Frank Chen is a specialist colorectal surgeon and endoscopist. He trained at St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney, and attained his Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in 1993. He then completed further specialised training in colorectal surgery both in Australia and at the prestigious Cleveland Clinic Foundation, becoming a member of the Colorectal Surgical Society of Australia and New Zealand in 1996.

He is a consultant at Eastern Health and in private practice. His past appointments at Eastern Health include:

• Head of Colorectal Surgery
• Supervisor of Colorectal Surgical Training
• Director of the Anorectal Physiology Laboratory
• Chair of the Colorectal Cancer Multidisciplinary Meetings

He was also invited to join the core committee of the Victorian Branch of AVANT Medical Experts and served as Chair for a period of three years. In 2016, he was honoured with the Best Doctors Award, as judged by his peers.

Dr Chen holds appointments at Eastern Health (Box Hill and Healesville Hospitals), Knox Private Hospital, and the Epworth Eastern Hospital campus.

Clinical Interests:

• Diagnostic and therapeutic colonoscopy
• Treatment of colorectal cancer
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Re-operative and salvage surgery
• Pelvic floor and anal sphincter disorders

Best Doctor 2017: World’s Leading Medical Specialists Peer Award
Most Valued Intern St. Vincents Hospital 1986
Outstanding Clinical Fellow, Cleveland Clinic Foundation 1995-6
Colonoscopy Proficiency, Cleveland Clinic Foundation 1995-6

• Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS 1993)
• Fellow of the Colorectal Surgical Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSSANZ 1997)
• Member of the Gastroenterological Society of Australia (GESA 1994)
• Member of the Sydney Colorectal Society of Surgeons. 1996-
• Cleveland Clinic Alumni
• Member of the Australian Medical Association. 1996-
• Member of the Melbourne GUT Club. 1998-
• Member of the Australian Chinese Medical Association. 1996-
• Member of the Australian Crohn’s and Colitis Association. 1998-
• Member Avant. 1986-

Other Clubs/Societies

• The Heritage Golf Club Victoria. 2000-
• Royal Automotive Club Victoria. 1998-
• Old Sydnenians’ Union. 1986-
• Metropolitan Golf Club 2019-

