 Surgery is the cornerstone of treatment for patients with oesophageal or gastric cancer, but while surgical removal of the tumour oesophagectomy or gastrectomy may offer the best chance of cure, these are major operations associated with specific long term complications. Weight loss and poor nutrition are relatively common problems among patients who attain long-term cancer remission and cure after surgery. The mechanisms underlying these problems are not well understood and therefore treatment options are limited. 