Margarida Saraiva

In-person and online consultations · English-speaking gastroenterologist · Portuguese, English, Italian and Spanish

Dr. Margarida Saraiva is an experienced English-speaking gastroenterologist in Lisbon with a strong academic and clinical background. She completed her gastroenterology specialty training at Instituto Português de Oncologia de Lisboa (IPO Lisboa), one of Portugal’s leading cancer centers, and has been a hospital consultant in gastroenterology there since 2026.

Her main areas of expertise include gastrointestinal oncology, inflammatory bowel disease, and advanced therapeutic endoscopy. During her specialty training, she participated in more than 1,000 multidisciplinary consultations for gastrointestinal cancers and developed extensive experience in the diagnosis and management of complex gastrointestinal disease.

Advanced endoscopy is one of Dr. Saraiva’s particular strengths. She completed a six-month advanced endoscopy training program at NTT Medical Centre and Omori Red Cross Hospital in Tokyo, Japan, with both observational and hands-on training. Her experience includes participation in 606 endoscopic submucosal dissections (ESD), as well as a wide range of other advanced therapeutic procedures.

At the same time, patients do not need to have a complex or rare condition to see Dr. Saraiva. A gastroenterology consultation is appropriate for common problems such as heartburn, acid reflux, gastritis, abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, and changes in bowel habits. The goal is to understand the cause of symptoms and determine which tests or treatments are actually needed.

About Dr. Saraiva

Dr. Saraiva’s practice combines clinical gastroenterology, advanced endoscopy, gastrointestinal oncology, and academic medicine.

A major part of her clinical experience is the diagnosis and management of gastrointestinal cancers. At IPO Lisboa, she participated in 1,089 multidisciplinary consultations, including 489 for colorectal cancer, 452 for esophageal and gastric cancer, and 150 for hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancer.

She also has substantial experience with inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease, and has participated as both a principal investigator and co-investigator in clinical research projects in this field.

Another area of expertise is the endoscopic management of complex complications following gastrointestinal surgery, including anastomotic leaks and fistulas. Her experience includes endoscopic vacuum therapy, stent placement, and other advanced therapeutic interventions.

However, her approach starts with the patient’s actual problem. Whether you have occasional heartburn or a newly diagnosed gastrointestinal condition, the consultation focuses on your symptoms, medical history, previous test results, and the most appropriate next step.

Education and Training

• Medical Degree — Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Portugal (2013–2019).
• Master’s Thesis — “Impact of vitamin D in patients with epilepsy.” The work was published as a scientific article in neurology.
• National Medical Residency Entrance Examination — 2019.
• General Training Medical Residency — Unidade Local de Saúde de São José (2020).
• Gastroenterology Specialty Training — Instituto Português de Oncologia de Lisboa (2021–2025).
• Advanced Endoscopy Training — six-month program at NTT Medical Centre and Omori Red Cross Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
• Registration with the Portuguese Medical Association — Medical License No. 68375.

Areas of Expertise

• gastrointestinal oncology;
• colorectal cancer and early-onset colorectal cancer;
• esophageal and gastric cancer;
• hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases;
• inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis;
• advanced therapeutic endoscopy;
• endoscopic resection of gastrointestinal lesions;
• endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD);
• endoscopic vacuum therapy;
• endoscopic management of complications after gastrointestinal surgery.

What Patients Can See Her For

• heartburn, acid reflux, and regurgitation;
• abdominal pain or discomfort;
• bloating and excessive gas;
• nausea, heaviness, or discomfort after eating;
• diarrhea or constipation;
• changes in bowel habits;
• blood in the stool;
• unexplained weight loss;
• difficulty swallowing;
• abnormal laboratory results requiring gastroenterology evaluation;
• preventive assessment when there is a family history of colorectal or other gastrointestinal cancers;
• evaluation before or after an endoscopic procedure.

Conditions She Treats

• gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD);
• gastritis and peptic ulcer disease;
• Helicobacter pylori infection;
• irritable bowel syndrome (IBS);
• inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis;
• diverticular disease;
• gastrointestinal polyps and other lesions;
• colorectal cancer and other gastrointestinal cancers;
• esophageal and gastric diseases;
• liver diseases;
• pancreatic diseases;
• gallbladder and biliary tract diseases.

Research and Academic Activity

Dr. Saraiva is actively involved in clinical research and academic medicine. She has authored and co-authored publications in international medical journals and has participated in 57 oral and poster presentations at national and international scientific meetings.

Her research interests include early-onset colorectal cancer, Crohn’s disease and inflammatory bowel disease, liver disease, endoscopic management of postoperative complications, and gastrointestinal cancers.

She has also participated in multicenter research projects and served as a principal investigator in several clinical studies.

Teaching

From 2020 to 2024, Dr. Saraiva was a trainer for the Gastroenterology Module of Academia da Especialidade. She has also taught medical students and residents.

She has been an invited speaker at courses and professional meetings covering gastrointestinal oncology, enteral feeding, endoscopic vacuum therapy, and the management of chronic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia to reduce gastric cancer risk.

Professional Memberships

• Portuguese Society of Gastroenterology (SPG);
• Portuguese Society of Digestive Endoscopy (SPED);
• Portuguese Association for the Study of the Liver (APEF);
• Study Group of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (GEDII);
• Portuguese Group for Ultrasound in Gastroenterology (GRUPUGE);
• International Bowel Ultrasound Group (IBUS);
• American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE);
• European Society of Digestive Oncology (ESDO);
• United European Gastroenterology (Y-UEG);
• Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society (JGES).

Languages

Portuguese — native. English — C1. Italian — B1. Spanish — B1.

Consultation Format

• in-person consultation at UMC;
• online consultation;
• with or without a referral.

Book a Consultation

You can see Dr. Saraiva for common gastrointestinal symptoms such as heartburn, gastritis, abdominal pain, or digestive problems, as well as for complex or previously diagnosed gastrointestinal conditions.

During the consultation, she will review your symptoms, medical history, and previous test results and determine whether further testing or treatment is needed.

Gastroenterology Consultation €120

Book an Appointment today