About Dr. Kapoor

Nimmi S. Kapoor, MD, is a fellowship-trained, board-certified oncology surgeon specializing in breast cancer.

Dr. Kapoor graduated summa cum laude from UCLA, and then attended the prestigious Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City, graduating with honors in research and as a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. She completed both a general surgery residency and an endocrine cancer research fellowship at New York Presbyterian Hospital-Cornell. During this time, she received advanced Breast Surgical Oncology training as well as Head and Neck training at the world renowned Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Dr. Kapoor also completed a Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship at both John Wayne Cancer Institute and Cedars Sinai Medical Center.

Dr. Kapoor participates in multiple research studies and clinical trials. Her research interests include hereditary genetic testing, intraoperative radiation therapy, nipple-sparing mastectomy, and breast density. She has authored over 25 peer-reviewed manuscripts and book chapters, which include publications in Annals of Surgical Oncology, American Journal of Surgery, and Cancer. Dr. Kapoor has presented her research nationally and has received several awards for her accomplishments from groups such as the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the American Society of Breast Surgeons.

Most importantly, Dr. Kapoor’s training and research have fostered her commitment to providing personalized medicine. She has been named a “Top Doctor” by Los Angeles Magazine every year in practice.

Outside of work, Dr. Kapoor treasures time with her family, and enjoys travel, running, and scuba diving.

“I believe physicians need to provide knowledge, research, skills and compassion to deliver the best possible individualized patient care. I strive to understand each of my patient’s unique life circumstances and goals so that I can be a better partner in their treatment decisions.”

• Breast Cancer
• Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy
• Breast Cancer Risk Assessment and Risk Reduction
• Genetic Testing (BRCA and Other Genes)
• Breast Density Management
• Oncoplastic Surgery
• Lobular Cancer
• Phyllodes Tumors
• Ultrasound-Guided Breast Biopsy
• Nipple Discharge
• Central Duct Excision
• Benign Breast Disease
• Fibroadenoma
• Breast Cancer Surgery / Surgeries
• Breast Disorders
• Breast Pain
• Breast Tumors (Lumps, Masses)
• Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy (SLN)

• Alpha Omega Alpha, Cornell Medical School
• Summa Cum Laude graduation honors, UCLA
• Phi Beta Kappa, Departmental Highest Honors, UCLA
• Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Achievement Award (x2)
• Outstanding Scientific Presentation Award–ASBrS
• Oncology Trainee Travel Award ASCO
• Louis Gibofsky Memorial Prize for Research

• Editorial Board Member, World Journal of Clinical Oncology
• Editorial Board Member, SM Surgery Journal (SMSJ)
• Research Committee Member, American Society of Breast Surgeons (ASBrS)
• Continuing Medical Education subcommittee Member, ASBrS
• SWOG Member

1. Kapoor NS, Banks KC. Should multi-gene panel testing replace limited BRCA1/2 testing?: A review of genetic testing for hereditary breast and ovarian cancers. World J Surg Proc. 2015 In Press.
2. Kapoor NS, Curcio LD, Blakemore C, Bremner A, McFarland R, West JG, Banks KC. Multi-gene panel testing detects equal rates of pathogenic BRCA1/2 mutations and has a higher diagnostic yield compared to limited BRCA1/2 analysis alone in patients at risk for hereditary breast cancer. Ann Surg Onc 2015; 22: 3282-3288.
3. Kapoor NS, Shamonki J, Sim MS, Chung CT, Giuliano AE. Impact of multifocality and lymph node metastasis on the prognosis and management of microinvasive Breast Cancer. Ann Surg Oncol. 2013; 20:2576-81.
4. West JG, Kapoor NS, Liao SY, Chen JW, Bailey L, Nagourney RA. Multifocal breast cancer in young women with prolonged contact between their breasts and their cellular phones. Case Rep Med. 2013;2013:354682. doi: 10.1155/2013/354682
5. Kapoor NS, Eaton A, King TA, Stempel SM, Patil SM, Morris EA, Brogi E, Morrow M. Should breast density influence patient selection for breast conserving surgery? Ann Surg Oncol. 2013; 20:600-6.
6. Kapoor NS, Sim MS, Lin J, Giuliano AE. Long-term Outcome of Patients Managed With Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy Alone for Node-Negative Invasive Breast Cancer. Arch Surg. 2012;147:1047-52.
7. Kapoor NS, Chung A, Huynh K, Giuliano AE. Preliminary Results: Double Lumpectomies for Multicentric Breast Carcinoma. Am Surgeon. 2012. 78:1345-8.
8. Jensen JA, Lin JH, Kapoor NS, Giuliano AE. Surgical delay of the nipple-areolar complex: a powerful technique to maximize nipple viability following nipple-sparing mastectomy. Ann Surg Oncol. 2012 Oct;19(10):3171-6.
9. (Kapoor NS)/Arora N, King TA, Jacks LM, Stempel SM, Patil SM, Morris EA, Morrow M. The impact of density on the presenting features of malignancy. Ann Surg Oncol. 2010; 3:211-218
10. (Kapoor NS)/Arora N, Martins D, Ruggerio D, Tousimis E, Swistel AJ, Osborne MP, Simmons RM. Effectiveness of a noninvasive digital infrared thermal imaging system in the detection of breast cancer. Am J Surg 2008; 196:523-6
11. (Kapoor NS)/Arora N, Martins D, Huston TL, Christos P, Hoda S, Osborne MP, Swistel AJ, Tousimis E, Pressman PI, Simmons RM. Sentinel node positivity rates with and without frozen section for breast cancer. Ann Surg Oncol 2008 15:256-61
12. (Kapoor NS)/Arora N, Hill C, Hoda SA, Rosenblatt R, Pigalarga R, Tousimis EA. Clinicopathologic features of papillary lesions on core needle biopsy of the breast predictive of malignancy. Am J Surg 2007 194: 444-9
13. (Kapoor NS)/Arora N, Simmons RM. Paget disease of the breast. Kuerer’s Breast Surgical Oncology. 2010. 19: 209-214.
14. (Kapoor NS)/Arora N, Simmons RM. Malignant breast disease: diagnosis and assessment. General Surgery: Principles and International Practice. 2nd ed. 2008. 14: 285-292
15. Umoh, EM, (Kapoor NS)/Arora N, Simmons RM. Skin, nipple, and areola-sparing mastectomy. Breast Cancer On-Line. http://www.bco.org. 2008. 11(12)

