Nita Ahuja, MD, MBA, FACS
William H. Carmalt Professor of SurgeryCards
Additional Titles
Chair, Surgery
Associate Cancer Center Director, Surgical Services
Administrative Support
Publications Overview
- 278 Publications
- 19,780 Citations
- 32 Yale Co-Authors
Additional Titles
Chair, Surgery
Associate Cancer Center Director, Surgical Services
Administrative Support
Publications Overview
- 278 Publications
- 19,780 Citations
- 32 Yale Co-Authors
Additional Titles
Chair, Surgery
Associate Cancer Center Director, Surgical Services
Administrative Support
Publications Overview
- 278 Publications
- 19,780 Citations
- 32 Yale Co-Authors
About
The Yale Department of Surgery is committed to improving patient outcomes through advances in the field of precision medicine and exceptional training for the next generation of leaders.
Titles
William H. Carmalt Professor of Surgery
Chair, Surgery; Associate Cancer Center Director, Surgical Services
Biography
Nita Ahuja, MD, MBA, is the chair of the Department of Surgery at Yale School of Medicine and chief of surgery at Yale New Haven Hospital, effective February 1, 2018. Watch a video with Dr. Nita Ahuja>>
Dr. Ahuja obtained her medical education at the Duke University School of Medicine and her training in general surgery at Johns Hopkins. She completed a fellowship in surgical oncology at Johns Hopkins focused on hepatobiliary malignancies and joined the faculty in 2003.
Dr Ahuja's surgical specialization is in management of sarcomas and complex gastrointestinal cancers, including gastric, rectal, and pancreatic cancers. She has developed an international reputation for management of peritoneal cancer metastases with cytoreduction and heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy, which attracts patients from around the world. She is a strong advocate for working with various disciplines to deliver caring and cutting edge treatment to her patients and is honored as a top doctor by multiple organizations. Prior to coming to Yale as chair of surgery, she was the director of sarcoma program and gastric cancer program.
Dr. Ahuja is also a passionate advocate of clinician scientist and has run a laboratory focused on developing new knowledge to improve cancer outcomes. Her NIH funded laboratory has been focused on identifying new biomarkers for pancreas and colon cancers using liquid biopsies and stool DNA. She has also led over twenty national and international clinical trials on testing new therapies in gastrointestinal and breast cancers based on concepts identified in her laboratory.
She is a national and international surgical leader and surgeon scientist who serves on multiple editorial boards and in national leadership positions including as an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine, member of the American Surgical Association, New England Surgical Society, Southern Surgical Association and on the Association of American Medical Colleges Council of Faculty and Academic Societies Administrative Board. She has published over 300 papers and book chapters contributing to both the surgical and basic science fields. Her many awards and honors include the William J. Reinhoff, Jr. Scholar Award, the American Surgical Association Fellowship, the Society of Surgical Oncology Clinical Investigator Award, and the Abell Foundation Award: Johns Hopkins Alliance for Science and Technology Development.
Appointments
Surgical Oncology
Professor AdjunctPrimaryPathology
ProfessorSecondary
Other Departments & Organizations
- Ahuja Lab
- Center for Gastrointestinal Cancers
- Genomics, Genetics, and Epigenetics
- Hepatic Arterial Infusion (HAI) Program
- Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) Program
- Molecular Medicine, Pharmacology, and Physiology
- Oligometastatic Cancer Program
- Pathology
- Pathology Research
- Program in Translational Biomedicine (PTB)
- Surgery
- Surgical Oncology
- Yale Cancer Center
- Yale Combined Program in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS)
Education & Training
- MBA
- Johns Hopkins University (2016)
- Surgical Oncology Fellowship
- Johns Hopkins University (2003)
- Residency in General Surgery
- Johns Hopkins University (2002)
- Registrar: Surgical Oncology and Colorectal Service
- John Radcliffe Hospital (2001)
- Internship in General Surgery
- Johns Hopkins University (1994)
- MD
- Duke University School of Medicine (1993)
- BS
- University of Maryland, Biology (1989)
- BS
- University of Maryland, Mathematics (1989)
Research
Overview
Medical Research Interests
ORCID
0000-0001-8293-1893Ahuja Lab
Pioneering epigenetic advancements for cancer research and detection.