1. Katarzyna A. Michalak, Ruth Cameron-Jeffs, Aileen H.F. Yen, Hugo M. Fernandes, Susan M. Shedda, Frank C. Chen, Martin G. Healey. Impact of bowel endometriosis surgery on bowel and bladder function, pain symptoms and quality of life. J Endometr Pelvic Pain Disord 2016; 8(2): 55 – 61
2. Lord RSA, Chen FCS, Devine T, Benn I. Surgical Management of Deep Vein Thrombosis. World J Surg, 1990; 14: 694-702.
3. Hugh TB, Chen FCS, Li B. Empyema of the Gallbladder Treated by Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy. Aust NZ J Surg, 1991; 61: 417-8.
4. Chen FCS, Hugh TB, Hill D, Meagher A. Endoscopic management of Gallstone Pancreatitis. Aust NZ J Surg, 1991; 61: 161-2.Reprinted in Current Opinions in Gastroenterology.
5. Hugh TB, Chen FCS, Li B, Hugh TJ. Divarication of the recti or Abdominal Incisional Hernia: A simple clinical differentiating test. Aust NZ J Surg, 1991; 61: 819-20.
6. Hugh TB, Chen FCS, Hugh TJ, Li B. Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Prospective Study of Outcome in 100 Unselected Cases. Med J Aust, 1992; 156: 318-20.
7. Hugh TB, Chen FCS, Hugh TJ, Li B. Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: a plea to preserve the Sphincter of Oddi(letter; comment). Med J Aust, 1992, 157: 575.
8. Chen FCS, Sheridan B, Nankervis J. Carcinoma arising from Thyroglossal Cysts. Aust NZ J Surg, 1993; 63: 614-6. Letter to Aust NZ J Surg in reply to comments. Carcinoma arising from Thyroglossal Cysts. Aust NZ J Surg, 1993; 63: 614-6. Aust NZ J Surg, 1994; 64: 212.
9. Chen FCS, Stuart M. Colonoscopic follow up of Colorectal Carcinoma. Dis Colon & Rectum, 1994; 37: 568-72.
10. Chen FCS, Fink RLW, Jolly H, Machet D. Meigs’ syndrome in association with a locally invasive adenocarcinoma of the fallopian tube. Aust NZ J Surg, 1995; 65: 761-762.
11. Chen F, Mackay J, Woods R, Collopy B, Fink R, Guiney M. Early experience with postoperative adjuvant chemoradiation for rectal carcinoma: focus on morbidity. Aust & NZ J Surg, 1995; 65: 732-736.
12. Lubowski D, Chen F, Kennedy M, King D. Results of colectomy for severe slow transit constipation. Diseases of the Colon and Rectum, 1996; 39, 23-28.
13. Chen FCS, Fink RLW. Squamous metaplasia of the rectum: a surgical curiosity. The European Journal of Surgery, 1996; 162: 155-156.
14. Chen F, Stuart M. The morbidity of defunctioning stomata. Aust & NZ J Surg, 1996; 66, 218-221.
15. Chen F, Woods R. Pseudomembranous panenteritis and septicaemia in a patient with Ulcerative Colitis. Aust NZ J Surg, 1996; 66, 565-7.
16. Chen F, Mackay J, Woods R. Ileostomy dysfunction in combined adjuvant chemoradiation for rectal cancer: a cause for concern. Aust NZ J Surgery, 1996; 66, 647-8.
17. Talley N Jr, Chen F, King D, Talley N. Short Chain Fatty Acid (Butyric acid) enemas in the treatment of chronic radiation proctitis. Diseases of the Colon and Rectum, Jan 1997.
18. Kennedy M, Lam T, Chen F, Lennox A, Lubowski D. Prevalence of faecal incontinence: obstetric and constipation related risk factors; a population based study. Colorectal Disease 1999;1 : 146-153.
19. Steel M, Mackay J, Woods, R, Chen F. Extent of mesorectal invasion is a prognostic indicator in T3 rectal carcinoma. ANZJSurg 2002; 72: 483-487.
20. Heriot A, Woods R, Chen F. Anterior rectal wall excision for endometriosis using the circular stapler. ANZ J Surg. 2003 Aug;73(8):647-8.
21. Heriot A, R Hicks, Drummond E, Keck J,Mackay J, Keck J, Chen F, Kalff V. Does positron emission tomography change management in primary rectal cancer? A prospective assessment. Dis Colon & Rectum 2004; 47: 451-8.
22. Lee J, Mackay J, Steel M, Keck J, Chen F. Perforated rectal cancer associated with neoadjuvant radiotherapy- A report of 4 cases. Dis Colon & Rectum. 49(10): 1629-32, 2006 Oct.
23. Wong SW, Chen F, Keck J, Woods R. Fibrin or flap for fistula-in-ano. Colorectal Disease 2005; 7:35 (Abstract).
24. Field K, Croxford M, Hastie I, Chen F, Kosminder S, Desai J, Gibbs P. Impact of Body Mass on Colorectal Cancer Treatment and Outcomes: Need for Prospective and Comprehensive Data. J Clin Onc. 27(9): 1524-6. 2009.
25. Field K, Platell C, Rieger N, Skinner I, Wattchow D, Jones I, Chen F, Kosmider S, Wohlers T, Hibbert M, Gibbs P. Lymph node yield following colorectal cancer surgery in Australia. ANZ J Surg. 2011 Apr;81(4):266-71. doi: 10.1111/j.1445-2197.2010.05571.x. Epub 2010 Nov 17.ANZJSx May 2010.

