Advanced Thoracic
Surgery Care
Dr. Kashif Irshad, MD, MSc, FRCSC
Chief, Division of Thoracic Surgery
Specialized surgical care
across thoracic conditions
Below are the conditions Dr. Irshad treats most often. Each one has its own page written in plain language — what the condition is, how it’s treated, what to expect during recovery, and answers to the questions patients ask most. Click “Learn more” on any card to read about yours.
Lung cancer
Cancer that starts in the lungs. When it’s found early, it can often be removed through a few small cuts instead of open surgery — which means less pain and a faster recovery. More than 95% of Dr. Irshad’s lung operations are done this minimally invasive way — robotically (RATS) or by keyhole (VATS).
Learn more →Esophageal cancer
Cancer in the esophagus, the tube that carries food from your throat to your stomach. Dr. Irshad removes it using keyhole surgery rather than a large open operation — he performed the first such series in Canada — to treat the cancer while making recovery easier.
Learn more →Hiatus hernia
When part of the stomach slides up through the muscle below the lungs, often causing heartburn and acid reflux. A keyhole repair gently moves things back into place. Dr. Irshad performs over 100 of these repairs a year, including large, complex hernias.
Learn more →Achalasia
A swallowing problem where the valve at the bottom of the esophagus won’t open properly, so food and drink get stuck. A keyhole operation (Heller myotomy) releases the tight valve so you can eat and drink comfortably again.
Learn more →Mediastinal tumors
Growths in the space between the lungs, such as thymomas and cysts. These can usually be removed through a few small cuts, avoiding a large opening in the chest.
Learn more →Hyperhidrosis
Heavy, uncontrollable sweating of the hands, underarms, or face. A short day-surgery procedure (ETS) calms the nerves that trigger it. Covered by OHIP, with a non-surgical option also available for underarm sweating.
Learn more →Pectus excavatum
A breastbone that grows inward, giving the chest a sunken look. The Nuss procedure places a hidden support bar to gently reshape the chest — think of it as braces for the breastbone. Dr. Irshad brought this procedure to William Osler Health System.
Learn more →Weight loss surgery
Keyhole surgery to support significant, lasting weight loss, including sleeve gastrectomy and a combined sleeve-and-anti-reflux option for people who also struggle with heartburn (GERD). All done through small cuts.
Learn more →Not sure where to start?
Pick what’s bothering you most — we’ll point you to the right 2-minute self-check
These validated questionnaires are for information only — they do not diagnose any condition or replace assessment by your doctor. Your answers are not stored or sent anywhere.