View Lab Website
Research at a Glance
Yale Co-Authors
Publications Timeline
Research Interests
John Kunstman, MD, MHS, FACS
Eric B Schneider, PhD
Sajid A Khan, MD, FACS, FSSO
James Farrell
Anup Sharma, PhD
Alyssa Ann Grimshaw, MBA, MLIS, MPH
Colorectal Neoplasms
Pancreatic Neoplasms
Gastrointestinal Diseases
Publications
2025
Quality of gastrointestinal surgical oncology care according to insurance status
Butensky S, Kerekes D, Bakkila B, Billingsley K, Ahuja N, Johnson C, Khan S. Quality of gastrointestinal surgical oncology care according to insurance status. Journal Of Gastrointestinal Surgery 2025, 29: 101961. PMID: 39800081, DOI: 10.1016/j.gassur.2025.101961.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsMedicare-insured patientsNational Cancer DatabaseAdequate lymphadenectomyNegative marginsCancer DatabaseRetrospective study of adult patientsStudy of adult patientsSurvival analysisInsurance statusReceipt of lymphadenectomyCurative-intent resectionGastrointestinal (GI) cancersIncreased risk of deathMultivariate survival analysisAdequacy of lymphadenectomyCox proportional hazards modelsRisk of deathProportional hazards modelResection marginsSurgical oncology careAdjuvant therapyRetrospective studyAdult patientsBiliary organismsLymphadenectomy
2024
Translation of Epigenetics in Cell-Free DNA Liquid Biopsy Technology and Precision Oncology
Tan W, Nagabhyrava S, Ang-Olson O, Das P, Ladel L, Sailo B, He L, Sharma A, Ahuja N. Translation of Epigenetics in Cell-Free DNA Liquid Biopsy Technology and Precision Oncology. Current Issues In Molecular Biology 2024, 46: 6533-6565. PMID: 39057032, PMCID: PMC11276574, DOI: 10.3390/cimb46070390.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricConceptsCell-free DNA liquid biopsyCell-free DNALiquid biopsy technologiesLiquid biopsyBiopsy technologyEarly cancer detectionClinical applicationCfDNA-based liquid biopsyMonitoring residual diseaseEarly detection testsCancer detectionPotential of epigeneticsPersonalized cancer treatmentImprove cancer outcomesTissue of originFragmentation pattern analysisResidual diseaseDNA methylationMulti-cancer early detection testTreatment responseBiopsyCancer outcomesCancer preventionEpigeneticsPrecision oncologyNeoadjuvant Cisplatin, Gemcitabine, and Docetaxel in Sarcomatoid Bladder Cancer: Clinical Activity and Whole Transcriptome Analysis
Johnson B, Teply B, Kagemann C, McGuire B, Lombardo K, Jing Y, Langbo W, Epstein J, Netto G, Baras A, Matoso A, McConkey D, Gupta A, Ahuja N, Ross A, Pierorazio P, Comperat E, Hoffman-Censits J, Singla N, Patel S, Kates M, Choi W, Bivalacqua T, Hahn N. Neoadjuvant Cisplatin, Gemcitabine, and Docetaxel in Sarcomatoid Bladder Cancer: Clinical Activity and Whole Transcriptome Analysis. Bladder Cancer 2024, 10: 133-143. PMID: 39131872, PMCID: PMC11308648, DOI: 10.3233/blc-240008.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsConceptsExpression of immune checkpointsClinical activityNeoadjuvant cisplatinImmune checkpointsT cellsIncreased expression of immune checkpointsTranscriptome RNA sequencingMuscle-invasive patientsPegfilgrastim 6 mgAggressive histologic subtypePathological complete responseUrothelial bladder cancerT cell genesBasal-squamousYpCR rateNeoadjuvant therapyComplete responseHistological subtypesSingle-institutionUrothelial cancerPrimary endpointUrothelial tumorsTumor biologyBladder cancerGrade 3Prolonged length of stay and omission of adjuvant therapy are associated with early mortality after pancreatic adenocarcinoma resection
Ying L, Ilagan-Ying Y, Kunstman J, Peters N, Almeida M, Blackburn H, Ferrucci L, Billingsley K, Khan S, Chhoda A, John N, Salem R, Sharma A, Ahuja N. Prolonged length of stay and omission of adjuvant therapy are associated with early mortality after pancreatic adenocarcinoma resection. Surgical Oncology Insight 2024, 1: 100007. DOI: 10.1016/j.soi.2024.100007.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsFactors associated with early mortalityCases of pancreatic adenocarcinomaPancreatic adenocarcinoma resectionRisk of early mortalityLength of stayEarly mortalityAdjuvant chemotherapyPancreatic adenocarcinomaChemotherapy utilizationAdenocarcinoma resectionRisk factors associated with early mortalityOmission of adjuvant therapyNon-metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinomaMultivariate Cox regression modelAssociated with early mortalityPost-resection survivalIncreased risk of early mortalityParticipant Use FileProlonged hospital stayProlonged length of stayAdjuvant chemotherapy utilizationDecrease perioperative complicationsCox regression modelsNon-academic centersHospital risk factorsA phase II study of guadecitabine combined with irinotecan vs regorafenib or TAS‐102 in irinotecan‐refractory metastatic colorectal cancer patients
