Services Research with an excellent track record in mentoring students and residents.
Dr. Bauer has had a successfully funded laboratory for over 15 years and has mentored numerous undergraduate students, medical students and general surgery residents in the lab. Dr. Bauer leads the UVA Cancer Center GI Translational Research Program and the Pancreatic Cancer Translational Research Group. The Department of Surgery T32 Surgical Oncology Training Grant provides support for general surgery residents to conduct two years of dedicated research during their residency.
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