Laura J. Esserman, MD

Surgical Oncologist

Dr. Laura J. Esserman is a Surgical Oncologist in San Francisco, CA with special training and skill in treating cancer surgically. As a Surgical Oncologist, Laura J. Esserman, MD performs surgical cancer procedures, tissue biopsy, and patient education. Surgical Oncology is a medical specialty centered on treating a wide variety of cancers using surgical diagnostic methods and surgical techniques. Significant diseases and conditions treated by Surgical Oncologists include cancer of the colon, prostate, breast, lung, stomach, pancreas, throat, thyroid, gallbladder, liver, blood, brain, and ovaries. Medical tests, procedures and therapies provided by Surgical Oncologists include x-ray, MRI, and CT imaging, tissue and tumor biopsy, surgical removal of tumors, creating treatment plans for cancer patients, providing patient education, developing patient nutrition plans, and providing post-operative patient care.

A surgical oncologist is a well-qualified surgeon who has obtained additional training and experience in the multidisciplinary approach to the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of cancer patients, and devotes a major portion of his or her professional practice to these activities and cancer research.

Surgeon

Dr. Laura J. Esserman is a Surgeon in San Francisco, CA with special training and skill in performing surgical procedures within a wide variety of specialties. As a Surgeon, Laura J. Esserman, MD performs surgical operations to prevent or remedy illness, injury, or dysfunction relating to patient anatomy. Surgery is a medical specialty focusing on surgical operations performed as emergency or elective procedures. Significant diseases and conditions treated by Surgeons include appendicitis, heart disease, pancreatitis, traumatic injury, cancer, congenital birth defect, oral disease or dysfunction, gallbladder disease, kidney stones, chronic back, neck, or joint pain, chronic sinus infection, brain disorders, and eye injury or illness. Medical tests, procedures and therapies provided by Surgeons include laboratory testing, surgical procedures, post-operative care, patient education, anesthesia administration, and pre-and post-operative medication prescription.

A general surgeon has expertise related to the diagnosis - preoperative, operative and postoperative management - and management of complications of surgical conditions in the following areas: alimentary tract; abdomen; breast, skin and soft tissue; endocrine system; head and neck surgery; pediatric surgery; surgical critical care; surgical oncology; trauma and burns; and vascular surgery. General surgeons increasingly provide care through the use of minimally invasive and endoscopic techniques. Many general surgeons also possess expertise in transplantation surgery, plastic surgery and cardiothoracic surgery.