Sima Porten

MD MPH

Urologic cancer surgeon
Mom, bladder and kidney cancer researcher, dance lover

Dr. Sima Porten is a specialist in cancers of the genital and urinary organs. She is a member of the urologic oncology team at the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center. Her clinical interests include the diagnosis and treatment of genitourinary cancer, particularly bladder cancer, upper tract urothelial cancer, kidney cancer and high-risk prostate cancer.

Porten's research focuses mainly on the diagnosis and management of urothelial carcinoma, a cancer involving parts of the kidney, bladder and ureter (the tube connecting each kidney to the bladder). In studying the biologic or genetic basis of urothelial carcinoma, she hopes to develop new tests and treatments to bring personalized medicine to patients with bladder cancer.

Porten received her undergraduate, medical and master of public health degrees from Northwestern University. During medical school, she was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society and also completed a fellowship through the Howard Hughes Medical Institute–National Institutes of Health Research Scholars Program. She then completed her urology residency training at UCSF, where she received the Julius R. Krevans Award for Clinical Excellence. During her training in urologic oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, she was awarded a John Quale Travel Fellowship for her research in bladder cancer.

Porten is an active member of the American Urological Association, American Society of Clinical Oncology, Society of Women in Urology and Society of Urologic Oncology.

  • Education

    Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 2006

  • Fellowships

    University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Urologic Oncology, 2014

  • Board Certifications

    Urology, American Board of Urology

  • Academic Title

    Associate Professor

"People are incredibly resilient and can make it through almost anything you put in front of them."

Meet Dr. Porten

Conditions I specialize in

  • Urologic cancer

Where I see patients (3)