1. Chen FCS, Lord RSA. Inferior Vein Caval Filters in the management of Deep Vein Thrombosis. Presented at the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Registrars’ Paper Day. Sydney. August 1989.
2. Lord RSA, Chen FCS. Surgical Management of Deep Vein Thrombosis. Presented at the World Congress of Cardiovascular Surgery. Chicago, October 1988.
3. Chen F, Stuart M. Colonoscopic follow up of colorectal carcinoma; a prospective study. Presented at the Tripartite Colorectal Meeting, Sydney, October 1993.
4. Chen F, Mackay J, Woods R. St. Vincents Hospital Experience. Laparoscopic Colorectal Procedures. Presented at the St. Vincents Hospital Melbourne Centenary Meeting, October 1993.
5. Chen F, Fink R, Woods R. Unusual rectal tumours. Presented at the St. Vincents Hospital Melbourne Centenary Meeting, October 1993.
6. Chen F, Mackay J, Woods R, Collopy B, Fink R. Morbidity and mortality of adjuvant chemoradiation for rectal carcinoma. Presented at the St. Vincents Hospital Melbourne Centenary Meeting, October 1993. Updated and presented at the Annual Meeting May 1994.
7. Presented at the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Hobart Annual Scientific Meeting, May 1994.
8. Chen F, Kennedy M, Lubowski D, King D. Colectomy for Slow transit constipation. Presented at the Sydney Colorectal Society Country Meeting, Thredbo, August 1994.
9. Chen F, Kennedy M, Lubowski D, King D. Surgery for constipation. Presented at the Sydney Colorectal Society meeting, November 1994.
10. Represented at the American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgery meeting, Montreal, May 1994.
11. Stuart M, Chen F. Proximal Stoma. Presented at the Australian Colorectal Society workshop meeting on the practice parameters in the management of rectal cancer, March 1995, Sydney.
12. Chen F, Stuart M. Caecal pathology, the need for complete colonoscopy. Presented at the Sydney Colorectal Society Meeting March 1995, Katoomba.
13. Chen F, Kennedy M, Lubowski D, King D. The Clinical results of colectomy for slow transit constipation. Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Annual Scientific Meeting, Perth, May 1995.
14. Chen F, Stuart M. The morbidity of defunctioning stomata. Australian Colorectal Society Meeting, November 1995, Sydney.
15. Chen F, Fazio V. Oesophageal Crohns Disease, case report and literature review. Combined Inflammatory Bowel Disease Meeting January 31 1996, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland.
16. Nguyen H, Chen F, Kennedy M, Lubowski DZ. The 4 loop (W) ileoanal pouch: Comparison of stapled and handsewn technique. Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Annual Scientific Meeting May 1996, Melbourne.
17. Chen F. Update on Screening for colorectal cancer. Australian Chinese Medical Association Education Meeting. Sydney, February 1997.
18. Talley N, Chen F, King D, Talley N. Short Chain Fatty Acid (Butyric acid) enemas in the treatment of chronic radiation proctitis. Combined meeting of the Sydney Colorectal Surgical Society and Hunter Surgical Society. Hunter Valley, March 1997.
19. Chen F. Common anorectal conditions; workshop. Australian Chinese Medical Association Annual Scientific Meeting, Sydney, October 1997.
20. Lam T, Kennedy M, Chen F, Lubowski D, Talley N. Faecal and urinary incontinence- A population based study. Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Annual Scientific Meeting May 1997, Brisbane.
21. Chen F. Management of Faecal Incontinence: Sacral nerve stimulation. Presented at the Victorian Chapter of the Colorectal Surgical Society of Australia, Melbourne December 1998.
22. Mackay J, Woods R, Chen F. Preoperative Adjuvant treatment for primary rectal cancer. Perioperative and postoperative surgical morbidity. Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Annual Scientific Meeting May 2000, Melbourne.
23. Mackay J, Woods R, Chen F. Preoperative adjuvant chemoradiation for locally advanced rectal cancer: perioperative and postoperative morbidity. Royal Australasian College of Surgeon’s meeting Melbourne, May,2000.
24. Steel M, Mackay J, Woods, R, Chen F. T3 rectal cancer, reduced local recurrence rates with minimally invasive T3 cancers. RACS, ASC ,Canberra May 2001.
25. Steel M, Chen F. Pre-operative radiation for rectal cancer, short term impact on anal sphincter function: a manometric study. RACS ASC, Canberra May 2001.
26. Heriot A, Mackay J, Keck J, McKenzie A, Hicks R, Chen F. A prospective assessment of the impact of PET in Primary Rectal Cancer-does it change management? American Society of Colorectal Surgeons, New Orleans, May 2003.
27. Podium presentation: Association of Coloproctology Annual Meeting, Edinburgh, July 2003.
28. Podium presentation: Rectal Cancer Symposium, Melbourne, Nov 2003.
29. Chen F. Tethered Rectal Cancer, Is adjuvant therapy mandatory?. Combined CSSA, RACS Section and SCRS meeting, Sydney October 2003.
30. Barwood N, Mackay J, Woods R, Chen F. Surgery for T4 rectal cancer. Rectal Cancer Symposium, Melbourne, Nov 2003.
31. Chen F. Faecal Incontinence: Secca Procedure. Invited Speaker. Second Annual Pelvic Floor Disorders Symposium. Melbourne, March 2004.
32. Heriot S, J Mackay, R Woods, A McKenzie, F Chen. Preoperative staging of rectal cancer- are endorectal ultrasound and MRI as accurate as reported? Victorian Annual General Scientific Meeting June 2002, Melbourne.
33. Wong SW, Chen F, Keck J, Woods R. Fibrin or flap for fistula-in-ano. ASC May 2005, Perth.Represented Tripartite Colorectal Meeting, June 2005, Dublin.
34. Gett R, Keck J, Chen F. PTQ injections for faecal incontinence. ASC May 2007 Christchurch.
35. Ngan S, Joseph D, McLachlan S, Michael M, Strickland A, Van Dalen R, Chen F, Jayamoham J, Ackland S, Goldstein D, Mackay J, Fisher R. Quality of Life during the First Year in Patients with Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer receiving either Short Course or Long Course Preoperative Radiation and Adjuvant Chemotherapy. An Intergroup trial with TROG, AGITG, CSSA and RACS.

