Message from the Chief

Message from the Chief

Our goal is to provide compassionate, state-of-the-art multidisciplinary care to patients diagnosed with lung cancer, esophageal cancer, thymic tumors and other benign and malignant thoracic conditions.

We are proud to be a regional, national, and international referral center for lung surgery. Our surgeons are known for their emphasis on minimally invasive and robotic surgery techniques, as well as for their willingness to go the extra mile for patients in all aspects of their care. We are also a high volume center for thoracic surgery, one of the largest on the West Coast. Our post-operative mortality rates are among the lowest anywhere.

UCSF Medical Center earned a “high performance” rating – the highest rating possible – for lung cancer surgery in the 2024-2025 U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals survey. The survey evaluated data from more than 6,00 hospitals.

We have extensive experience in performing minimally invasive thoracic surgery. That means shorter hospital stays, less post-operative pain, and a more rapid return to normal activities. For patients who need chemotherapy after surgery, it means they can begin their treatment faster and are better able to tolerate higher doses.

Our medical oncology group is led by Matthew A. Gubens, MD, one of the region's foremost and highly regarded thoracic oncologists. Other specialists treating patients, from radiation oncology, pulmonology, pathology, and imaging, are similarly dedicated and highly skilled. All have specialized expertise in treating patients with lung cancer and other thoracic malignancies.

Our scientists have the same commitment to eradicating thoracic cancers as I do. Our lab researchers work tirelessly seeking to discover new therapies and cures. Our clinical investigators offer a broad menu of clinical trials that allow patients to access the latest treatments. Together, our team is dedicated to doing all that we can to improve the lives of patients with thoracic cancers everywhere.