    My reviews

    4.9

    Overall Experience
    663 Ratings
    About our process
    Jun 28, 2024
    Dr. Porten is quite impressive.
    Jun 28, 2024
    Dr. Porten has our utmost respect and trust her completelythe best!
    Jun 20, 2024
    Very good
    Jun 19, 2024
    You could not hope to be treated better at a 5 star hotel!
    Jun 12, 2024
    Good
    Jun 09, 2024
    Dr. Porten shared information regarding care options that I was unaware of which gave me encouragement and a more positive outlook of my prognosis.
    Jun 05, 2024
    Best explanation of what is to come.
    May 24, 2024
    Dr. Porten is a superb doctor in all respects.
    May 19, 2024
    She not only made me feel that my needs were met, but she included my caregiver(wife) in our life changing decisions as an equal.
    Apr 26, 2024
    Dr Porten is very knowledgeable and compassionate
    Apr 24, 2024
    Excellent
    Apr 24, 2024
    Simi Porten is a great doctor/surgeon and a kind and thoughtful person. UCSF could use more like her.
    Apr 23, 2024
    I love Dr. Porten,
    Apr 12, 2024
    Dr. Porten is excellent
    Apr 11, 2024
    Dr. Porten is absolutely the best!!!
    Apr 08, 2024
    I mentioned this on my last survey but worth mentioning again. My last urologist, literally 10 minutes away from my home versus the professionalism and patient care are extreme. I don't mind driving 2 hours, one way, for excellent service and quality care
    Apr 06, 2024
    All kind and professional. Easy in and out time.
    Mar 30, 2024
    I have all the confidence in Dr Porten
    Mar 27, 2024
    This may be overstating the obvious, but it's reassuring for the patient when it's clear that the physician has read the chart BEFORE seeing the patient. Grateful that Dr Porten does!
    Mar 27, 2024
    Dr. Sima Porten is an exceptional doctor. Shows great concern & listens to my concerns & is totally there for me. I feel blessed to be her patient.
    Mar 18, 2024
    UCSF provided excellent care.
    Mar 16, 2024
    Had a great experience.
    Mar 06, 2024
    Dr Porten is excellent and I'm very happy she is my doctor
    Mar 06, 2024
    Dr. Porten was very thorough and pleasant to deal with. It was my first contact with Dr. Porten and I was more than satisfied.
    Mar 06, 2024
    Dr. Porten is excellent
    Jan 05, 2024
    Dr,P has a good sense of humor,
    Jan 03, 2024
    Excellent experience with this physician
    Dec 28, 2023
    For me it is an excellent service and attention, all very vien.
    Dec 13, 2023
    Dr. Porten is clear and understanding, and she inspires a lot of confidence.
    Dec 13, 2023
    Excellent
    Dec 08, 2023
    From day one, I've been so impressed with my doctor and the assistants!!! I'm forever indebted to my doctor.
    Dec 06, 2023
    Dr Porten my care provider is excellent in every way. Feel blessed to have her as my physician.
    Dec 06, 2023
    Dr. Porten is extremely knowledgeable and we appreciate her fitting us into a hectic schedule to consult with us.
    Nov 15, 2023
    Dr. WIll make referral for other issues discussed.
    Nov 15, 2023
    Very positive attitude about treatment. That's very encouraging. Thank you.
    Nov 15, 2023
    Always a great experience at Mission Bay.
    Nov 09, 2023
    Excellent in every way. Doctor explained results on Cysto monitor and answered all of my questions patiently and clearly.
    Nov 08, 2023
    Dr porten is the friendliest doctor. She is so on top of my condition and very helpfulDr poten is the best
    Oct 26, 2023
    We are now waiting for contact to set first treatment appointment.
    Oct 21, 2023
    Excellent in every respect.
    Oct 18, 2023
    Excellent doctor
    Oct 05, 2023
    Dr. Porten is the best
    Oct 02, 2023
    Very knowledgeable and compassionate doctor. She exceeded my expectations from this consultation by offering me hope and an appropriate treatment option. She is one of the best doctors I worked with for a long time. Highly recommend her for anyone experiencing bladder cancer problems.
    Sep 22, 2023
    Everything was excellent very good attention and are very professional thank you very much for serving me so well
    Sep 22, 2023
    The experience of hearing from Dr. Porten that she doesn't see any signs of my tumor is overwhelming. I'm so glad that she accepted me as her patient.
    Sep 19, 2023
    I am lucky to have this excellent and caring physician.
    Sep 13, 2023
    Dr. Sima Porten and her staff are courteous, caring, and highly skilled.
    Sep 06, 2023
    She was completely prepared, likely brilliant, efficient yet "human", extraordinary.
    Sep 06, 2023
    Dr. Porten is a fantastic doctor.
    Aug 07, 2023
    Dr Porten really listened
