Donald I. Abrams

MD

Cancer and integrative medicine specialist
Pioneering integrative oncologist and solar eclipse chaser

Dr. Donald I. Abrams is a specialist in integrative medicine and cancer treatment at the UCSF Osher Center for Integrative Health. He provides consultations for cancer patients on incorporating appropriate complementary therapies into their treatment plans.

Previously at the forefront in HIV/AIDS research and treatment, Abrams has also studied complementary and alternative therapies, including mind-body treatments, botanical therapies, medical use of cannabis and herbal therapies used in traditional Chinese medicine. He continues to research the health effects of medical cannabis.

In addition to his role at the Osher Center, Abrams continues to practice general oncology at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, where he was chief of hematology-oncology from 2003 to 2017. He completed a fellowship in integrative medicine at the University of Arizona in 2004 and subsequently stepped down from HIV practice to devote more time to integrative oncology.

Dr. Andrew Weil and Abrams were co-editors of the textbook Integrative Oncology, published by Oxford University Press. In 2010, Abrams served as president of the Society for Integrative Oncology.

  • Education

    Stanford University School of Medicine, 1977

  • Residencies

    UCSF Medical Center, Hematology, 1983

  • Fellowships

    University of Arizona Medical Center, Integrated Medicine, 2004

  • Board Certifications

    Medical Oncology, American Board of Internal Medicine

    Internal Medicine, American Board of Internal Medicine

  • Academic Title

    Professor

  • Languages

    French

Cancer is like a weed. My goal is to work with the garden to make the soil as inhospitable as possible to the weed’s growth and spread.

Conditions I specialize in

Where I see patients (1)

    My reviews

    4.9

    Overall Experience
    78 Ratings
    About our process
    Aug 30, 2023
    Dr. Abrams has consistently provided me excellent guidance. He provides good alternatives and is expert at listening and I have great trust in his judgment as a clinician and as a support to me.
    Aug 22, 2023
    Provides a large amount of written information which can be overwhelming.
    Aug 01, 2023
    Great physician but there was so much. He breezed over during the appointment and then he said he was going to send me email with handouts. I was not clear if what he talked about would be in the handouts to review. It was hard to take away information from that appointment excuse he went over so much so quickly.
    Jul 27, 2023
    Dr Abrams IS Integrative mmedicine!A blessing to all In every way
    May 04, 2023
    Dr Abrams is a very caring person!
    Feb 24, 2023
    Gave me some good tips.
    Dec 21, 2022
    Dr Abrams was extremely giving of Information and details to help me with my radiation treatment.
    Dec 15, 2022
    Wouldn't necessarily recommend as the Dr Is semi retired and takes many months to nearly a year to get an appointment
    Nov 16, 2022
    I've recommended and have referenced Dr. Abrams to many of my friends and family.
    Sep 28, 2022
    Very good
    May 19, 2022
    I waited 3 mos to see Dr Abrams - very good doctor with a wealth if good data to share
    Mar 31, 2022
    He provided great information but would like to also talk about how to incorporate into everyday life
    Feb 01, 2022
    Would love to have talked more about nutrition- perhaps that's an old subject ? He felt I was doing ok - more what I need To stay healthy - he's just guessing right now . Did know of the latest on building immunities to supplements so changed up my regime there ! That was good . Suggested a book he now uses and I got that ! I think I'm looking for more of a work up of me and what my body needs to stay healthy and then doing that . He barely scratches the surface of my personal needs as he only believes in the vit D blood test . Is that enough ? He's the expert ! Perhaps it is enough but others are doing much more that are integrated so they can "customize" a plan . I don't have that custom plan - I am being treated like all the rest . Standard of treatment
    Jan 18, 2022
    Supportive helpful information.
    Jan 14, 2022
    Dr. Abrams is a wealth of information
    Jan 12, 2022
    Although I have been managing my prostate cancer for 10 years interacting with numerous urologists and oncologists this was my first appointment with Dr. Abrams. My appointment with him was a pleasure: he was compassionate knowledgeable and informative. I look forward to working with him.

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