Best doctors in Italy: TOP 27 doctors

Professor Massimo Falconi is a gastrointestinal oncologist with over 30 years of experience specializing in pancreatic diseases. He practices at Ospedale San Raffaele in Milan and has led 3,600 surgeries, including distal, total, middle pancreatectomies , pancreatic resections, and enucleations. He is the Director of the Pancreatic Surgery and the Pancreas Translational and Clinical Unit at IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele with international experience in Japan, Spain, Germany, and Sweden. Prof. Falconi has written over 330 articles and taken part in 350+ Italian and 220+ international conferences, and is a member of several organizations.

Doctor Oreste Gentilini is an Italian specialist in breast cancer treatment with over 20 years of experience, providing over 5,000 breast cancer surgeries. He is the head of the Breast Unit in San Raffaele Hospital and the SOUND study at the European Institute of Oncology of Milan. He has authored over 100 papers on breast tumors treatment, with a focus on breast cancer management in young women and pregnant patients. He is a founding member and Vice President of EU-BREAST, and a member of the board of directors of the Italian National Association of Senologists and Surgeons (ANISC).

Dr Braun's primary responsibilities include direct leadership and execution of complex surgeries, including gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, and other advanced metabolic and bariatric procedures. He has developed solid experience in managing the different clinical challenges present in obese patients, providing them with personalized and optimized care to ensure positive long-term outcomes.

His surgical practice is based on an in-depth methodology and a careful look at the latest technological innovations in the field of bariatric surgery. He has actively worked to implement advanced protocols and continually improve operational techniques, while maintaining the highest standards of patient safety and care.

With over 2000 operations performed as a surgeon specializing in oncology, he has developed extensive experience and expertise in laparoscopic and robotic surgery applied to the care of cancer patients.

As a primary operator, he has successfully conducted a wide range of laparoscopic and robotic surgeries for the treatment of oncological conditions, including gastrointestinal, urological, gynecological and other solid tumors. His surgical practice has focused on the application of advanced techniques, using cutting-edge laparoscopic instruments and robotic systems

Professor Pietro Mortini MD is a highly experienced Italian neurosurgeon who specializes in neuro- and radiosurgeries with a focus on minimally invasive spine and brain operations. He is a Visiting Professor at the George Washington University, has a degree in Otorhinolaryngology and Neurosurgery from the University of Milan and University of Verona, and has patented a method of manufacturing a device for regenerating biological tissues. He also provides research in microsurgical therapy of pituitary adenomas and radiosurgery for uveal melanoma and is a member of the Italian Society of the Cranial Base.

Prof. Montorsi is one of the top Italian experts in Urology and Andrology, with numerous scientific awards and 8,000+ urology/andrology surgeries. He directs the Urological Research Institute (URI) in Italy, is recognized among the most influential researchers of the past decade, and has developed his vein patching method to correct occlusive vein dysfunction. He is an Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of England and has written over 1,000 papers. He is a member of various medical organizations.

Prof. Deraco has dedicated his career to helping patients with complex cancers, particularly those affecting the peritoneum, a membrane in the abdomen. He began his medical career in 1989 at the Surgery and Experimental Oncology Departments of the Fondazione IRCCS, National Cancer Institute in Milan, Italy. Over the years, he has played a key role in advancing treatments for peritoneal surface malignancies (PSM). For more than a decade, he was the lead physician for the Peritoneal Surface Malignancies Program. Since 2017, he has served as the director of the Peritoneal Surface Malignancies Unit, where he continues to focus on providing cutting-edge care for his patients.

Prof. Deraco’s expertise is in specialized cancer treatments like Cytoreductive Surgery (CRS), Hyperthermic Intra-Peritoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC), and Pressurized Intra-Peritoneal Aerosolized Chemotherapy (PIPAC). These techniques aim to remove cancer and deliver heated chemotherapy directly to the abdomen, giving patients with PSM new hope. He has successfully treated over 1,200 patients using these advanced methods.

In addition to his clinical work, Prof. Deraco is a professor at Milan University, where he teaches future surgeons about peritoneal surface malignancies. His teaching extends internationally, as he has mentored over 30 postdoctoral fellows from prestigious institutions worldwide.

