Meet Bita Esmaeli, M.D.
Bita Esmaeli, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Department of Plastic Surgery, Division of Surgery
About Dr. Esmaeli
Internationally renowned for her expertise in orbital oncology and oncologic ophthalmic plastic surgery, Dr. Bita Esmaeli is a professor and the Fellowship Program Director for Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery in the Department of Plastic Surgery at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. Board-certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology, her practice focuses on the surgical treatment of orbital tumors, lacrimal gland carcinomas, eyelid cancers, melanoma of eyelid and conjunctiva, and reconstructive surgery in the periocular region including lacrimal surgery. Dr. Esmaeli has authored over 300 publications and has spearheaded numerous clinical trials and research protocols. Additionally, she teaches throughout the world and is a frequent speaker at national and international meetings.
After receiving her Medical Doctorate at Chicago Medical School, Dr. Esmaeli completed her Ophthalmology Residency at the University of Michigan in 1994. Shortly following, she completed the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS) Fellowship in Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Toronto. In 1998, Dr. Esmaeli began her orbital oncology and oncologic ophthalmic plastic surgery practice at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas.
Her research interests include early detection of metastasis, multi-disciplinary eye sparing approaches, and molecular targets for treatment for ocular and orbital cancers. For her work, Dr. Esmaeli has received many prestigious awards and honors including the Merrill Reeh Pathology Award, the Research Award and The Wendel Hughes Award from the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS), the American Academy of Ophthalmology Senior Achievement Award, Best Doctors in America, and Top Doctors Award. In 2017 and 2018, Dr. Esmaeli had two of her articles which were published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Cancer Cell included on the Wall of Science at MD Anderson Cancer Center. She was the recipient of the Team Science Award by the American Association for Cancer Research for co-leading the TCGA project on uveal melanoma. Dr. Esmaeli served as the Director of Ophthalmology Service at M.D. Anderson Cancer Cancer from 1998-2000 and subsequently as the Chief of Ophthalmology Section until 2004. She is currently an ASOPRS Fellowship Program Director for Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Professor of Ophthalmology, Department of Plastic Surgery, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Adjunct Professor of Ophthalmology, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas McGovern School of Medicine, Houston, TX
Research Interests
1. Sentinel lymph node biopsy for eyelid and conjunctival tumors (melanoma, sebaceous carcinoma, Merkel cell ca) to detect early metastasis
2. Immunotherapy for orbital and adnexal lymphomas and lymphoproliferative disorders of the orbit
3. Use of adjuvant radiation therapy for eyelid and orbital cancers after globe sparing surgery
4. Management of canalicular stenosis and nasolacrimal duct blockage associated with chemotherapy
5. Conditional knock-out mouse model of eyelid/conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma as a model for human skin squamous cell carcinoma
6. Tissue and Blood banking for uveal melanoma and mutational analysis of uveal melanomas as basis for targeted adjuvant treatments in uveal melanoma patients
7. Implementation of AJCC classification in ophthalmic oncology
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 1986 | University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA, MS, Cell Biology and Physiology |
| 1986 | Chicago Medical School, Chicago, IL, USA, MD, Medicine |
| 1980 | Rhodes College, Memphis, TN, USA, BA, Biology |
Postgraduate Training
| 1995-1996 | The American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS) Fellowship in Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto |
| 1991-1994 | Ophthalmology Residency, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI |
Board Certifications
| 1996 | Subspecialty Training (not board certification): American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery |
| 1995 | American Board of Ophthalmology |
Experience & Service
Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities
Chair, Graduate Medical Education, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2015 - 2017
Fellowship Program Director, Ophthalmic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship Programs, Department of Plastic Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2001 - Present
Honors & Awards
| 2022 | Wendell Hughes Lecture Aware, ASOPRS |
| 2020 | 2020 AACR Team Science Award, AACR |
| 2019 | Faculty Educator of the Quarter, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2018 | Wall of Science - MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2015 | Top Cancer Doctors 2015, Newsweek/Castle Connolly Medical LTD |
| 2013 | 2013 Mentorship Award, WIO/AMA Women Physicians Sector |
| 2012 | American Ophthalmologic Society, Member |
| 2011 | The American Academy of Ophthalmology Senior Achievement Award |
| 2009 | Best Doctors in America, Best Doctors, Inc |
| 1998 | The Research Award, The American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery |
| 1997 | The Merrill Reeh Pathology Award, The American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery |
| 1993 | The George Slocum Resident Research Award, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Michigan |
| 1992 | The James M. LaBerge Resident Research Award, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Michigan |
| 1990 | The Janet M. Glasgow Memorial Citation, American Medical Women's Association |
| 1990 | The Board of Trustees Scholarship Award for Academic Achievement, Chicago Medical School |
| 1989 | Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society Award |
Professional Memberships
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Mustak H, Liu W, Murta F, Ozgur O, Couch S, Garrity J, Shinder R, Kazim M, Callahan A, Hayek B, Kim H, Yu F, Esmaeli B, Rose G, Rootman D. Carcinoid Tumors of the Orbit and Ocular Adnexa. Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg 37(3):217-225, 2021. PMID: 32496392.
