M.D.
Surgical Oncologist; Medical Director of Peritoneal Surface Malignancy Program
The challenge of sitting with each patient and creating a tailored treatment plan demands values I appreciate the most about surgical oncology: compassion, precision, patience, a collaborative team approach and lasting patient-physician relationships.
New York Medical College – Valhalla, NY
General Surgery – University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT
Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship – MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston,AX
General Complex Surgical Oncology – City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA
Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Surgery
General Surgery – American Board of Surgery
General Complex Surgical Oncology – American Board of Surgery
David Luyimbazi, MD, is an experienced surgical oncologist with expertise in both conventional and minimally invasive procedures. at City of Hope® Cancer Center Phoenix, Dr. Luyimbazi treats a wide range of cancer types, with a particular focus on gastrointestinal and gynecologic cancers that have spread to the abdominal wall cancers, skin cancers, soft tissue tumors and liver and pancreatic cancers.
Dr. Luyimbazi's approach to cancer care includes collaborating closely with colleagues across multiple specialties to craft a personalized treatment plan for every patient.
“The fundamental role of an oncologist is to shepherd each patient through the process of diagnosis, then to the right treatment and, finally, an acceptable outcome,” he says. “This pathway often ends up being unique to the patient and their values.”
In his clinical work, Dr. Luyimbazi brings extensive expertise in both complex open surgeries, minimally invasive and robotic-assisted procedures for liver, pancreas and biliary tumors and innovative surgical treatments that use intraoperative chemotherapy (or HIPEC).
“Our overall goal remains a sustained chance at a cure. If that is not possible, then we pursue the opportunity to control the disease while providing the patient with an acceptable quality of life for as long as possible,” Dr. Luyimbazi says.
He also works closely with the City of Hope Phoenix team to expand access to breakthrough therapies for patients across the Southwest.
Dr. Luyimbazi earned his medical degree at New York College of Medicine in Valhalla, New York, then went on to complete an internship and residency in general surgery at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine in Farmington. He completed his training with a postdoctoral research fellowship at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, followed by a complex surgical oncology fellowship at City of Hope National Medical Center in Duarte, California.
A physician-scientist committed to serving the medical community, Dr. Luyimbazi has multiple publications to his name and has presented on his research across the United States. He's a member of the Society of Surgical Oncology, the American College of Surgeons and the International Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association, in addition to other professional organizations, and has served as a representative for the American College of Surgeons on the Commission on Cancer. He's also been recognized with multiple honors and awards, including the Monroe Himelstein, M.D., Memorial Award and inclusion on Virginia Business magazine’s list of the state’s top doctors in surgical oncology. In addition to his clinical work at City of Hope Phoenix, Dr. Luyimbazi serves on the clinical faculty within the Department of Surgery at Creighton School of Medicine in Phoenix.
An avid runner and hiker, Dr. Luyimbazi enjoys pursuing these passions in his new home of Arizona.