1. Australian Chinese Medical Association Meeting February 1997, Sydney. Screening for colorectal cancer. Current status.
2. General Practice Evening Central Division Sydney. Colorectal cancer screening. What general practice has to offer. November 1997.
3. The Box Hill Hospital Department of Colon and Rectal Surgery Public Information evening: Anorectal conditions, Box Hill, July 1998.
4. Faecal Incontinence: Medical Grand Rounds, Maroondah Hospital Melbourne, August 1998.
5. Polysaccharides, Butyrate and Colon Function. Australian Chinese Medical Association monthly scientific presentation Melbourne. August 1998.
6. The Anorectal Physiology Laboratory: Update in Surgery. Presented at the Box Hill Hospital General Practice Evening. September 1998.
7. Anorectal Physiology and Colorectal Symptoms. Lecture series to the RB Turnbull School of Enterostomal Therapy, Cleveland Ohio 1995.
8. Non-glandular sepsis of the perineum. Combined Gastroenterology-Colorectal Meeting, Cleveland 1995.
9. Oesophageal Crohns Disease. Combined Gastroenterology-Colorectal Meeting, Cleveland 1995.
10. Current Status of Deep Vein Thrombosis Prophylaxis. Combined Gastroenterology-Colorectal Meeting, Cleveland 1996.
11. Common Perianal conditions. Whitehorse Division of General Practice Update in Surgery Evening, Box Hill, August 1999.
12. Anorectal Physiology and Ultrasound. Applications. Box Hill Hospital Grand Rounds. August 1999.
13. Public Information Night Forums on Colorectal Conditions. Colorectal Cancer: symptoms and tests, Box Hill, Croydon. 1998,1999, 2001.
14. Whitehorse Division of General Practice Surgical Update: Colorectal Cancer, May 4th 2000, Box Hill.
15. Yarra Ranges Division of General Practice. Colorectal Cancer Screening. May 16th 2000 Warburton.
16. Knox Division of General Practice. Colorectal Cancer Update. Knox Hospital Wantirna, May 24th 2000.
17. Colorectal surgery and endometriosis. Endometriosis Association of Victoria AGM. October 2nd 2000. Melbourne.
18. Surgical staplers in Colorectal Surgery. Tyco Healthcare Education Seminar. April 2001, Melbourne.
19. Angliss Hospital Surgical Review & Audit Meeting. Anorectal diseases, diagnosis and management. Melbourne, June 2001.
20. Colorectal surgery and endometriosis. Endometriosis Association of Victoria AGM Melbourne, October 2nd 2000.
21. Apex Club Nunawading by Invitation. Colorectal Cancer. Melbourne, August 2001.
22. J Furniss, J Mackay , R Woods, F Chen. Quality of life after surgery for rectal cancer. 13th International Nursing Research Congress. Brisbane, July 2002.
23. F Chen. Altered bowel habits and rectal bleeding in the Aged. Aged Care Workshop, Affinity Health Knox: Melbourne, July 2004.
24. F Chen, S Wong. PTP in the treatment of faecal incontinence. Surgical workshop, Affinity Health Knox Hospital: Melbourne, September 2004.
25. F Chen. Abdominal-perineal resection. Surgical workshop, Affinity Health Knox Hospital: Melbourne, September 2004.
26. F Chen. Anorectal Surgical Workshop. Knox Division of General Practice, Melbourne, September 2004.
27. F Chen. Colorectal Cancer Update. Knox Division of General Practice, Melbourne, September 2004, 2007.