- Baker MS, Yin VT, Ivan D, Allen RC, Carter KD, Esmaeli B, Shriver EM. Epidemiology and Prognosis of Primary Periocular Sweat Gland Carcinomas. Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg 33(2):101-105, 2017. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 26974419.
- Chattopadhyay C, Kim DW, Gombos DS, Oba J, Qin Y, Williams MD, Esmaeli B, Grimm EA, Wargo JA, Woodman SE, Patel SP. Uveal Melanoma: From Diagnosis to Treatment and the Science in Between. Cancer 122(15):2299-312, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 26991400.
- Holliday EB, Esmaeli B, Pinckard J, Garden AS, Rosenthal DI, Morrison WH, Kies MS, Gunn GB, Fuller CD, Phan J, Beadle BM, Zhu XR, Zhang X, Frank SJ. A Multidisciplinary Orbit-Sparing Treatment Approach That Includes Proton Therapy for Epithelial Tumors of the Orbit and Ocular Adnexa. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 95(1):344-52, 2016. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 26454680.
- Ganesan P, Ali SM, Wang K, Blumenschein GR, Esmaeli B Wolff RA, Miller VA, Stephens PJ, Ross JS, Palmer GA, Janku F. Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor P753S Mutation in Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma Responsive to Cetuximab-Based Therapy. J Clin Oncol 34(5):e34-7, 2016. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 24934779.
- Woo KI, Yeom A, Esmaeli B. Management of Lacrimal Gland Carcinoma: Lessons From the Literature in the Past 40 Years. Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg 32(1):1-10, 2016. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 26291539.
- Tetzlaff MT, Curry JL, Yin V, Pattanaprichakul P, Manonukul J, Uiprasertkul M, Manyam GC, Wani KM, Aldape K, Zhang L, Prieto VG, Esmaeli B. Distinct Pathways in the Pathogenesis of Sebaceous Carcinomas Implicated by Differentially Expressed MicroRNAs. JAMA Ophthalmol 133(10):1109-16, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 26203913.
- Ozgur OK, Yin V, Chou E, Ball S, Kies M, William WN, Migden M, Thuro BA, Esmaeli B. Hedgehog Pathway Inhibition for Locally Advanced Periocular Basal Cell Carcinoma and Basal Cell Nevus Syndrome. Am J Ophthalmol 160(2):220-227.e2, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 25935097.
- Bell D, Sniegowski MC, Wani K, Prieto V, Esmaeli B. Mutational Landscape of Lacrimal Gland Carcinomas and Implications for Treatment. Head Neck. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 25899808.
- Tao R, Ma D, Takiar V, Frank SJ, Fuller CD, Gunn GB, Beadle BM, Morrison WH, Rosenthal DI, Edson MA, Esmaeli B, Kupferman ME, Hanna EY, Garden AS, Phan J. Orbital Carcinomas Treated with Adjuvant Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy. Head Neck. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 25782700.
