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

Through direct patient care, research and collaboration, I strive to be the best physician I can be for patients with urologic cancers.

Conditions I specialize in

  • Urologic cancer

Where I see patients (2)

    My reviews

    4.9

    Overall Experience
    618 Ratings
    About our process
    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
    UCSF has to be the best hospital there is.
    Jun 28, 2023
    My doctor is absolutely wonderful
    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
    All the staff that I incounterd were a delight. I did not expect how well all the staff treated each other and me.
    May 31, 2023
    Dr Porten was extremely thorough honest and professional.
    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 has been excellent since my first encounter and she continues in my last visit
    Apr 20, 2023
    Dr. Porten is exceptional top drawer fantastic etc--You (and I) are lucky to have her!!!
    Apr 12, 2023
    Dr. Sima very good
    Apr 11, 2023
    Dr.Porten is the absolute bestfeel 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
    Compassionate and caring even when delivering difficult news
    Mar 30, 2023
    Dr Porten is very responsive and informative and her bedside manner is excellent
    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
    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 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 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. Porten 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
    Dr. Porten is FANTASTIC!
    Mar 07, 2023
    Full explnation of ongoing procedures
    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
    Was very impressed by the breadth of Dr. Porten expertise
    Feb 22, 2023
    Best doctors
    Feb 22, 2023
    Dr Porten is THE BEST
    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 WONDERFUL & EXTREMELY CARING
    Feb 09, 2023
    Dr. Porten is the best very kind knowledgeable empathetic understanding her assistant nurse was also great
    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
    Dec 06, 2022
    Sima's the best!
    Nov 29, 2022
    Excellent Doctor in all aspects of our conversation about my illness.
    Nov 29, 2022
    Very good
    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.
    Oct 03, 2022
    Dr. Porten did an excellent job of explaining my upcoming procedure.
    Sep 29, 2022
    Dr Porten answered all of our questions. She is extremely knowledgeable and was also very friendly. She Is an excellent communicator. We would not hesitate to see her again If needed.
    Sep 28, 2022
    Dr. Sima Porten is the best urologic oncologist/surgeon on the planet!
    Sep 27, 2022
    Dr. Porten is amazing
    Sep 22, 2022
    Very very pleased with the knowledge skill and experience of Dr Porten
    Sep 21, 2022
    Dr. Porten and her staff are very understanding and professional. Definitely would recommend Dr. Porten.
    Sep 20, 2022
    Kind very informative and shows compassion and understanding.
    Sep 01, 2022
    She's great.
    Aug 25, 2022
    Dr sima and all very good and kind
    Aug 24, 2022
    Dr Porten is a great asset to UCSF.
    Aug 10, 2022
    Professional courteous attentive responsive and pleasant.
    Aug 09, 2022
    Dr Porten is very thorough and genuinely compassionate and our results were absolutely fenomial it was a happy day
    Aug 04, 2022
    Dr Porten is an excellent doctor and a wonderful human being. In addition to her professional skill Her kindness is much appreciated.
    Aug 04, 2022
    Dr Sima Porten is so caring so polite and a joy to tak with ?
    Aug 02, 2022
    Doctor and nurses always upbeat and concerned. Answers my questions.
    Jul 21, 2022
    The Best!
    Jul 19, 2022
    Very professional and put me at ease immediately. I thank her for that.
    Jul 18, 2022
    So very happy with switching care providers to UCSF and Dr Porten
    Jul 17, 2022
    The doctor was outstanding. As a new patient I was surprise by poor operation of the required navigator system.
    Jul 13, 2022
    Dr Porten was excellent!
    Jul 13, 2022
    She was smart witty personable and managed to find the ideal balance between her professional role (highly specialized skills and knowledge) and being relaxed human-centered and personable.
    Jul 12, 2022
    I feel very lucky to have her available for my care
    Jul 06, 2022
    Very comfortable informed during visit.
    Jun 10, 2022
    I always receive an AVS as soon as I leave the office instructing me about how to care for myself after the procedure which is very clear and thorough.
    Jun 08, 2022
    Just good experiences. Grateful beyond words.
    Jun 08, 2022
    Warm knowledgeable provider.
    May 26, 2022
    Dr. Porten was excellent. She patiently and thoroughly answered all my questions.
    May 13, 2022
    I have been seeing Dr. Porten for almost 5 years now. Very kind and always puts me at ease.
    May 03, 2022
    Dr. Porten is terrific.
    Apr 28, 2022
    Would have appreciated more time or a followup visit.
    Apr 27, 2022
    Dr. Porten is the absolute best.
    Apr 26, 2022
    Dr Porten showed me the images as she explained the problem and clearly explained the options and her recommendations. She made the whole experience very reassuring and positive.
    Apr 21, 2022
    She was so level-headed and considerate and she followed through with discussing my case with my urologist. She removed my sense of dread. Thank you.
    Apr 14, 2022
    Direct to the point no time wasted
    Apr 09, 2022
    I liked Dr. Porten very much - clear communicator empathetic and clear.
    Apr 04, 2022
    Dr. Porten has been an outstanding physician & caregiver in my treatment. Her competence & and genuine caring has been a big reason for my getting through treatment in one piece!
    Mar 30, 2022
    Dr. Porten is an Angel.
    Mar 29, 2022
    Great. Very concerned about my illness.
    Jan 22, 2022
    I am very impressed with her knowledge and professionalism in the procedure
    Jan 11, 2022
    Each visit I feel like I am not getting the full answer from the doctor on pertinent questions. I get what seems to be answers that just barely answer the questions. I leave feeling like there's more to know to fully understand my health concerns.
    Dec 16, 2021
    Dr. Porten and her team are SO courteous efficient expert and professional. I always feel well taken care of when I come to UCSF for my cystoscopies every three months.
    Dec 15, 2021
    Dr P is absolutely terrific. She is what every Dr or provider should be. Thorough prepared caring and personable.
    Dec 09, 2021
    She was very effective in seeking and providing information.
    Dec 07, 2021
    Dr Porten is an exceptional oncologist and surgeon. She is also an exceptional person. Her warmth and compassion are not expected but are much appreciated.
    Dec 05, 2021
    This provider was very caring and well informed of my condition.
    Nov 20, 2021
    Dr. Porten is the absolute best surgeon superb in every way and I feel very fortunate to have her as my urologist.
    Nov 11, 2021
    As usual excellent care from the whole team
    Oct 26, 2021
    Dr. Porten makes me feel that I am in good hands & I find that to be very important. So happy she is my doctor for this illness.
    Oct 21, 2021
    Top Notch.
    Oct 04, 2021
    She was great!
    Sep 21, 2021
    Dr. Porten's entire team was respectful loving and positive.
    Sep 14, 2021
    I hope that I never have to refer any of my acquaintances to an Oncologist. but if I did and this specialty was needed I would.

    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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