Dr. Louis Rivera

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et to know Surgical Oncologist Dr. Louis Rivera, who serves patients in San Diego, California.

Dr. Rivera is a fellowship-trained surgical oncologist working at Prebys Cancer Center in California.

Prebys Cancer Center, located on the campus of Scripps Mercy Hospital, San Diego, is part of Scripps MD Anderson Cancer Center — a clinically integrated cancer care program that treats patients throughout San Diego County. The 40,000-square-foot, four-story facility offers a wide range of advanced cancer treatments and patient support services.

In his line of work, Dr. Rivera specializes in the surgical treatment of multiple cancers including breast, melanoma, pancreas, liver, gastrointestinal and cancerous and non-cancerous soft tissue tumors like sarcoma. In addition, he has experience with minimally invasive, including robotic approaches to surgical care. 

His affiliations extend to several prestigious healthcare institutions, including Scripps Green Hospital, Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla, Scripps Mercy Hospital San Diego, Scripps Mercy Hospital Chula Vista, and Scripps Mercy Surgery Pavilion.

Guided by a patient-centered philosophy, Dr. Rivera is dedicated to tailoring his approach to each patient’s unique treatment and life objectives. He recognizes the collaborative nature of cancer care, involving a team of specialists, and places great importance on communication and teamwork as essential components of delivering high-quality medical care.

A 1999 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Dr. Rivera went in to perform his internship and residency in general surgery at Naval Medical Center San Diego in 2001 and 2007, respectively. He then completed a fellowship in surgical oncology at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in 2010.

Holding board certification in general surgery, the doctor is recognized as a Diplomate of the American Board of Surgery (ABS). The ABS is an independent, non-profit organization located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, founded for the purpose of certifying surgeons who have met a defined standard of education, training, and knowledge.

Beyond his certifications, Dr. Rivera is honored as a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and is an active member of esteemed professional organizations, including the Society of Surgical Oncology and the American Society of Breast Surgeons. His commitment to the field of surgical oncology is exemplified through his dedication to ongoing professional development and his unwavering pursuit of excellence in patient care.

Surgical oncology is the branch of surgery applied to oncology. It focuses on the surgical management of tumors, especially cancerous tumors. A surgical oncologist removes the tumor and nearby tissue during surgery. He or she also performs certain types of biopsies to help diagnose cancer.

In his spare time, Dr. Rivera enjoys the company of family and friends.

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