VIDEOTAPES

1. 1. 1. 1. Hugh TB, Chen F, Li B. Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy, scissor dissection. Presented at the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Annual Scientific Conference 1992, Sydney.

SUBMITTED ABSTRACTS

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Gibbs P, Platell C, Chen F, et al. Determinants of lymph node yield in colorectal cancer: analysis of 9867 patients from prospective Australian databases. Br J Surg 2009.
            2. Impact of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP). Utilising Faecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) Screening on the Diagnosis of Colorectal Cancer (CRC). McLaughlin S, Chen F, Hayes I, Hunter A, Skinner I, Steele M, Jones I, Hastie I, Reiger N, Shedda S, Gibbs P. Submitted Tripartite Colorectal Surgical Meeting, Boston 2008.

FACILITATOR/INVITED WORKSHOPS

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Faecal Incontinence: Primary and Delayed Overlapping Sphincter Repair. International Urogynaecology Association, Continence Foundation of Australia, Melbourne December 2001.
            2. New South Wales Chapter of the Australian Chinese Medical Association ASM. Workshop on anorectal conditions.October 1998, Sydney.
            3. Women In General Practice: Colorectal Cancer Screening. March 15th , 2009.

SESSIONAL CHAIRS / JOURNAL REVIEWS

1. 1. 1. 1. Pelvic Floor Session: Colorectal Surgery, RACS ASC Melbourne May 2004
         2. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Surgery Reviewer Jan 2008. Anal sphincter recontructions for anal fistulae.

1. 1. 1. Barwood N, Ansel J, Chen F, Keck J, Woods R, Mackay J. Extended pelvic resction of primary T4 adenocarcinoma of the rectum and sigmoid. Tripartite Colorectal Meeting, Melbourne, October 2002.
      2. Simpson R, Mackay J, Woods R, Furniss J, Chen F. Preoperative adjuvant chemoradiation for primary rectal cancer. Long term morbidity, bowel function and quality of life. Tripartite Colorectal Meeting, Melbourne, October 2002
      3. Heriot S, J Mackay, A McKenzie, F Chen. Preoperative MRI and ERUS staging for rectal cancer. Trpartite Colorectal Meeting, Melbourne, October 2002.
      4. Ansell J, Mackay J, Woods R, Chen F. Surgery for recurrent rectal cancer. Trpartite Colorectal Meeting, Melbourne, October 2002.
      5. Chen F, Strong S. Changing pathologic and clinical diagnosis in patients with toxic colitis. American Society of Colorectal Surgeons, June 1996, Seattle.
      6. Chen F, King D, Talley N. Short Chain Fatty Acid (Butyric acid) enemas in the treatment of chronic radiation proctitis. American Society of Colorectal Surgeons, June 1996, Seattle.
      7. Gibbs P, Platell C, Reiger N, Skinner I, Jones I, Wattchow D, Chen F, Suthar U, Compston D, Kosminder S, Field K. Determinants of Lymph Node Yield in Colorectal Cancer: Analysis of 10 082 Patients from Prospective Colorectal Cancer Databases. ASCO 2008.
      8. Presented at AGITG Meeting 2008.
      9. Accepted for presentation: Association of Colproctology of Great Britain and Ireland; Harrogate, 8-11 June 2009.

1. Quality of Life assessment in patients with endometriosis undergoing colorectal surgery. Conjoint project with the Royal Womens Hospital (in progress).Results of assessment of patients through the perineal clinic for incontinence following high risk deliveries. Conjoint project with the Department of O&G Box Hill Hospital (In progress).

2. Stoma closures. Randomised controlled trial of different wound management techniques.

3. Manometric, ultrasound and clinical assessment of patients undergoing a fistulotomy for uncomplicated low anal fistulae.

4. Results of PTQ injections for faecal incontinence. Collaborative project with St. Vincents Hospital Melbourne (In progress).

5. Referral letters for colonoscopy: The triage question and the need for more information (In progress).