    Aug 05, 2023
    Dr. Porten is the best.
    Aug 03, 2023
    I feel very well cared for
    Aug 03, 2023
    She referred me to another UCSF urologist. They are supposed to call me for an appointment but haven't done so yet.
    Aug 02, 2023
    Even though Dr Porten was ver busy. She is so so nice
    Aug 02, 2023
    Very clear communicator and great doctor. Truly the best.
    Aug 01, 2023
    I couldn't have asked for a better experience. And the sincere hug at the end was the most heartwarming thing a doctor has ever done for me. I feel so honored to be under her care. Thank you!
    Jul 28, 2023
    I was with my care provider
    Jul 14, 2023
    All good for me
    Jul 07, 2023
    Very good experience
    Jul 03, 2023
    We feel so fortunate that our family received care from Dr. Porten! She is an amazing doctor and surgeon! She is also a kind, caring person who we felt so lucky to have in our corner.
    Jun 28, 2023
    My doctor is absolutely wonderful
    Jun 28, 2023
    UCSF has to be the best hospital there is.
    Jun 21, 2023
    Dr. Porten proposed Gem/Doc procedure for my 5 cm NMIBC tumor. Her team perfectly executed it and at the end of the cystoscopy with monitor In front of my eyes she told me that there Is no detectable tumors there. To see and to hear it after over 2 years of recurrences at every cystoscopy is fantastic! Dr. Porten is a magician.
    Jun 10, 2023
    Very vien all excellent attention
    May 31, 2023
    Dr Porten was extremely thorough, honest, and professional.
    May 31, 2023
    All the staff that I incounterd were a delight. I did not expect how well all the staff treated each other and me.
    May 30, 2023
    Very good experience.
    May 30, 2023
    Dr. Porten is very professional, caring, empathetic, and a very good listener, and a very cheerful positive person as well,
    May 23, 2023
    Hospitals should clean . Bathroom and procedures room was not clean.
    May 23, 2023
    Dr Porten is good!
    May 21, 2023
    MD Porten and the research MD are among the most professional doctors I've ever met
    May 14, 2023
    My wife, daughter and I are totally impressed with Dr. Porten. She is good humored, clear, down to earth, compassionate, excellent at explaining my bladder cancer and options for treatment. I know she is very highly skilled yet caring.
    May 03, 2023
    Dr. Porten is amazing. She is very proactive in taking care of my treatments.
    Apr 21, 2023
    Excellent attention very good
    Apr 20, 2023
    Dr. Porten is exceptional, top drawer, fantastic, etc,--You (and I) are lucky to have her!!!
    Apr 20, 2023
    Dr Porten has been excellent since my first encounter, and she continues in my last visit
    Apr 12, 2023
    Dr sima very good
    Apr 11, 2023
    Dr.Porten is the absolute best,feel so blessed to have her as my Dr.
    Apr 07, 2023
    I live 100 miles round trip to UCSF and tele health is critical to me for continue with my care. I depend on it because the distance and travel time along with the expense is very difficult on a fixed income. I appreciate you assistance.
    Mar 30, 2023
    Dr Portan is very responsive and informative and her bedside manner is excellent
    Mar 30, 2023
    Compassionate and caring even when delivering difficult news
    Mar 25, 2023
    I interviewed two other urologist surgeons but decided on Dr. Porten partially because of her ability to listen to my fears and put me at ease. I also liked that she was also a professor and was willing to listen to my ideas for long term care of my condition. The other surgeons I interviewed were very rush rush with me.
    Mar 21, 2023
    She is a wonderful, caring and incredibly talented care provider!
    Mar 17, 2023
    Dr. Sima Porten is the absolute BEST
    Mar 17, 2023
    I am very grateful to have Dr Porten as my oncologist. She is extremely smart, professional and very kind (which is not expected in a surgeon). She also takes time to see how I'm doing personally. UCSF needs more doctors like her.
    Mar 17, 2023
    Dr. Porten is truly superb. She is a leader in the field, a highly skilled surgeon, and a very compassionate doctor. I feel very fortunate to have her as my urologist.
    Mar 17, 2023
    Dr. Porten provides outstanding care along with her very capable and courteous team. Would give Dr. Porten 10 out of 5 if we could!!
    Mar 16, 2023
    My dealings with Dr Porten and her team have always been the best. So knowledgeable, respectful and considerate. Timeliness is amazing and communications is great. I feel blessed to get such service.
    Mar 09, 2023
    Dr Porten and her staff were excellent.
    Mar 09, 2023
