Mr Nikolaos Chatzizacharias is a highly experienced consultant surgeon who treats conditions of the liver, pancreas, gallbladder and bile ducts. These are often grouped together as the hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) system. He looks after patients with both non-cancerous and cancerous problems affecting these areas.
He is based at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, one of the busiest and most advanced HPB centres in the UK. He sees patients with a range of symptoms such as abdominal pain, jaundice, unexplained weight loss, abnormal liver function, or concerns found on scans.

Mr Chatzizacharias studied medicine at the University of Athens in Greece. He went on to complete a PhD focused on pancreatic cancer. He then moved to the UK to train in HPB and transplant surgery in Cambridge. He later spent time in the United States at the Medical College of Wisconsin to further specialise in complex liver, pancreas and bile duct surgery.

He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of England and also a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He has written many research papers on liver and pancreas surgery and regularly presents his work at national and international conferences.

He is trained in both open and keyhole techniques, including laparoscopic and robotic surgery. This allows him to offer a full range of options depending on each patient’s condition and overall health. Keyhole techniques often mean smaller cuts, faster recovery and shorter hospital stays.

One of his main interests is in the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer. This type of cancer can sometimes grow around major blood vessels, making surgery more complex. Mr Chatzizacharias leads the hospital’s advanced pancreatic cancer service, which is the largest of its kind in the UK and one of the largest globally. He works closely with a team of specialists, including radiologists, liver doctors, oncologists and dietitians, to give each patient a personalised treatment plan.

He also sees patients for second opinions, particularly in cases where surgery may have been thought to be too risky or not possible. His experience in treating complex and borderline cases has helped many patients explore treatment options they may not have been aware of.

Conditions treated

• Pancreatic cancer
• Liver cancer and cancer that has spread to the liver
• Bile duct cancer (cholangiocarcinoma)
• Gallstones and gallbladder disease
• Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
• Pancreatic cysts
• Liver cysts and benign liver conditions
• Neuroendocrine tumours
• Hernias (umbilical and epigastric)
• Spleen problems
• Abnormal liver function tests

Types of surgery offered

• Open surgery
• Laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery
• Robotic surgery
• Gallbladder removal
• Hernia repair
• Surgery for tumours and cysts
• Radiofrequency ablation (RFA)

Professional Website

• www.nchatzizacharias.co.uk

• General Medical Council