Laura J. Esserman

MD MBA

Director, UCSF Breast Care Center

Dr. Laura Esserman, a nationally known breast surgeon, directs the UCSF Breast Care Center. Her work is devoted to developing new, more effective ways to care for and empower breast cancer patients during treatment. She tailors treatments for individual patients using biology, personal preference and constant feedback regarding outcomes of care.

Esserman earned her undergraduate degree at Harvard University and completed her medical and surgical training at Stanford University. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship in breast oncology at Stanford and later earned a master's degree from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. She joined UCSF Medical Center in 1993.

  • Education

    Stanford University, MD, 1983

  • Residencies

    Stanford University, General Surgery, 1991

  • Board Certifications

    Surgery, American Board of Surgery

  • Academic Title

    Professor

  • Languages

    Spanish

Conditions I specialize in

Where I see patients (1)

    My work

    Cutting-edge breast cancer care

    Learn about the latest findings on breast cancer risk, screening and treatment from Dr. Esserman.

    Read the story on ucsf.edu

    Should low-risk tumors still be called cancer?

    Dr. Esserman explains how using a different term could reduce unnecessary worry over cancers that are unlikely to be life-threatening.

    Read the story in Reuters

    My reviews

    4.9

    Overall Experience
    87 Ratings
    About our process
    Sep 06, 2024
    Esserman is in a league of her own!!! Amazing , experienced dr.
    Aug 13, 2024
    Dr. Esserman is the best doctor I have ever had. She is very knowledgeable and trustworthy and I am very fortunate to get care by Dr. Esserman
    Jun 15, 2024
    Always excellent
    Jun 03, 2024
    Excellent explanations and real concern
    May 18, 2024
    Outstanding care!
    Dec 22, 2023
    Dr. Esserman is an excellent provider
    Dec 08, 2023
    Dr. Esserman is able put me at easy with her treatment plan. She is a very warm, caring and capable doctor. I feel I am in good hands of Dr. Esserman
    Nov 22, 2023
    Excellent
    Nov 03, 2023
    Dr. Esserman is a compassionate doctor and always spends as much time as needed with me. I wish more doctors could be like her. She is AMAZING.
    Oct 12, 2023
    She is very very busy, Hard to schedule, runs late- due to high demand for her.
    Oct 03, 2023
    Dr esserman is a treasure
    Apr 02, 2023
    Dr Esserman is INCREDIBLE as a heart-connected, caring physician. There are not number high enough to tell you how wonderful she is!
    Mar 30, 2023
    Only negative was the wait time, which was very long
    Dec 29, 2022
    Dr. Esserman and her entire staff are EXCELLENT
    Dec 17, 2022
    Dr Esserman shows compassion,concern, ability to listen, hold a hand and was worth the wait, needs support to shorten her day and give her relief

    Selected research

    See all research
    Decorative Caduceus

    MammaPrint, BluePrint, and Full-genome Data Linked With Clinical Data to Evaluate New Gene EXpr...

    Create a large scale registry of full genome expression data with clinical data to investigate possible new gene associations with prognostic or predictive value.

    Recruiting

    Decorative Caduceus

    DCIS: RECAST Trial Ductal Carcinoma In Situ: Re-Evaluating Conditions for Active Surveillance S...

    Fraction of patients remaining on active surveillance at 7 months compared to control

    Recruiting

    Decorative Caduceus

    I-SPY COVID-19 TRIAL: An Adaptive Platform Trial for Critically Ill Patients

    Time to reach a durable COVID-19 level 4 or less or discharge at COVID-level 4 or lower (except for discharge to another hospital), and time to death (mortality). Data will be analyzed for 3 groups: - All - COVID-19 level...

    Recruiting

    Decorative Caduceus

    Phase IIB Trial of Bazedoxifene Plus Conjugated Estrogens

    Change in fibroglandular volume assessed on 3-D digital mammogram by Volpara software.

    Recruiting

    Decorative Caduceus

    Women Informed to Screen Depending on Measures of Risk (Wisdom Study)

    Proportion of cancers diagnosed at Stage IIB or higher

    Recruiting

    Decorative Caduceus

    Immunotherapy in High-risk Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS)

    To determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), and recommended dose for subsequent expansion cohort, of intralesionally administered pembrolizumab in patients with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast.

    Recruiting

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