Joel M. Palefsky

MDCM FRCPC

Director, Anal Neoplasia Clinic, Research and Education (ANCRE) Center
Infectious disease physician
Clinician, researcher, and fan of good literature and bagels

Dr. Joel Palefsky is an expert in infectious diseases and cancers associated with these diseases. He is an internationally recognized expert on the biology, treatment, progression and history of human papillomavirus (HPV) infections of the anus and genitals, particularly in the setting of HIV infection. He directs the UCSF Anal Neoplasia Clinic, Research and Education (ANCRE) Center, the world's first clinic devoted to anal cancer prevention.

Palefsky's research focuses on the biology and treatment of anal cancer. He is vice chair of the AIDS Malignancy Consortium, a research group supported by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) that investigates new treatments for AIDS-related cancers, and chair of the Anal Cancer/HSIL Outcomes Research (ANCHOR) Study, a multisite NCI study examining whether treating anal cancer precursor lesions prevents the development of anal cancer and seeking to identify biomarkers of cancer progression.

Palefsky earned his medical degree at McGill University and completed a fellowship in infectious diseases at Stanford University.

Palefsky is founder and past president of the International Anal Neoplasia Society. He is also past president of the International Papillomavirus Society and founder and chairperson of its international campaign for HPV awareness.

  • Education

    McGill University, 1984

  • Residencies

    McGill University, Internal Medicine, 1984

  • Fellowships

    Stanford University, Infectious Disease, 1988

  • Board Certifications

    Infectious Disease, American Board of Internal Medicine

    Internal Medicine, American Board of Internal Medicine

  • Academic Title

    Professor

  • Languages

    French

A life helping others and contributing to our collective knowledge is a life well lived.

Conditions I specialize in

Where I see patients (1)

    My reviews

    5.0

    Overall Experience
    110 Ratings
    About our process
    Sep 24, 2024
    I have been under Dr Palefsky's care for many years Not only is he most knowledgeable but a very caring person as well. I consider him a friend.
    Sep 17, 2024
    I love my doctor.
    Aug 23, 2024
    The best ever.
    Aug 21, 2024
    Dr.Palefsky is a great doc...I am grateful for his time and attention
    Jun 25, 2024
    Already recommended Dr. Palefsky to my husband.
    Jun 04, 2024
    Dr. Palefsky is extremely professional, with a great bedside manner to help the patient feel more relaxed and comfortable. He's also one of the top doctors in his field.
    May 02, 2024
    Excellent experience!
    Apr 23, 2024
    I have been extremely privileged to have Dr. Joel Palefsky as my physician. He has consistently and over many years provided me with exceptional professional care and is internationally recognized as the best in his field. I am most grateful to Dr. Palefsky and sincerely believe that UCSF Health should be honored to count him among its most prestigious medical specialists.
    Mar 28, 2024
    He was great thank you
    Mar 07, 2024
    Dr Palefsky is the best at what he does. He is also a beautiful human being.
    Dec 07, 2023
    I have recommended Dr. Palefsky to my husband
    Dec 05, 2023
    Excellent knowledge, great bedside manner and genuine concern for my condition.
    Dec 05, 2023
    Dr. Palefsky is extremely competent with a great bedside manner.
    Oct 25, 2023
    Dr. Palefsky is wonderful! I am so fortunate to have him as my doctor!
    Sep 21, 2023
    Dr. Palefsky is great, very attentive and personable.
    Aug 17, 2023
    DT Palefsky is the best doctor I've ever worked with. Thoughtful, compassionate and collaborative.
    Jul 18, 2023
    My first appointment with Dr Palevsky. He was kind and informative
    Jul 18, 2023
    Dr. Palefsky is always courteous, patient, and very thorough.
    Jun 13, 2023
    I love Dr. Palefsky! He's an amazing doctor.
    May 23, 2023
    Doctor Palefsky and his team are the best, I mean THE BEST. I have been under his care for at least 12 years. At the top of his field and compassion and generous.,
    May 16, 2023
    Dr. Palefsky was was very friendly, explained things thoroughly, and listened carefully to what I had to say.
    Apr 13, 2023
    Dr. Palefsky is a humane and excellent doctor. I feel well cared for when I visit him.
    Apr 04, 2023
    Doc was beyond excellent
    Apr 04, 2023
    Dr. Was fantastic very caring and offered explanations of what was being done allowed me to view on screen and amazing care !
    Mar 18, 2023
    Dr. Palevsky didn't tell me what he was doing, he just got to work. My former doctor used to say what was doing each step of the way.
    Feb 28, 2023
    Friendly and technical.
    Jan 13, 2023
    Dr. Palefsky is friendly, knowledgeable, and communication with him is very easy and direct.
    Nov 18, 2022
    Dr. Palefsky is a fantastic doctor!

    Selected research

    See all research
    Decorative Caduceus

    Incidence of HIV Infection in Screening Indian Men Who Have Sex With Men

    The total number of participants with incident HIV divided by the total follow-up will be used to calculate the incidence per 100 person years. HIV status is determined by HIV rapid test and a confirmatory Western blot test.

    Recruiting

    Decorative Caduceus

    Incidence of HPV Infection and HPV-Associated Disease in Screening Indian Men Who Have Sex With...

    The proportion of men with HPV 6, 11, 16, and/or 18-associated HGAIN will be calculated. HGAIN is determined by biopsy and HPV typing is based on concurrent DNA analysis of anal swabs.

    Recruiting

    Decorative Caduceus

    Anal High-risk HPV, HSIL, and Microbiome Among Hispanic Peoples Living With HIV (PLWH)

    Among Hispanic PLWH without anal high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL), the investigators hypothesize the microbiome will be different between those with and without hr-HPV infection and the proportion with pro-inflam...

    Recruiting

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