Advertisement

Montreal surgeon passes away after documenting his battle with cancer

Dr. Philip Gordon, a Montreal surgeon, writer and professor, has died. Global News

Dr. Philip Gordon, a Montreal surgeon who spent more than 42 years treating cancer patients before being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer himself, has died.

A surgeon, writer and professor, he served as the director of colon and rectal surgery at McGill University.

READ MORE: Montreal surgeon documents his battle with cancer as tables turn

He was diagnosed with the deadly disease in 2016, undergoing several rounds of intensive chemotherapy treatments.

“It was shocking, it was devastating and it threw me for a loop,” Gordon told Global News in February.

“As a surgeon, you’re in control of the situation. As soon as you become a patient, you’re absolutely no longer in control.”

The Saskatchewan native has already made a massive contribution to medicine.

Story continues below advertisement

WATCH BELOW: Dr. Philip Gordon’s “Chemotherapy: A Senior Surgeon’s Personal Challenge”

Click to play video: 'Focus Montreal: Dr. Philip Gordon’s “Chemotherapy: A Senior Surgeon’s Personal Challenge”'
Focus Montreal: Dr. Philip Gordon’s “Chemotherapy: A Senior Surgeon’s Personal Challenge”

He wrote chapters for dozens of books and co-authored Principles and Practice of Surgery for the Colon, Rectum and Anus, considered the gold standard guide to colorectal surgery.

Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday.

Get weekly health news

Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

READ MORE: Fundraising partnership aims to bring awareness to ‘forgotten’ pancreatic cancer

According to his peers, his publication, written as a cancer patient, was possibly his most profound piece of work.

In Chemotherapy: A Senior Surgeon’s Personal ChallengeGordon tackled his struggles with the deadly disease that he so often treated.

READ MORE: Young Canadian adult cancer survivors continue to struggle beyond their illness

“The most debilitating side effect is the enormous fatigue,” Gordon said. “Unless you’re there, you can’t really understand it.”

Story continues below advertisement

WATCH BELOW: Montreal doctor’s cancer treatment helps to improve patient care

Click to play video: 'Montreal doctor’s cancer treatment helps to improve patient care'
Montreal doctor’s cancer treatment helps to improve patient care

His hope was to help change the way doctors treat their patients.

READ MORE: Nearly 1 in 2 Canadians expected to get cancer. Here’s why

Gordon leaves behind his wife of 48 years, Rosalie, as well as two children and three grandchildren.

His funeral service will be held Friday, April 13 at 12 p.m. at Paperman & Sons (3888 Jean-Talon St.), followed by Shiva hours until Thursday, April 19.

Story continues below advertisement

READ MORE: New Canadian research aims for tailored treatment of pancreatic cancer

Donations in his memory can be made to the Dr. Philip H. Gordon Memorial Fund of the Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery at the Jewish General Hospital Foundation.

Sponsored content

AdChoices