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Best Surgical Oncology specialists in California

Match with a top Surgical Oncology specialist in California — priority appointment in days, not months.

Surgical Oncology · California
Robert Reiter

Robert Reiter, MD

Bing Professor of Urologic Oncology; Chief, Division of Urologic Oncology; Director, Prostate Cancer Program

Oncology

Los Angeles, CA
Madhulika Varma

Madhulika Varma, MD

Professor of Surgery, Division of General Surgery; Chief, Section of Colorectal Surgery; Maurice Galante, MD Distinguished Professor in Surgical Oncology; Director, UCSF Center for Pelvic Physiology

Oncology

San Francisco, CA
Michael Bouvet

Michael Bouvet, M.D.

Professor of Surgery; Director of Endocrine Surgery; Co-Director of the Gastrointestinal Cancer Unit, UC San Diego Health

Oncology

La Jolla, CA
Mark Litwin

Mark Litwin, MD

Professor and Chair of the Department of Urology; Professor of Health Policy & Management, Urology, and Nursing

Oncology

Los Angeles, CA
Jason Sicklick

Jason Sicklick, M.D.

Associate Professor of Surgery; Executive Vice Chair of Research, Department of Surgery; Co-Leader, Sarcoma Disease Team, UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center

Oncology

San Diego, CA
Joshua Ellenhorn

Joshua Ellenhorn, MD

Co-Director, The Breast Cancer Center at Surgery Group LA

Oncology

Los Angeles, CA
Laura Esserman

Laura Esserman, MD

Professor of Surgery and Radiology, Director, UCSF Breast Care Center, University of California San Francisco

Oncology

San Francisco, CA
Arnold Chin

Arnold Chin, MD, PHD

Professor, Department of Urology; Medical Director, Urology-Westwood

Oncology

Los Angeles, CA
Nancy Ascher

Nancy Ascher, MD

Clinical director of the liver transplant program

Oncology

San Francisco, CA
Karim Chamie

Karim Chamie, M.D.

Professor of Urology, UCLA School of Medicine

Oncology

Los Angeles, CA
Sarah Blair

Sarah Blair, M.D.

Professor & Vice Chair, Department of Surgery, UC San Diego School of Medicine

Oncology

La Jolla, CA
Gagandeep Singh

Gagandeep Singh, MD

Professor of Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of USC; Director, Liver and Pancreas Center, City of Hope

Oncology

Duarte, CA
Rena Callahan

Rena Callahan, M.D.

Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA

Oncology

Los Angeles, CA
Scott Karlan

Scott Karlan, M.D.

Clinical Professor of Surgery, UCLA

Oncology

West Hollywood, CA
Amer Karam

Amer Karam, MD

Director, Robotic Surgery, Division of Gynecologic Oncology

Oncology

Stanford, CA
Richard Essner

Richard Essner, M.D.

Professor of Surgery; Director of Surgical Oncology; Co-Director, Melanoma and Cutaneous Oncology Research Program, Saint John’s Cancer Institute

Oncology

West Hollywood, CA
Yuman Fong

Yuman Fong, MD

Chair, Department of Surgery; Professor of Surgery

Oncology

Duarte, CA
Afshin Bahador

Afshin Bahador, MD

Clinical Instructor, Balboa Naval Medical Center and USC Keck School of Medicine

Oncology

San Diego, CA
Kimberly Kirkwood

Kimberly Kirkwood, MD

Gastrointestinal Surgical Oncology

Oncology

San Francisco, CA
James Jakowatz

James Jakowatz, MD

Professor of Surgery; Director, Melanoma Center, Surgery

Oncology

Orange, CA

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a Surgical Oncology oncologist do?
A Surgical Oncology oncologist is a Oncology physician with focused training in the surgical management of cancer, including complex tumor resections and reconstructive procedures. After completing Oncology residency, they pursue additional fellowship training so they can manage cases that fall outside what a general oncologist typically handles day to day.
What conditions does a Surgical Oncology oncologist treat?
A Surgical Oncology oncologist commonly treats breast cancer surgery, soft tissue sarcomas, melanoma, thyroid and endocrine tumors, and complex abdominal tumors. Many also see closely related conditions within Oncology, particularly when a case is complex, atypical, or has not responded to first-line care from a general oncologist.
When should I see a Surgical Oncology oncologist?
Consider seeing a Surgical Oncology oncologist when surgery is part of your cancer treatment plan, when a primary care clinician or general oncologist suggests a focused evaluation, or when you want a second opinion from a physician whose practice is concentrated on this exact area. Patients often reach a Surgical Oncology oncologist through referral, but you can also seek one directly.
How is a Surgical Oncology oncologist different from a general oncologist?
Both are board-eligible oncologists, but a Surgical Oncology oncologist has additional fellowship training and a practice that focuses on the surgical management of cancer, including complex tumor resections and reconstructive procedures. General oncologists treat a broad range of Oncology concerns; Surgical Oncology oncologists concentrate on the harder or more specific cases within that range, and tend to see a higher volume of patients with breast cancer surgery, soft tissue sarcomas, melanoma, thyroid and endocrine tumors, and complex abdominal tumors.
How does Convene match me with a top Surgical Oncology oncologist?
Convene Health evaluates oncologists on peer recognition, clinical leadership, published research, institutional affiliations, and patient feedback. When you complete an intake, our care team reviews your history and matches you with a vetted Surgical Oncology oncologist whose focus aligns with your case. Membership covers priority appointment coordination; the match itself is free.