Dr. Michael Alvarado

Dr. Michael D. Alvarado, MD, is a highly regarded surgical oncologist with specialized expertise in breast cancer and melanoma. He serves as Professor of Surgery at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), and practices at the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center. Dr. Alvarado earned his medical degree from the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth and completed his general surgery residency at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. He went on to complete a fellowship in surgical oncology at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center. He is board-certified in General Surgery and is recognized for his leadership in advancing surgical approaches to complex breast cancer care.

Dr. Alvarado is actively involved in clinical research focused on improving breast cancer outcomes through personalized treatment strategies. His work includes innovations in sentinel lymph node biopsy, integration of molecular biomarkers, and the optimization of neoadjuvant therapies. He has led and collaborated on multiple clinical trials aimed at enhancing breast conservation techniques and reducing overtreatment. His research has been widely published in peer-reviewed journals, and he contributes to national guidelines that shape the surgical management of breast cancer.

In addition to his clinical and research leadership, Dr. Alvarado is a dedicated educator and mentor. He serves as Director of the Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship Program at UCSF and plays an instrumental role in training the next generation of surgical oncologists. He is a member of the Society of Surgical Oncology and the American College of Surgeons, and he is regularly invited to speak at national and international conferences. Through his commitment to surgical innovation, academic mentorship, and compassionate care, Dr. Michael Alvarado continues to make a significant impact in the field of breast surgical oncology.