George Hanna

Professor George Hanna serves as a Consultant in Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery at St Mary’s Hospital within Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. His clinical focus centres on cancers of the oesophagus and stomach, alongside complex minimally invasive abdominal procedures.

He undertook specialist training in keyhole and oesophago-gastric surgery at Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, and became a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in 1993. He was subsequently awarded a PhD by the University of Dundee in 1997, following research examining the ergonomic and technical aspects of minimally invasive surgical practice. In 2003, he joined Imperial College as a Clinical Senior Lecturer and Consultant Upper GI Surgeon, and in 2008 he was appointed Professor of Surgical Sciences.

Professor Hanna’s research activity includes the investigation of volatile organic compounds as potential diagnostic biomarkers. His work explores the biochemical mechanisms underlying these compounds with the aim of developing non-invasive breath-based diagnostic tools for gastrointestinal malignancies. He leads a National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) programme focused on point-of-care diagnostic technologies in oncology and digestive diseases. In addition, his academic interests extend to surgical education, particularly the development of validated competency assessment frameworks and quality assurance methods for surgeons participating in randomised controlled trials.

His clinical practice includes minimally invasive gallbladder surgery (cholecystectomy), advanced laparoscopic techniques, surgical management of oesophageal malignancy, and operative treatment of gastric cancer, including partial and total gastrectomy. He manages both benign and malignant upper gastrointestinal conditions, with particular expertise in oesophageal and stomach cancer care.