1. Kapoor NS, Swisher J, McFarland R, et al. Impact of hereditary multigene panel testing for cancer survivors. American Society of Clinical Oncology Cancer Survivorship Symposium – Upcoming Poster January 2016.
2. Kapoor NS, Curcio LD, Patrick M, et al. Multi-gene panel testing and the cancers identified in patients at risk for hereditary breast cancer. San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium— Poster Discussion 2015.
3. Link J, Buck L, Kapoor NS. The breast cancer index as a tool in decision making for adjuvant hormonal therapy in early luminal breast cancer: Initiation, withdrawal, and continuance. San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium—Poster 2015.
4. Kapoor NS, Curcio LD, Blakemore C, et al. Benefits and safety of multi-gene panel testing. American Society of Clinical Oncology Breast Cancer Symposium—Poster 2015.
5. Kapoor NS, Curcio LD, Bremner AK, Banks KC, West JG. Multi-Gene Panel Testing Detects Equal Rates of Pathogenic BRCA1/2 Mutations and has a Higher Diagnostic Yield Compared to Limited BRCA1/2 Analysis Alone in Patients at Risk for Hereditary Breast Cancer. American Society of Breast Surgeons. Oral Presentation 2015
6. Kapoor NS, Shamonki J, Yoon J, Chung C, Giuliano AE. Is there a need for sentinel lymph node biopsy in microinvasive breast cancer? American Society of Clinical Oncology—Poster 2012
7. Kapoor NS, Yoon J, Shamonki J, Giuliano AE. Predictors of variability between primary breast cancers and ipsilateral breast tumor recurrences. Society of Surgical Oncology— Poster 2012
8. Kapoor NS, Yoon J, Giuliano AE. Survival and recurrence patterns of patients with tumor-free sentinel lymph nodes in long-term follow-up. Pacific Coast Surgical Association. Oral Presentation 2012
9. Kapoor NS, Yoon J, Fahey TJ III, Michelassi FM. Fifty years of general surgery training: trends in career choices and satisfaction of graduates from a single academic institution. Academic Surgical Congress. Oral Presentation 2012
10. Kapoor NS, Yoon J, Shamonki J, Giuliano AE. Predictors of variability between primary breast cancers and ipsilateral breast tumor recurrences. American College of Surgeons—Southern California Chapter— Oral presentation 2012
11. Kapoor NS, Chung A, Huynh K, Giuliano AE. Preliminary Results: Double Lumpectomies for Multicentric Breast Carcinoma. American College of Surgeons—Southern California Chapter—Oral presentation 2012
12. Kapoor NS, Eaton A, King TA, et al. Should breast density influence patient selection for breast conserving surgery? American College of Surgeons, NY Chapter—presentation 2011
13. Kapoor NS, Eaton A, King TA, et al. Should breast density influence patient selection for breast conserving surgery? Society of Surgical Oncology—poster 2011
14. (Kapoor NS)/Arora N, King TA, Jacks LM, et al. The impact of breast density on the presenting features of malignancy. American Society of Breast Surgeons— presentation 2010
15. (Kapoor NS)/Arora N, Turbendian HK, Scognamiglio T, et al. Extrathyroidal extension is not all equal: implications of macroscopic vs. microscopic extent in papillary thyroid carcinoma. American Association of Endocrine Surgeons—presentation 2008
16. (Kapoor NS)/Arora N, Effectiveness of a noninvasive digital infrared thermal imaging system in the detection of breast cancer. American Society of Breast Surgeons—poster 2008
17. (Kapoor NS)/Arora N, Scognamiglio T, Zhu B, Fahey TJ III. Molecular Characterization of Pathologically Indeterminate Thyroid Tumors. American College of Surgeons—presentation at Surgical Forum 2007
18. (Kapoor NS)/Arora N, Martins D, Huston TL, et al. Sentinel node positivity rates with and without frozen section for breast cancer. Society of Surgical Oncology—poster 2007
19. (Kapoor NS)/Arora N, Martins D, Christos P, et al. Sentinel node positivity rates with and without frozen section for breast cancer. New York Surgical Society—presentation 2007
20. (Kapoor NS)/Arora N, Bellemare S, Gaglio P, et al. Fate of livers nobody wants. American Transplant Congress – poster 2004

Fellowships

Breast Fellowship, John Wayne Cancer Institute
Research Fellowship, New York Presbyterian Hospital-Cornell

Residency

Breast Surgical Oncology Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
General Surgery New York Presbyterian Hospital—Cornell

Medical School

Weill Cornell Medical College -Graduated with honors in research. -Alpha Omega Alpha

Undergraduate

University of California, Los Angeles (summa cum laude)