Ritu Salani, MD
Accepting new patients

Ritu Salani, MD

  • Gynecologic Oncology
OBGYN Oncology | 100 Medical Plaza, Suite 383, Los Angeles, CA 90095

About

Dr. Ritu Salani is a board-certified gynecologic oncologist who is a nationally renowned expert in the treatment of gynecologic malignancies with over 15 years of experience. She serves as the Director of Gynecologic Oncology at UCLA.

Her expertise is in providing comprehensive care to patients with gynecologic malignancies (ovarian, cervical, uterine/endometrial, and vulvar cancers). She has specialized training in a wide range of surgical approaches (laparoscopic, robotic surgery, complex pelvic surgery, and radical surgical techniques) and the administration of systemic treatment, such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy and access to clinical trials. Her clinical care is focused on delivering compassionate care with state-of-the-art medicine and best clinical practices. She offers a multi-disciplinary approach to care partnering with specialists in radiation oncology radiology, medical oncology, genetics, and palliative care.

Dr. Salani currently serves as the UCLA Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship Director and is dedicated to the education of the next generation of healthcare providers. She has received multiple teaching awards throughout her career and focuses on innovative teaching methods.  

Dr. Salani’s research focuses on clinical trials with novel therapies, best practices after cancer treatment, and improving patient centered outcomes. She has over 100 peer reviewed publications and is a national and international leader in the field. She is actively involved in professional societies where she has(d) leadership roles including NRG Oncology (Cervical Cancer Committee), National Cancer Institute Gynecologic Cancer Steering Committee (Cervical Cancer Co-Chair), Society of Gynecologic Oncology (Education and Finance Committee) and the International Gynecologic Cancer Society (Education Committee Chair and elected Secretary-Treasurer). She is also a board examiner for the American Board of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.  

Languages

English

Education

Medical Board Certifications

Gynecologic Oncology, American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2012
Obstetrics and Gynecology, American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2010

Fellowship

Gynecologic Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine-GME, 2008

Residency

Obstetrics & Gynecology, Emory University School of Medicine, 2005

Degrees

MBA, Johns Hopkins Carey Business School, 2008
MD, Northeast Ohio Medical University, 2001

Locations

West Los Angeles

OBGYN Oncology

Obstetrics and Gynecology| Gynecologic Medical Oncology| Cancer Genetics +2 more specialties

Hospital Affiliations

Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center

UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center

Research

Publications

  1. Barnes DR, Rookus MA, McGuffog L…Salani R…Antoniou AC. Polygenic risk scores and breast and epithelial ovarian cancer risks for carriers of BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 pathogenic variants. Genet Med 2020, accepted for publication. PMID 32665703
  2. Harkenrider MM, Markham MJ, Dizon DS, Jhingran A, Salani R, Serour RK, Lynn J, Kohn EC. Moving forward in cervical cancer-enhancing susceptibility to DNA repair inhibition and damage: NCI Clinical Trials Planning Meeting Report. J Natl Cancer Inst 2020; accepted for publication. PMID 32219419
  3. Teoh D, Musa F, Salani R, Huh W, Jimenez E. Diagnosis and management of adenocarcinoma in situ: A Society of Gynecologic Oncology evidence-based review and recommendations. Obstet Gynecol 2020;135(4):869-78. PMID 32168211
  4. Chase D, Huang HQ, Monk BJ…Salani R…Tewari KS. Patient-reported outcomes at discontinuation of anti-angiogenesis therapy in the randomized trial of chemotherapy with bevacizumab for advanced cervical cancer: an NRG Oncology Group study. Int J Gynecol Cancer 2020;30(5):596-601. PMID 32114513
  5. Hutchcraft ML, Smith B, McLaughlin EM, Hade EM, Backes FJ, O'Malley DM, Cohn DE, Fowler JM, Copeland LJ, Salani R. Conization pathologic features as a predictor of intermediate and high risk features on radical hysterectomy specimens in early stage cervical cancer. Gynecol Oncol 2019; 153(2):255-8. PMID 30718123
  6. Rose PG, Java JJ, Salani R…Copeland LJ. Nomogram for Predicting Individual Survival After Recurrence of Advanced-Stage, High-Grade Ovarian Carcinoma. Obstet Gynecol 2019;133;(2):245-254. PMID 30633128
  7. Randall ME, Filiaci V, McMeekin DS…Salani R…Miller DS. Phase III trial of adjuvant pelvic radiation therapy versus vaginal cuff brachytherapy plus paclitaxel/carboplatin chemotherapy in high-intermediate and high risk, early stage endometrial cancer. J Clin Oncol 2019;37(21):1810-18. PMID 30995174
  8. von Gruenigen VE, Huang HQ, Cella D, Zevon M, LaChance JA, Waker JL, Salani R, Modesitt SC, Morris RT, Bradley WH, Boente MP, Wenzel L. Quality of life, symptoms and care needs in patients with persistent or recurrent platinum-resistant ovarian cancer: An NRG Oncology/Gynecologic Oncology Group study. Gynecol Oncol 2018;150(1):119-26. PMID 29778506
  9. Salani R, Khanna N, Frimer M, Bristow RE, Chen LM. An update on post-treatment surveillance and diagnosis of recurrence in women with gynecologic malignancies: Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) recommendations. Gynecol Oncol 2017;146(1):3-10. PMID 28372871
  10. Thaker PH*, Salani R*, Brady WE, Lankes HA, Cohn DE, Mutch DG, Mannel RS, Bell-McGuinn KM, DiSilvestro PA, Jelovac D, Carter JS, Duan W, Resnick KE, Dizon DS, Aghajanian C, Fracasso PM. A phase I trial of paclitaxel, cisplatin and veliparib in the treatment of persistent or recurrent carcinoma of the cervix: An NRG Oncology Study (NCT#01281852). Ann Oncol 2016;28(3):505-511. PMID 27998970 *Both authors contributed equally for first authorship.

Link to Dr. Salani's PubMed publications

Insurance

  • Aetna
  • Anthem Blue Cross
  • Blue Shield of California
  • Centivo
  • Cigna
  • First Health
  • Health Net of California
  • Interplan (part of HealthSmart)
  • L.A. Care
  • MultiPlan
  • UFCM Health System
  • Prime Health Services
  • Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS)
  • TRICARE
  • UnitedHealthcare

The list of health care plans above may not be comprehensive and could change. 
Please contact your benefits coordinator or health insurance company directly to verify coverage.

Visit our health insurance information page for more details.

Recognitions

  • Super Doctors® Southern California, 2024
  • Top Doctors, Los Angeles Magazine, 2022, 2023
  • Best Doctors in America, 2012-2020
  • GOG Scholar Investigator Award, 2019
  • APGO Excellence in Teaching Award, 2015