City of Hope’s Department of Surgery provides the highest quality surgical care for our patients in an environment where research and compassionate care thrive. The department is chaired by renowned surgeon Yuman Fong, M.D., an internationally recognized expert in liver, gallbladder and bile duct cancers.
For the past 19 years, City of Hope has been named as one of the nation's best hospitals for cancer in U.S. News & World Report’s annual rankings. For 2025-26, these rankings placed City of Hope among the top 10 in the nation for the fourth consecutive year.
At the forefront of surgical advances and specializing in the latest minimally invasive and laparoscopic procedures, the department is a world leader in robotic-assisted techniques. Guided by our skilled surgeons, our innovative surgical approaches result in more effective and accurate tumor removal, smaller incisions, shorter recovery times and improved overall patient outcomes.
Why Choose City of Hope
City of Hope's Department of Surgery specializes in treating various cancers, including breast, colorectal, skin, gynecologic, head and neck, brain, musculoskeletal, lung and thoracic and urologic cancers. Our expert surgeons and surgical oncologists utilize the most advanced therapies and drive innovative research and medical breakthroughs.
We understand that every patient is unique. Therefore, we develop personalized treatment plans to achieve the most favorable outcomes for our patients. At City of Hope, our surgeons collaborate closely with radiation oncologists, support staff and social services to create comprehensive, coordinated multidisciplinary treatment strategies.
Our research focuses on early diagnosis and prevention. We help our patients manage quality-of-life issues related to their treatment. We consistently evaluate trends and advancements in cancer care, such as refining the robotic-assisted surgical techniques pioneered by our clinical team. City of Hope was among the first cancer centers in the United States to perform robotic-assisted prostatectomies using the da Vinci Surgical System, beginning in 2003. Since then, our surgeons have completed over 25,000 robotic procedures. The key benefits of these robotic surgeries include faster recovery times and reduced blood loss compared to traditional open-incision procedures. Our skilled team employs techniques to target tumors precisely, enabling complete removal while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. We are experts in minimally invasive surgical methods, which result in smaller incisions, reduced postoperative pain, fewer complications and faster recovery times.
At City of Hope®, we are continuously developing tomorrow's treatment protocols for various cancers. Our physicians test new minimally invasive techniques that not only remove tumors but also administer localized chemotherapy in a single procedure, as well as MRI-guided therapies that deliver gene therapy directly into tumors.
Los Angeles-Area Surgical Divisions
The Division of Breast Surgery offers leading-edge technology for treating breast cancer, using fewer and smaller incisions to optimize comfort and recovery. The expert team specializes in breast-conserving surgery, which can remove early-stage tumors while achieving excellent cosmetic outcomes.
The skilled, board-certified experts in City of Hope’s Division of Colorectal Surgery have deep experience in techniques at the leading edge of their field. We serve the entire spectrum of colorectal diseases — both cancerous and noncancerous — with a combination of expertise, the most advanced technology and, most importantly, compassion. We aim to not only fight disease, but also bring patients hope.
City of Hope’s oncodermatology program provides seamless, comprehensive care for the full spectrum of melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers and treatment-related skin conditions.
The Division of Gynecologic Oncology brings together an expert team of surgeons trained in minimally invasive and robotic surgical techniques, including preventative surgery for women at high risk for developing gynecological cancer.
City of Hope offers a truly comprehensive approach to treating head and neck cancers. Our renowned head and neck surgeons specialize in the complex procedures often necessary to eradicate these tumors while preserving vital structures and function.
City of Hope’s Divisions of Neurosurgery and Neuro-oncology are pioneering the use of several novel therapies, which may offer new hope for a cure in many forms of brain cancer.
The Division of Orthopaedic Surgery provides diagnosis and treatment for patients with tumor-related problems of the musculoskeletal system, including bone and soft-tissue sarcomas.
City of Hope’s Division of Plastic Surgery works closely with general surgeons, oncologists and other team members to ensure an aesthetically pleasing and functional result following many types of cancer surgery.
The Division of Surgical Oncology is dedicated to providing world-class personalized care through our network of expert physicians. We recognize the importance of patient-focused care as we collaborate with our multidisciplinary team of surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, geneticists and supportive care specialists.
The Division of Thoracic Surgery at City of Hope provides advanced surgical techniques for aggressive management of thoracic and lung cancers.
The Division of Urology and Urologic Oncology offers surgery for bladder cancer, benign urology conditions, kidney cancer, pelvic medicine and genitourinary reconstructive surgery, prostate cancer and testicular cancer.
Research
City of Hope surgeons and researchers at City of Hope work closely together to create and evaluate new therapies to improve survival rates and quality of life, focusing on treatments that target tumor cells and minimize damage to healthy tissue. Our physicians specialize in translational medicine, closing the gap between laboratory discoveries and clinical treatment.
Visiting International Scholars Program
The Department of Surgery at City of Hope welcomes surgeons and scientists to City of Hope through our Visiting International Surgeon Scholars Program. This program offers clinical observation and research experiences for surgeons and scientists outside the United States who are interested in cancer surgery, translational research and/or surgical innovation. The program provides the opportunity to join our experts in the Department of Surgery and participate in clinical, educational and research activities at City of Hope.