Joseph Thomas Rabban III, MD, MPH

My primary clinical specialty is diagnostic gynecologic surgical pathology, encompassing biopsies and surgical resections of both benign and malignant diseases of the ovary, fallopian tubes, uterus, peritoneum, vagina, vulva, as well as gestational trophoblastic disease. My main patient population consists of women who are seeking care at the UCSF Gynecologic Oncology division, OB/Gyn division, and Center for Reproductive Health. As a member of the UCSF Multidisciplinary Gynecologic Oncology Tumor Board, I work closely with surgeons, oncologists, and radiation oncologists to provide multidisciplinary recommendations for patient care. As a member of the UCSF Cancer Risk Program, I work closely with genetic counselors and gynecologic oncologists to provide multidisciplinary recommendations for assessing risk for hereditary basis of disease in women with gynecologic pathology. In addition I provide diagnostic consultation services to pathologists at institutions other than UCSF who request a second opinion on a gynecologic surgical pathology specimen. My secondary clinical specialty is diagnostic breast surgical pathology.

My clinical research focuses on differential diagnostic criteria and tumor classification in gynecologic disease, as well as pathologic phenotype-genotype correlation of inherited gynecologic cancers, particularly those associated with BRCA and Lynch syndromes. I enjoy mentoring fellows, residents, and medical students interested in research and am always enthusiastic to meet with any fellow, resident or medical student who would like to discuss getting involved in a project together.

My teaching emphasis is diagnostic gynecologic surgical pathology at the level of continuing medical education for practicing pathologists at national and international courses.

I direct the UCSF Fellowship in Gynecologic Surgical Pathology.

I serve on the Board of Directors of the International Society of Gynecological Pathologists and am the Co-Chair of the educational committee.  I am an associate editor of the International Journal of Gynecological Pathology and an editor of the 5th edition World Health Classification System of Tumors of the Female Genital Tract.  I also serve on the educational committee of the International Gynecological Cancer Society.