When you get a diagnosis like liver cancer or a rare bile duct tumor, the world sort of stops. Honestly, your first instinct is usually to find the absolute best person in the field—not just a doctor, but a specialist who lives and breathes this specific area of medicine. If you've been looking into gastrointestinal (GI) oncology at UCSF, you’ve likely bumped into the name Dr. Kate D. Kelley.
She isn't just another name on a hospital roster. Dr. Robin Kate Kelley (as she’s officially listed) is a heavy hitter at the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center. She's basically the go-to expert for some of the toughest cases in GI oncology. We’re talking about hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer), and gallbladder carcinoma.
Who exactly is Dr. Kate D. Kelley?
Dr. Kelley is a Professor of Clinical Medicine in the Division of Hematology and Oncology at UCSF. Her pedigree is pretty intense. She started out at Harvard College, then grabbed her MD from the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. She stayed at UCLA for her residency, even serving as Chief Resident, before heading north to UCSF for her fellowship.
She stayed put.
Today, she leads the clinical research program for hepatobiliary cancers at UCSF. People travel from all over the West Coast—and further—to see her because she doesn't just treat the disease; she’s actively trying to invent the next generation of treatments.
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The Research That Changes Things
It's one thing to follow a treatment protocol. It's another to write it. Dr. Kate D. Kelley is deeply involved in clinical trials, especially those looking at immunotherapy.
Traditionally, liver and bile duct cancers were treated with pretty standard chemotherapy. The results were... okay, but not great. Dr. Kelley’s work focuses on how we can use the body’s own immune system to fight these tumors. She’s the Principal Investigator for numerous trials and also heads the UCSF Hepatobiliary Tissue Bank and Registry. This is a massive deal because it allows researchers to look at actual tumor samples to figure out why some people respond to drugs and others don’t.
Her reach goes way beyond San Francisco. She’s a member of the NCCN (National Comprehensive Cancer Network) panel for Liver Cancers. Those are the people who set the guidelines that every other oncologist in the country follows.
What patients actually say
You can have all the awards in the world, but if you're a jerk to your patients, it doesn't matter.
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Patient reviews for Dr. Kelley are almost weirdly consistent. They talk about her being "kind," "thorough," and "easy to talk to." One patient mentioned how she took the time to explain CT scans so they actually understood what was happening in their own body. That's a rare skill.
"She ensured that I understood this situation and explained it to me very well and was able to show me on the CT scans." — Actual Patient Review, 2025.
Another common thread? She might be running late. But patients don't seem to mind because they know she’s giving the person before them the same focused time they're about to get.
Why her focus on Hepatobiliary Cancer matters
Hepatobiliary cancers (liver and bile ducts) are notoriously sneaky. They don't usually show symptoms until they're advanced. This makes treatment complex.
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- Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC): The most common primary liver cancer.
- Cholangiocarcinoma: Rare, aggressive, and often hard to target.
- Gallbladder Cancer: Often found accidentally during other surgeries.
Dr. Kelley works on "translational research." This sounds fancy, but it basically means taking what's learned in a lab and moving it into the clinic as fast as possible. She's looking for molecular and genetic biomarkers. If your tumor has a specific "signature," she wants to find the specific drug that acts like a key for that lock.
Actionable Steps if You’re Seeking Care
If you or a loved one are dealing with a GI cancer diagnosis and want to consult with a specialist like Dr. Kelley, here is how you actually handle it:
- Request a Second Opinion: You don't have to leave your local doctor to see a specialist. Many people visit Dr. Kelley for a one-time second opinion to confirm their treatment plan or to see if they qualify for a clinical trial at UCSF.
- Gather Your Records: Before calling, have your pathology reports, most recent CT or MRI scans, and a list of previous treatments ready. UCSF's intake process is thorough.
- Check Trial Eligibility: If standard treatments aren't working, ask about the immunotherapy trials Dr. Kelley is currently leading. These often provide access to cutting-edge drugs years before they hit the general market.
- Contact Information: Her primary clinical practice is at the UCSF Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology Clinic at 1825 Fourth St. in San Francisco. You can usually reach the office at (415) 353-9888.
Dealing with cancer is exhausting. Finding a physician who sits at the intersection of high-level research and genuine empathy—like Dr. Kelley—is often the first step in feeling a little more in control of a chaotic situation.