HealthGrades Recognized Doctors are board certified in the specialty they practice; have never had their license restricted or
revoked; are free of state or federal disciplinary actions; and are free of any malpractice claims.
Professional Interests:
Breast Cancer
Patient / Medical Philosophy
I am a surgical oncologist with a practice dedicated to the treatment of breast cancer. My research interests include exploring diagnostic and treatment options for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), in which cancer cells are confined within the ducts of the breast and not in the surrounding fatty breast tissue. In women with DCIS, I have recently studied the relationship between age and cancer recurrence rates, and the incidence and clinical significance of positive sentinel lymph nodes (see my publications).
We are also investigating the utility of breast MRI in patients with occult breast cancer and with DCIS.
My colleagues and I are evaluating patients' quality of life after breast surgery. In a prospective study over several years, we are comparing sensory changes that occur after sentinel-node biopsy to those that occur after conventional surgery to remove underarm lymph nodes. A study of lymphedema (arm swelling) after axillary surgery is also ongoing.
I have developed a nomogram (model) to predict the likelihood of additional lymph node metastases in breast-cancer patients with metastasis in a sentinel node. This helps patients and clinicians in decision making regarding axillary dissection.
Experience / Training
Specialty:
General Surgery
(HealthGrades has verified that Dr. Kimberly J. Van Zee, MD is board certified by the American Board of Surgery)
HealthGrades has examined disciplinary actions within the last five years from the Office of Inspector General and 50 state medical boards.
HealthGrades could not detect any disciplinary actions for Dr. Kimberly J. Van Zee, MD
as of 07/10/2009. Note: HealthGrades reports on state and federal disciplinary actions (if any) from the previous five years.
Malpractice History
HealthGrades did not find any closed malpractice claims for
Dr. Kimberly J.
Van Zee, MD
in the states of California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, North Dakota, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, or West Virginia.
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Note: HealthGrades obtains physician information from a variety of sources. Some information that is not designated as HealthGrades verified has been reported by the physician.