Prof. Deraco’s educational background is extensive. He earned his medical degree from the University of Messina in 1987 with top honors, followed by a specialization in general surgery five years later. His training continued in Paris, where he specialized in oncology at the prestigious Paris Dauphine University. He further honed his skills through fellowships in world-renowned institutions such as the Gustave Roussy Institute in France, the Royal Marsden Hospital in the UK, and the Washington Cancer Institute in the USA.

Throughout his career, Prof. Deraco has remained actively involved in research and professional organizations. He has published over 250 scientific articles and 25 book chapters, contributing to the advancement of cancer treatment globally. He serves on the board of multiple scientific societies dedicated to cancer research, including the Peritoneal Surface Oncology International Group (PSOGI) and the Italian Society for Loco-Regional Cancer Therapy (SITILO).

Professor Nadia Di Muzio is a Head of the Radiotherapy Department in the San Raffaele Research Hospital in Milan since 2008. She has a degree in general medicine and surgery and specialty in oncological radiotherapy from the University of Milan and has done an internship at the Department of Radiation Oncology in the University of Madison. Professor Di Muzio is an author of 200 studies in radiation oncology research and an advocate of high-precision hypofraction methods in the radical treatment of prostate tumors. She currently holds positions in the Italian Association of Medical Oncology, the Italian Society of Oncological Urology and the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology.

Dr. Giorgia Mangili is the Head of the Medical Gynecological Oncology Group at the San Raffaele Scientific Institute Hospital since 2002. She has a degree in general medicine and specialties in gynecology and obstetrics, oncology, and is an Associate and Professor in obstetrics and gynecology. She focuses her work on gynaecological oncology, rare gynaecological tumours, preservation of fertility in oncology and cancer and pregnancy. She is a member of the European Organisation for Treatment of Trophoblastic Diseases, the European Society of Gynaecological Oncology, and the Italian Society of Gynecologic Oncology.

Associate Professor of Thoracic Surgery with European Board qualifications. Head of mini-invasive thoracic surgery unit, specializing in the treatment of lung and pleural diseases and mediastinal disorders. Member of Italian Society of Thoracic Surgery and Thoracic Endoscopy, as well as author of a monograph and over 200 scientific publications.

Professor Riccardo Rosati is the Head of the Gastrointestinal Surgery (GI) Department at the San Raffaele Research Hospital in Milan, Italy. He is a highly experienced surgeon with over 30 years of experience, having completed medical degrees in general medicine and general surgery, as well as specialization in thoracic surgery. He is a member of multiple surgical associations, and has written over 300 publications. His department treats approximately 2,000 surgical cases per year.

Professor Stefano Boriani is a world-renowned orthopedic surgeon and author of unique surgical staging system of spinal tumors and tumor resection techniques. He has performed over 3,000 surgical procedures, written over 430 research articles, and invented a carbon fiber system for tumor reconstruction. He is also a professor at the Post-Graduate School of Orthopaedics at the University of Bologna, and a honorary member of several spine societies. He is also the founder of a non-profit association in Mozambique which supports medical activities and trains local surgeons.

Prof. Filippini began his career in 1980 and has been teaching at the University of Chieti since the 1990s in the fields of General Surgery, Microsurgery, Reconstructive Surgery, Vascular Surgery, Orthopedics, and Gynecology. His primary focus is oncological surgery, particularly specializing in "The surgical treatment of locally advanced tumors and multi-organ resections." He has enriched his expertise by visiting prominent reference centers in the United States, including the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan, New York City. There, he delved into minimally invasive, laparoscopic, and microsurgical techniques under the guidance of esteemed mentors such as John Daly, Michele Gagner, and Murray Brennan. Additionally, in 2005, he further expanded his skills at the City of Hope Oncology Center in Los Angeles, focusing on robotic surgery in oncology.