    Obviously I was impressed with Dr. Portrn and decided to switch my bladder cancer care to her. I did not answer the referral question as I generally do not value this ubiquitous marketing question but in my personal and profession life I make many recommendations and referrals, at least 50% is based on the referee
    Mar 07, 2023
    Full explnation of ongoing procedures
    Mar 07, 2023
    Dr. Porten is FANTASTIC!
    Mar 03, 2023
    Always caring. Gives lots of information. She is fast. I like that.
    Mar 01, 2023
    Dr. Porten is an exceptional physician.She has exemplary knowledge in her field.Dr. Porten is a caring doctor .
    Feb 28, 2023
    Always professional and on time.
    Feb 22, 2023
    Best doctors
    Feb 22, 2023
    Dr Porten is THE BEST
    Feb 22, 2023
    Was very impressed by the breadth of Dr. Porten expertise
    Feb 18, 2023
    Dr. Porten and assistants were great.
    Feb 16, 2023
    I've dealt with two doctors so far and they are absolutely amazing and showed nothing but sincere Patient concern. It's been a fantastic experience so far.
    Feb 09, 2023
    Dr. Porten is the best, very kind, knowledgeable, empathetic, understanding, her assistant nurse was also great
    Feb 09, 2023
    DR. PORTEN IS WONDERFUL & EXTREMELY CARING
    Feb 07, 2023
    Dr. Porten is excellent!
    Feb 01, 2023
    Dr. Porten is such a fantastic person and physician .
    Jan 31, 2023
    Dr. Porten is the best of the best.
    Jan 31, 2023
    Dr Porten rocks!
    Jan 31, 2023
    Dr. Porten was extremely kind, understanding and compassionate. Unfortunately, my issues do not fall within her care provisions, so she offered to refer me to a colleague who is proficient in handling my condition.
    Jan 22, 2023
    Very pleased with Dr Porten's care - and concern
    Jan 12, 2023
    Prompt
    Jan 11, 2023
    Excellent communication skills and very sympathetic to my needs and concerns.
    Jan 10, 2023
    Very good
    Jan 04, 2023
    Dr Porten is the BEST
    Dec 19, 2022
    Very much appreciated the expeditiousness of UCSF
    Dec 15, 2022
    Dr. P is a experienced charming whizz.
    Dec 14, 2022
    Very professional and compassionate
    Dec 09, 2022
    Dr. Porten is one of the most wonderful doctors I've been blessed to have.
    Dec 08, 2022
    Dr Porten was so friendly and very knowledgeable about my problem
    Nov 29, 2022
    Very good
    Nov 29, 2022
    Excellent Doctor in all aspects of our conversation about my illness.
    Nov 24, 2022
    No discussion of decisions, proposed treatments or follow-up, this follows my expectations. I certainly hope that I don't have to recommend an Urologic Oncologist to anyone that I know.
    Nov 22, 2022
    All great.
    Nov 18, 2022
    Dr. Porten is an amazing doctor. She is kind, intelligent, a great communicator and we trust her thoroughly.
    Nov 18, 2022
    Dr Porten is smart, knowledgeable, courteous and caring. I couldn't recommend a specialist any more fully.
    Nov 17, 2022
    Dr. Porten in multi skilled. Very empathetic, human.
    Nov 15, 2022
    Love Dr Porten!
    Nov 01, 2022
    Dr Porten is a brilliant and kind doctor. Truly outstanding!
    Oct 28, 2022
    Wonderful physician, dr. Porten, kind, empathetic, sympathetic, straightforward, skillful, knowledgeable
    Oct 27, 2022
    Dr. Porten was outstanding - she to talk to me first, clearly explained the plan, asked me questions, she was extremely personable and easy to talk to. Truly a wonderful bedside manner, very comforting and compassionate. Can't say enough good things. I do hope I never have to see her again! (meaning no cancer).
    Oct 23, 2022
    Excellent care provider.
    Oct 23, 2022
    Our family feels unbelievably fortunate to have Dr. Porten to guide us through this illness. Her ability to inform us about the illness in a way we understand allows us to make decisions rather than bumble through the unknown. We are so glad to have her on our team!
    Oct 21, 2022
    Excellent
    Oct 18, 2022
    Doctor Porten is a life saver and has been lovely to work with.
    Through direct patient care, research and collaboration, I strive to be the best physician I can be for patients with urologic cancers.

    Selected research

    Decorative Caduceus

    Measuring Surgical Recovery After Radical Cystectomy

    Post-surgical outcomes determined from patient-reported assessment of symptom burden using the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI-BLC form).

    Recruiting

    Decorative Caduceus

    Blue Light Cystoscopy With Cysview® Registry

    Rate of detection of bladder malignancies with Blue Light Cystoscopy with Cysview versus white light cystoscopy alone.

    Recruiting

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