Dr. Louis Rivera

Media Releases

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.

Recommended Articles

• How to Prepare for a Tonsillectomy

  What Is a Tonsillectomy?The tonsils are a very important part of your body. They are located in two glands at the back of your throat. In your younger years, they help produce antibodies that help you fight infections that attack your body. Sometimes, however, the tonsils themselves can get...

• Is Pancreatic Cancer Genetic?

  Is Pancreatic Cancer Genetic?Cancer is caused by a change in your genetic sequence. Genes are responsible for designing your body. Any alteration at that level will alter your body patterns.Cancer is an uncontrolled production of abnormal cells. Usually new cells are formed when your body needs...

• What Are the Side Effects of Gallbladder Surgery?

  The gallbladder is a small pear-shaped organ located between the liver and small intestine. Even though it plays a big role in digestion, a person can live a normal life without it. This means that the gallbladder can be discarded without necessarily affecting the functionality of other organs. If...

• Reasons Why You Need a Tonsillectomy

  A tonsillectomy is a surgical procedure performed to get rid of one's tonsils. The same procedure can be used to remove the adenoids. For adults, the administration of a local anesthesia to numb the throat is enough. However, children may have to be given general anesthesia, which makes them...

• Does My Diet Raise My Risk for Appendicitis?

  Many people pay little to no attention to the appendix. In fact, the appendix is probably the least studied organ in the body. The case can be confirmed by the fact that even in today’s highly advanced doctors and scientists, they still do not know the exact role of the appendix.The Role and...

• What are Kidney Stones: Get the Facts

  Kidney stones is a condition that's rate of infection is increasing every day especially in people aged between 20 and 40 years old. Statistics have indicated that around 20 percent of the world's population suffer from kidney stones. Among these, 20 percent are men while 10 percent are women.  ...