In 1980, Prof. Filippini graduated in Medicine and Surgery from the G. D'Annunzio University of Chieti in Italy with honors, presenting an experimental thesis on lympho-venous anastomosis using microsurgical techniques. He completed his specialization in general surgery at the University of Pisa with distinction after five years. In 1990, he obtained another specialization in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery from the University of Padua in Italy, where he maintained a stellar academic record.

Prof. Filippini has presented at numerous national and international conferences and authored over 100 scientific publications. Additionally, he has co-authored two monographs. 

Orthopedist, Oncologist, Specialist in osteosarcoma treatment

Orthopedic Surgeon

Professor Michele Reni is an experienced medical oncologist with over 30 years of practice based in Italy. He specializes in pancreatic adenocarcinoma, gastro-esophageal cancers, and central nervous system tumors. He has published over 180 papers on cancer treatment and is the coordinator of Italian Association of Medical Oncology (AIOM) guidelines for treatment and management of pancreatic cancer. He has also chaired numerous clinical trials on treating patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer.

Professor Santoro is heavily involved in research, with interest in many topics, such as the development of new cancer drugs and new biological therapies, interests for solid and haematological tumours, and not only he treats cancer survivors but also patients with comorbidities.

He has worked in Humanitas Research Hospital for 22 years. Professor Santoro’s post-graduate research was carried out at the Unité de Development Therapeutique (Institut de Cancerologie et d’Immunogenetique, Villejuif of Paris) from 1974 to 1975, and in the Division of Medical Oncology of the National Cancer Institute of Milan from 1976 to 1977. 

In 1977, he specialized in Clinical and Laboratory Haematology at University of Rome. In 1979, he completed his fellowship post-graduate work in the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center of New York and later, at Stanford University. In 1980, he specialized in oncology at the University of Genoa. 

Current Teaching Activity: Professor Santoro worked as Contract Professor at the Specialization School in Clinical Pathology ad Pavia University from 1992 to 1997. Also, from 1993 to 2002 he has been President of the Rare Tumour Group. Now he is full professor at Humanitas University. 

Current Positions: 

• .Since 1997, he is the Director of the Department of Medical Oncology and Haematology, at Istituto Clinico Humanitas, Milan. Also, he is Member of the Ethics Committee of Istituto Clinico Humanitas and Director of Clinical Research in the same Institute since 2007.
• - Since 2008, he is Member of the Planning Committee, Ministry of Work and of Health and Social Politics, Rome, Italy.
• - Since October 2008, Professor Santoro is Counsellor of the Board of Directors of the Fondazione Humanitas for Research of Rozzano, Italy.
• - Since November 2008, he is Expert Member of the National Centre for the Prevention and Control of Disease, Ministry of Work and of Health and Social Politics (Rome, Italy).
• - Since February 2009, he is National Representative preparatory actions for the "European Partnership for Action against Cancer" Ministry of Work and of Health and Social Politics (Rome, Italy).
• - Since February 2009, Professor Santoro is member of National Italian Committee on the Research Network in Oncology, Ministry of Work and of Health and Social Politics (Rome, Italy).
• - Since May 2009, he is Coordinator of the Oesophageal-Stomach Cancer Group Coordinator of the Liver and Biliary Tree Cancer Group, Regional Oncology Commission – Lombardy Oncology Network.

In addition, Professor Santoro’s unique expertise was recognized through numerous awards, such as the Managing Doctor of the Year award (2013), the City of Siena S. Caterina d’Oro Award (2013, Serra Association Award for scientific research) and social and healthcare commitment (Salerno, 2009). 

Publications: santoro%a - Search Results - PubMed (nih.gov) 

Dr. Giuseppe Curigliano is the head of the Division of Early Drug Development at the European Institute of Oncology and an Associate Professor of Medical Oncology at the University of Milano in Italy. He is the founding member and scientific chair for the International Cardio-Oncology Society (ICOS) and has received the first ESO Umberto Veronesi Award in Vienna in 2017 and the Fellowship of the European Academy of Cancer Sciences in Paris in 2017.

Nicoletta Colombo is a Director at the Ovarian Cancer Center at IEO, who has authored numerous publications in the field of gynecologic oncology and is a member of ASCO, SGO, and IGCS.