- Munch-Petersen HD, Rasmussen PK, Coupland SE, Esmaeli B, Finger PT, Graue GF, Grossniklaus HE, Honavar SG, Khong JJ, McKelvie PA, Mulay K, Prause JU, Ralfkiaer E, Sjö LD, Sniegowski MC, Vemuganti GK, Heegaard S. Ocular Adnexal Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma: A Multicenter International Study. JAMA Ophthalmol 133(2):165-73, 2015. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 25393033.
- Bishop AJ, Garden AS, Gunn GB, Rosenthal DI, Beadle BM, Fuller CD, Levy LB, Gillenwater AM, Kies MS, Esmaeli B, Frank SF, Phan J, Morrison WH. Merkel Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck: Favorable Outcomes with Radiotherapy. Head Neck. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 25645649.
- Esmaeli B. Treatment Challenges with Benign Bone Tumors of the Orbit. Oncul Oncol Pathol:111-120, 2015. e-Pub 2015.
- Yin VT, Warneke CL, Merritt HA, Esmaeli B. Number of Excisions Required to Obtain Clear Surgical Margins and Prognostic Value of AJCC T Category for Patients with Eyelid Melanoma. Br J Ophthalmol 98(12):1681-5, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 25053759.
- Sniegowski MC, Roberts D, Bakhoum M, Mc Laughlin P, Yin VT, Turturro F, Esmaeli B. Ocular Adnexal Lymphoma: Validation of American Joint Committee on Cancer Seventh Edition Staging Guidelines. Br J Ophthalmol 98(9):1255-60, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 24759874.
- Sedrak P, Lee PS, Guha-Thakurta N, Chang EI, Ginsberg LE, Esmaeli B, Debnam JM. MRI Findings of Myocutaneous and Fasciocutaneous Flaps Used for Reconstruction of Orbital Exenteration Defects. Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg 30(4):328-36, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 24777262.
- Lee PS, Sedrak P, Guha-Thakurta N, Chang EI, Ginsberg LE, Esmaeli B, Debnam JM. Imaging Findings of Recurrent Tumors After Orbital Exenteration and Free Flap Reconstruction. Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg 30(4):315-21, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 24867414.
- Nasser QJ, Pfeiffer ML, Romaguera J, Fowler N, Debnam JM, Samaniego F, El-Sawy T, McLaughlin P, Bakhoum MF, Esmaeli B. Clinical Value of Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Other Baseline Testing for Conjunctival Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue Lymphoma. Leuk Lymphoma 55(5):1013-7, 2014. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 23879202.
- Sagili S, Yin V, Esmaeli B, O'Donnell B, Eckstein R, Malhotra R. Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Caruncle. Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg 31(4):e80-2. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 24814271.
- Yin VT, Wiraszka TA, Tetzlaff M, Curry JL, Esmaeli B. Cutaneous Eyelid Neoplasms as a Toxicity of Vemurafenib Therapy. Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg 31(4):e112-5. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 24833447.
- Mortuza S, Esmaeli B, Bell D. Primary Intraocular Ancient Schwannoma: A Case Report and Review of the Literature. Head Neck 36(4):E36-8, 2014. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 23729377.
- Nasser QJ, Roth KG, Warneke CL, Yin VT, El Sawy T, Esmaeli B. Impact of AJCC 'T' Designation on Risk of Regional Lymph Node Metastasis in Patients with Squamous Carcinoma of the Eyelid. Br J Ophthalmol 98(4):498-501, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 24429279.
- Merritt H, Bakhoum MF, Sniegowski MC, Esmaeli B. A 66-year-old Woman with Extensive Conjunctival Melanosis. Digit J Ophthalmol 20(2):32-4, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 25097463.
- Savar A, Acin S, Gonzalez CL, El-Sawy T, Mejia O, Li Z, Esmaeli B, Lacy-Hulbert A, El-Naggar AK, McCarty JH, Caulin C. Loss of Epithelial p53 and αv Integrin Cooperate Through Akt to Induce Squamous Cell Carcinoma yet Prevent Remodeling of the Tumor Microenvironment. Oncogene. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 24469034.
