Dr. Robert Langland Eil MD

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Get to know Surgeon Dr. Robert Eil, who serves patients in Portland, Oregon.

A top professional in the field of oncology, Dr. Eil serves as an Assistant Professor of Surgery in the Division of Surgical Oncology at the School of Medicine. His dedication and expertise are concentrated in the realm of surgical oncology, with a special focus on various types of cancer, including colorectal, gastrointestinal, upper gastrointestinal (which encompasses the esophagus, stomach, gallbladder, and biliary system), liver, and pancreatic cancer.

With a broad educational background , the doctor’s educational journey began with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree from Tulane University in 2005. He furthered his academic pursuit by earning a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine in 2010.

In his quest to become a highly skilled surgeon, Dr. Eil completed a rigorous and comprehensive residency in General Surgery at Oregon Health & Science University from 2010 to 2018. Following this, he delved into specialized training through a Fellowship in Tumor Immunology & Immunotherapy at the Surgery Branch of the National Cancer Institute, NIH, spanning from 2013 to 2016. Furthermore he honed his skills further during a Complex General Surgical Oncology fellowship at the prestigious Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, which he successfully completed in 2020. 

An expert in his field, the doctor is board-certified in complex general surgical oncology by the American Board of Surgery (ABS). The ABS is an independent, non-profit organization located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, founded for the purpose of certifying surgeons who have met a defined standard of education, training, and knowledge.

In his role as a scientist, he conducts groundbreaking research in the field of immunotherapy, a revolutionary approach that harnesses the body’s natural immune response to combat cancer. Dr. Eil’s work, which includes a significant research stint at the National Cancer Institute, has resulted in vital discoveries about the mechanisms of immune cells in fighting cancer. 

Dr. Eil’s remarkable journey led him back to Oregon Health & Science University, where he was recruited to establish his research group. With unwavering commitment, he continues to explore the immune microenvironment and engineer T-cells to function effectively within the context of liver and pancreatic cancers. His multidisciplinary expertise provides a unique and promising perspective on reinvigorating T-cell function, ultimately enhancing the lives and outcomes of patients grappling with these challenging diseases.

Surgical oncology is the branch of surgery applied to oncology. It focuses on the surgical management of tumors, especially cancerous tumors. A surgical oncologist removes the tumor and nearby tissue during surgery. He or she also performs certain types of biopsies to help diagnose cancer.

On a more personal note, Dr. Eil is a devoted family man. He and his wife are proud parents of two young children and enjoy spending quality time together while exploring the world through travel and reveling in the beauty of the great outdoors as a family. 

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