Eric Nakakura

MD PhD

Gastrointestinal cancer surgeon

Dr. Eric Nakakura is a cancer surgeon who specializes in tumors of the liver, pancreas, bile ducts and gastrointestinal tract. He also treats soft tissue sarcomas, including tumors of the retroperitoneum (a space in the abdominal cavity), trunk and extremities. At the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, he helps manage complex gastrointestinal tract cancers, soft tissue sarcomas and gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors, including carcinoid and islet cell tumors.

In his research, Nakakura studies endocrine differentiation in gastrointestinal tumors.

Nakakura earned his medical degree at Stanford University School of Medicine. He earned a doctorate in cellular and molecular medicine at Johns Hopkins University. He completed a residency in general surgery at Johns Hopkins Medicine and received advanced training in surgery at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, England. At Johns Hopkins, he completed a fellowship in surgical oncology with an emphasis on pancreatic, biliary and gastrointestinal surgery.

  • Education

    Stanford School of Medicine, 1995

  • Residencies

    Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Surgery, 2003

  • Fellowships

    Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Surgical Oncology, 2004

  • Board Certifications

    Surgery, American Board of Surgery

  • Academic Title

    Professor

Conditions I specialize in

Where I see patients (4)

    My reviews

    4.8

    Overall Experience
    342 Ratings
    About our process
    Dec 07, 2023
    I am very pleased with the care I have received from Dr. Nakakura and trust him with my care on the future.
    Sep 07, 2023
    Always a pleasure to deal with Dr. Nakakura.
    Aug 17, 2023
    Very Pleased
    Aug 17, 2023
    Honestly, the entire facility staff have been wonderful. Very caring, patient, diligent, thorough and have exceeded my expectations.
    Aug 09, 2023
    Good
    Aug 01, 2023
    I like my care provider, that's why I come to UCSF every year.
    Jul 25, 2023
    Good
    Jul 20, 2023
    Dr. Nakakura is an extremely kind and outstanding surgeon. The best of the best. I am so grateful to have him.
    Jul 18, 2023
    I'm now returning to UCSF and I am extremely grateful to be fully seen and heard by a doctor.
    Jun 27, 2023
    Dr Nakakura is outstanding! I feel so appreciative to be under his care.
    Jun 17, 2023
    The best
    Jun 16, 2023
    The Dr. Is excellent, very professional, explained my condition well. His assistant, whom I spoke with the day before was very, very nice helping me to get some paper work I needed.
    May 17, 2023
    Provider explained and went over all my concerns.
    May 13, 2023
    Very professional people to deal with and looking forward to future interactions.
    May 02, 2023
    I would never recommend Dr. Nakakura to anyone with similar conditions like mine.
    Apr 06, 2023
    Dr. Nakakura is the consummate physician and surgeon - more than competent, caring and compassionate.
    Mar 09, 2023
    Dr. Nakakura is an excellent doctor. He's been my doctor for nine years.
    Feb 11, 2023
    Comfortable with doctor. Very pleased with care I have been given
    Jan 30, 2023
    Dr. Nakakura is an outstanding Physician
    Jan 19, 2023
    One of the best doctors out there.
    Jan 13, 2023
    Dr Nakakura was fantastic. He inspired hope while also being very realistic. It was the perfect combination of what my wife and I needed.
    Jan 07, 2023
    I thought he didn't show empathy, kindness or care for my condition. He was defensive when I reminded him that He said I would be 100% cured after 3 months. Later he said good nutrition would help my pancreas heal. I asked him what good nutrition was and he said he's not a nutritionist. So I was left wondering what I could do to help my body heal.
    Jan 06, 2023
    Very good experience
    Dec 22, 2022
    Dr.Nakakura is the best. Really really like him
    Dec 18, 2022
    I was disappointed that the doctor had not looked at recent Petscan and oncologist report before connecting for the call.
    Dec 01, 2022
    Outstanding and compassionate and positive
    Nov 14, 2022
    Very knowledgeable professional.
    Nov 10, 2022
    Questions posed by me were completely answered; some future plans for post-surgery were discussed.
    Nov 09, 2022
    Dr. Nakakura didn't really address follow up care other than that I would likely stay 5 days more or less in the hospital after the surgery. Or at least I don't recall any such discussion - I was a little stunned by the cancer diagnosis and being told I would lose a kidney along with an 8-10 lb. Tumor mass, so my memory may not be complete.
    Nov 03, 2022
    The physician recommended surgery. When I asked who would be scheduling it, and added I had tremendous difficulty contacting that person in the past, he said I could send a message through my chart. I will try that , since the problem continues, but it would be helpful if the team members were identified in the chart.
    Oct 08, 2022
    Dr Nakakura has always treated me with a high degree of respect and compassion.
    Oct 07, 2022
    This surgeon came highly recommended by 2 specialist in our area where we live.
    Oct 06, 2022
    The Dr was very kind and explained everything
    Sep 03, 2022
    Dr. Nakakura is one of the finest surgeons you could have on staff. He is superb in his field. He has been my surgeon before and I could not ask for a more competent, caring surgeon. I am so fortunate to be in the care of UCSF. Thank you!
    Sep 01, 2022
    Good experience
    Sep 01, 2022
    I mostly appreciate this doctor's care for so many years. Thank you.
    Jul 15, 2022
    Bad because I didn't receive a call but the nurse said they called me at the appointment date.

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