- Bui M, Frank SJ, Nasser QJ, El Sawy T, McLemore MS, Morrison WH, Esmaeli B. "Multidisciplinary Management of Primary Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of the Eyelid with Perineural Invasion". Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg 29(6):e143-6, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 23446295.
- El-Sawy T, Frank SJ, Hanna E, Sniegowski M, Lai SY, Nasser QJ, Myers J, Esmaeli B. Multidisciplinary Management of Lacrimal Sac/Nasolacrimal Duct Carcinomas. Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg 29(6):454-7, 2013. PMID: 24195987.
- Pfeiffer ML, Yin VT, Myers J, Esmaeli B. Regional Nodal Recurrence of Sebaceous Carcinoma of the Caruncle 11 Years After Primary Tumor Resection. JAMA Ophthalmol 131(8):1091-2, 2013. PMID: 23765335.
- Pfeiffer ML, Yin VT, Bell D, Mancini R, Esmaeli B. Sclerosing Polycystic Adenosis of the Lacrimal Gland. Ophthalmology 120(4):873-873.e1, 2013. PMID: 23552085.
- Fellman M, Carter K, Call CB, Esmaeli B. Disease Recurrence After Intraarterial Chemotherapy in 2 Patients with Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of Lacrimal Gland. Can J Ophthalmol 48(2):e17-8, 2013. PMID: 23561610.
- Shah K, Esmaeli B, Ginsberg LE. Perineural Tumor Spread Along the Nasociliary Branch of the Ophthalmic Nerve: Imaging Findings. J Comput Assist Tomogr 37(2):282-5, 2013. PMID: 23493220.
- Kim HJ, Hayek B, Nasser Q, Esmaeli B. Viability of Full-Thickness Skin Grafts used for Correction of Cicatricial Ectropion of Lower Eyelid in Previously Irradiated Field in the Periocular Region. Head Neck 35(1):103-8, 2013. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 22287483.
- Debnam JM, Mayer RR, Esmaeli B, Weinberg JS, Demonte F, Guha-Thakurta N. Three-Dimensional Multidetector CT for Anatomic Evaluation of Orbital Tumors. J Ophthalmol 2013:674230, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 24288594.
- El-Sawy T, Sabichi AL, Myers JN, Kies MS, William WN, Glisson BS, Lippman S, Esmaeli B. Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Inhibitors for Treatment of Orbital Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Arch Ophthalmol 130(12):1608-11, 2012. PMID: 23229707.
- Esmaeli B, Roberts D, Ross M, Fellman M, Cruz H, Kim SK, Prieto VG. Histologic Features of Conjunctival Melanoma Predictive of Metastasis and Death (an American Ophthalmological Thesis). Trans Am Ophthalmol Soc 110:64-73, 2012. PMID: 23818735.
- Oellers P, Savar A, Samaniego F, Pro B, Esmaeli B. Second-line 90yttrium-ibritumormab Tiuxetan (Zevalin) in a Patient with Conjunctival MALT Lymphoma Refractory to Rituximab. Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg 00(0):1-2, 2012. PMID: 22820440.
- Savar A, Esmaeli B. Re: "Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Patients with Conjunctival and Eyelid Cancers: Experience in 17 Patients". Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg 28(6):471; author reply 471-2, 2012. PMID: 23138213.
- Shinder R, Mostafavi D, Nasser QJ, Esmaeli B, Shore JW. Primary Orbital Liposarcoma Misdiagnosed as Thyroid Associated Orbitopathy. Orbit 31(4):264-6, 2012. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 22571512.
- Khalili JS, Yu X, Wang J, Hayes BC, Davies MA, Lizee G, Esmaeli B, Woodman SE. Combination Small Molecule MEK and PI3K Inhibition Enhances Uveal Melanoma Cell Death in a Mutant GNAQ-and GNA11-Dependent Manner. Clin Cancer Res 18(16):4345-55, 2012. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 22733540.