Lee V, Parkinson R, Zahurak M, Cope L, Cercek A, Verheul H, Gootjes E, Lenz H, Iqbal S, Jones P, Baylin S, Rami V, Ahuja N, Khoueiry A, Azad N. A phase II study of guadecitabine combined with irinotecan vs regorafenib or TAS‐102 in irinotecan‐refractory metastatic colorectal cancer patients. International Journal Of Cancer 2024, 154: 1794-1801. PMID: 38312102, DOI: 10.1002/ijc.34845.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricConceptsRefractory to irinotecanArm ATAS-102DNA methyltransferase inhibitorArm BRates of progression free survivalB. Median overall survivalEvidence of target modulationMetastatic colorectal cancer patientsResistant to systemic therapyTreatment related adverse eventsProgression free survivalPhase II studyPhase II trialKaplan-Meier ratesRelated adverse eventsColorectal cancer patientsFree survivalOverall survivalSystemic therapyAdverse eventsIrinotecanRegorafenibCancer patientsGuadecitabine
2023
Role of colectomy in the management of appendiceal tumors: a retrospective cohort study
Marks V, Kerekes D, Butensky S, Ahuja N, Johnson C, Turaga K, Khan S. Role of colectomy in the management of appendiceal tumors: a retrospective cohort study. BMC Gastroenterology 2023, 23: 398. PMID: 37978348, PMCID: PMC10655451, DOI: 10.1186/s12876-023-03019-4.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsGoblet cell adenocarcinomaNon-mucinous adenocarcinomaRight hemicolectomyStage 2 diseaseNeuroendocrine neoplasmsTumor typesAppendiceal tumorsMucinous adenocarcinomaAppendiceal goblet cell adenocarcinomaRole of colectomyNational Cancer DatabasePostoperative hospital stayRetrospective cohort studyRisk-adjusted analysisRange of histologiesDifferent tumor typesConclusionsMost patientsHospital stayUnplanned readmissionCohort studySurgical treatmentHistologic typeSurgical outcomesCell adenocarcinomaCancer DatabaseThe Promise of Epigenetics Research in the Treatment of Appendiceal Neoplasms
Ladel L, Tan W, Jeyakanthan T, Sailo B, Sharma A, Ahuja N. The Promise of Epigenetics Research in the Treatment of Appendiceal Neoplasms. Cells 2023, 12: 1962. PMID: 37566041, PMCID: PMC10417136, DOI: 10.3390/cells12151962.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricImpact of COVID-19 on the gastrointestinal surgical oncology patient population
Bakkila B, Marks V, Kerekes D, Kunstman J, Salem R, Billingsley K, Ahuja N, Laurans M, Olino K, Khan S. Impact of COVID-19 on the gastrointestinal surgical oncology patient population. Heliyon 2023, 9: e18459. PMID: 37534012, PMCID: PMC10391949, DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18459.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsConceptsGI cancer surgeryPreoperative chemotherapyCancer surgerySurgical careCOVID-19 pandemicCOVID-19Tertiary referral centerOncology patient populationFirst COVID-19 waveGI cancer casesCOVID-19 burdenHigh COVID-19 burdenEmergency surgeryReferral centerCOVID-19 waveOncology visitsGastrointestinal cancerGI cancersPatient populationStudy criteriaCancer careTreatment characteristicsCancer casesCase volumePatients76 ROLE OF COLECTOMY FOR APPENDICEAL TUMORS
Marks V, Kerekes D, Ahuja N, Turaga K, Khan S. 76 ROLE OF COLECTOMY FOR APPENDICEAL TUMORS. Gastroenterology 2023, 164: s-1442. DOI: 10.1016/s0016-5085(23)04363-9.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchTu1001 ASSESSMENT IN TIME TO TREATMENT INITIATION AND SURVIVAL IN COLORECTAL CANCER FROM 2004-2017: ANALYSIS OF THE NATIONAL CANCER DATABASE
Khatri R, Sharma A, John N, Ahuja N, Ehrlich A, Friedenberg F. Tu1001 ASSESSMENT IN TIME TO TREATMENT INITIATION AND SURVIVAL IN COLORECTAL CANCER FROM 2004-2017: ANALYSIS OF THE NATIONAL CANCER DATABASE. Gastroenterology 2023, 164: s-956. DOI: 10.1016/s0016-5085(23)03212-2.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
Academic Achievements & Community Involvement
Honors
honor Abell Foundation Award: Johns Hopkins Alliance for Science and Technology Development
01/01/2014National AwardDetailsUnited Stateshonor Society of Surgical Oncology Clinical Investigator Award
01/01/2009National AwardDetailsUnited Stateshonor William J. Reinhoff, Jr. Scholar Award
01/01/2005Regional AwardDetailsUnited Stateshonor American Surgical Association Foundation Fellowship Award
01/01/2005National AwardDetailsUnited States
News & Links
News
- May 01, 2025
New Research Presented from Yale Cancer Center at #AACR25
- April 21, 2025
Yale Cancer Center Research Breakthroughs Unveiled at AACR Annual Meeting
- April 01, 2025
Yale Research Presented at 2025 Society of Surgical Oncology Annual Meeting
- April 01, 2025Source: Hartford Courant
CT hospital launches supermicrosurgery care. Think of it using ‘smallest instruments on the planet’
Related Links