Hans Gerdes, MD

Hans Gerdes, MD

I am an Attending Physician on the Gastroenterology and Nutrition Service, and Director of the GI Endoscopy unit at Memorial Hospital. I am also a Professor of Clinical Medicine at Weill Medical College of Cornell University. My areas of interest include the precancerous condition Barrett’s esophagus, endoscopic methods of screening for and early detection of cancer, and endoscopic approaches to palliating symptoms of advanced cancer.

I have conducted research in endoscopic ultrasonography for the staging of upper and lower gastrointestinal cancers and pancreatic cancer. I have also conducted clinical trials in methods of treating the symptoms of gastrointestinal cancers, including laser and photodynamic therapy, feeding and drainage gastrostomy and jejunostomy tubes, and the use of stents to alleviate the symptoms associated with cancers obstructing the esophagus, stomach, bile duct, small and large intestine.

I graduated from Cornell University Medical College and subsequently did a residency in internal medicine at The New York Hospital, followed by specialty training in gastroenterology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. I am board certified in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology.

Location

New York City

Phone

212-639-7108

Clinical Expertise

Gastroenterology; Gastrointestinal Cancers; Endoscopic Ultrasound; Endoscopic Laser Therapy; Biliary Tract and Pancreas Endoscopy; Endoscopic Gastrostomy and Jejunostomy; Photodynamic Therapy

Languages Spoken

English

Education

MD, Cornell University Medical College

Residencies

The New York Hospital/Cornell Medical Center

Fellowships

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center

Board Certifications

Internal Medicine; Gastroenterology

See My Colleagues in:

Department of Medicine›Gastroenterology and Nutrition Service

Publications by Hans Gerdes

Visit PubMed for full listing of Hans Gerdes journal articles

Pubmed is an online index of biomedical articles maintained by the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health.

advanced cancer (ad-VANST KAN-ser)

Cancer that has spread to other places in the body and usually cannot be cured or controlled with treatment.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

bile (bile)

A fluid made by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. Bile is excreted into the small intestine, where it helps digest fat.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

biliary (BIH-lee-AYR-ee)

Having to do with the liver, bile ducts, and/or gallbladder.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

cancer (KAN-ser)

A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade nearby tissues. Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma is a cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is a cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is a cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood. Lymphoma and multiple myeloma are cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system. Central nervous system cancers are cancers that begin in the tissues of the brain and spinal cord. Also called malignancy.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

clinical (KLIH-nih-kul)

Having to do with the examination and treatment of patients.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

condition (kun-DIH-shun)

In medicine, a health problem with certain characteristics or symptoms.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

duct (dukt)

In medicine, a tube or vessel of the body through which fluids pass.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

endoscopy (en-DOS-koh-pee)

A procedure that uses an endoscope to examine the inside of the body. An endoscope is a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing. It may also have a tool to remove tissue to be checked under a microscope for signs of disease.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

esophagus (ee-SAH-fuh-gus)

The muscular tube through which food passes from the throat to the stomach.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

gastrointestinal (GAS-troh-in-TES-tih-nul)

Refers to the stomach and intestines. Also called GI.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

GI

Refers to the stomach and intestines. Also called gastrointestinal.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

intestine (in-TES-tin)

The long, tube-shaped organ in the abdomen that completes the process of digestion. The intestine has two parts, the small intestine and the large intestine. Also called bowel.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

jejunostomy (JEH-joo-NOS-toh-mee)

Surgery to create an opening into the jejunum (part of the small intestine) from the outside of the body. A jejunostomy allows a feeding tube to be put into the small intestine.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

laser (LAY-zer)

A device that forms light into intense, narrow beams that may be used to cut or destroy tissue, such as cancer tissue. It may also be used to reduce lymphedema (swelling caused by a buildup of lymph fluid in tissue) after breast cancer surgery. Lasers are used in microsurgery, photodynamic therapy, and many other procedures to diagnose and treat disease.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

medicine (MEH-dih-sin)

Refers to the practices and procedures used for the prevention, treatment, or relief of symptoms of a diseases or abnormal conditions. This term may also refer to a legal drug used for the same purpose.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

National Institutes of Health (NA-shuh-nul IN-stih-TOOTS … helth)

A federal agency in the U.S. that conducts biomedical research in its own laboratories; supports the research of non-Federal scientists in universities, medical schools, hospitals, and research institutions throughout the country and abroad; helps in the training of research investigators; and fosters communication of medical information. Access the National Institutes of Health Web site at . Also called NIH.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

nutrition (noo-TRIH-shun)

The taking in and use of food and other nourishing material by the body. Nutrition is a 3-part process. First, food or drink is consumed. Second, the body breaks down the food or drink into nutrients. Third, the nutrients travel through the bloodstream to different parts of the body where they are used as "fuel" and for many other purposes. To give the body proper nutrition, a person has to eat and drink enough of the foods that contain key nutrients.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

pancreas (PAN-kree-us)

A glandular organ located in the abdomen. It makes pancreatic juices, which contain enzymes that aid in digestion, and it produces several hormones, including insulin. The pancreas is surrounded by the stomach, intestines, and other organs.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

pancreatic (PAN-kree-A-tik)

Having to do with the pancreas.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

photodynamic therapy (FOH-toh-dy-NA-mik THAYR-uh-pee)

Treatment with drugs that become active when exposed to light. These activated drugs may kill cancer cells.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

physician (fih-ZIH-shun)

Medical doctor.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

precancerous (pree-KAN-seh-rus)

A term used to describe a condition that may (or is likely to) become cancer. Also called premalignant.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

screening (SKREE-ning)

Checking for disease when there are no symptoms. Since screening may find diseases at an early stage, there may be a better chance of curing the disease. Examples of cancer screening tests are the mammogram (breast), colonoscopy (colon), and the Pap test and HPV test (cervix). Screening can also include checking for a person’s risk of developing an inherited disease by doing a genetic test.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

staging (STAY-jing)

Performing exams and tests to learn the extent of the cancer within the body, especially whether the disease has spread from the original site to other parts of the body. It is important to know the stage of the disease in order to plan the best treatment.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

stomach (STUH-muk)

An organ that is part of the digestive system. The stomach helps digest food by mixing it with digestive juices and churning it into a thin liquid.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

therapy (THAYR-uh-pee)

Treatment.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

ultrasonography (UL-truh-soh-NAH-gruh-fee)

A procedure in which high-energy sound waves are bounced off internal tissues or organs and make echoes. The echo patterns are shown on the screen of an ultrasound machine, forming a picture of body tissues called a sonogram. Also called ultrasound.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)