- Shinder R, Nasser QJ, Gutman J, Brejt S, Williams MD, Esmaeli B. Idiopathic Inflammation of the Orbit and Contiguous Structures. Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg 28(4):e82-5, 2012. e-Pub 2011. PMID: 22082592.
- Esmaeli B, Nasser QJ, Cruz H, Fellman M, Warneke CL, Ivan D. American Joint Committee on Cancer T Category for Eyelid Sebaceous Carcinoma Correlates with Nodal Metastasis and Survival. Ophthalmology 119(5):1078-82, 2012. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 22330966.
- El-Sawy T, Ali R, Nasser QJ, Esmaeli B. Outcomes of Dacryocystorhinostomy in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer Treated with High-dose Radiation Therapy. Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg 28(3):196-8, 2012. PMID: 22460683.
- Nasser QJ, Gombos DS, Williams MD, Guadagnolo BA, Morrison WH, Garden AS, Beadle BM, Canseco E, Esmaeli B. Management of Radiation-induced Severe Anophthalmic Socket Contracture in Patients with Uveal Melanoma. Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg 28(3):208-12, 2012. PMID: 22581085.
- El-Sawy T, Savar A, Williams MD, De Monte F, Esmaeli B. Prognostic Accuracy of the Seventh Edition vs Sixth Edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer Tumor Classification for Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of the Lacrimal Gland. Arch Ophthalmol 30(5):664-66, 2012. PMID: 22652862.
- Shinder R, Ivan D, Seigler D, Dogan S, Esmaeli B. Feasibility of Using American Joint Committee on Cancer Classification Criteria for Staging Eyelid Carcinomas. Orbit 30(5):202-207, 2011. PMID: 21957948.
- Shinder R, Jackson TL, Araujo D, Prieto VG, Guadagnolo BA, Esmaeli B. Preoperative Radiation Therapy in the Management of Recurrent Orbital Hemangiopericytoma. Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg 27(5):e126-8, 2011. e-Pub 2011. PMID: 21242853.
- Connor M, Droll L, Ivan D, Cutlan J, Weber RS, Frank SJ, Esmaeli B. Incidence and Management of Perineural Invasion in Sebaceous Carcinoma of the Eyelid. Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg 27(5):356-9, 2011. e-Pub 2011. PMID: 21629141.
- Hsu A, Esmaeli B, Hayek B, Hossain MG, Shinder R, Lazar AJ, McCarty JH. Analysis of av Integrin Protein Expression in Human Eyelid and Periorbital Squamous Cell Carcinomas. J Cutan Pathol 38(7):570-5, 2011. e-Pub 2011. PMID: 21375561.
- Skinner HD, Garden AS, Rosenthal DI, Ang KK, Morrison WH, Esmaeli B, Pinnix CC, Frank SJ. Outcomes of Malignant Tumors of the Lacrimal Apparatus: The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Experience. Cancer 117(12):2801-10, 2011. e-Pub 2011. PMID: 21656758.
- Savar A, Oellers P, Myers J, Prieto VG, Torres-Cabala C, Frank SJ, Ivan D, Esmaeli B. Positive Sentinel Node in Sebaceous Carcinoma of the Eyelid. Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg 27(1):4-6, 2011. e-Pub 2010. PMID: 20940661.
- Savar A, Esmaeli B, Ho H, Liu S, Prieto VG. Conjunctival Melanoma: Local-regional Control Rates, and Impact of High-risk Histologic Features. J Cutan Pathol 38(1):18-24, 2011. e-Pub 2010. PMID: 20860727.
Grant & Contract Support
| Title: | "A double-blind study evaluating the safety and efficacy of cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion 0.05% [Restasis] in subjects with epiphora secondary to docetaxel [Taxotere] for various cancers" |
| Funding Source: | Allergan Pharmaceutical Corporation |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | "Integrin-mediated regulation of epithelial cell growth" |
| Funding Source: | American Cancer Society Institutional Grant |
| Role: | Collaborator |
| Title: | Multi-institutional Orbital & Ocular Oncology Database |
| Funding Source: | American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) -Uveal Melanoma Project |
| Funding Source: | National Cancer Institute |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
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