Kristin E. Rojas, MD
Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, Division of Surgery
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Associate Professor, Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Associate Professor, Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2013 | UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, US, Medicine, Medical Doctor (MD) |
Postgraduate Training
| 2017-2018 | Breast Surgery Fellow (Society of Surgical Oncology), Breast Surgical Oncology, Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York |
| 2013-2017 | Resident, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brown University/Women & Infants Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island |
Experience & Service
Faculty Academic Appointments
Associate Professor, Department of Surgery, University of Miami/Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, Florida, 2024 - 2025
Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery, University of Miami/Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, Florida, 2020 - 2024
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Higgins MG, Helmkamp L, Zimmaro LA, Leslie SE, Adams M, Vemuru S, Huynh VD, Baurle E, Bozzuto L, Rojas KE, Coons HL, Arkema A, Tevis S. Preliminary evaluation of the acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of an online sexual health educational video series for breast cancer patients. Support Care Cancer 34(2):130, 2026. e-Pub 2026. PMID: 41586882.
- Mihulka O, Curran M, Narasimhan RM, Moore JF, Rojas KE. Strategies for Treating Sexual Health Concerns After Breast and Gynecologic Cancer. J Minim Invasive Gynecol, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 41419078.
- Kobiella E, Satish S, Pon F, Jueng L, Shields C, Curran M, Wolde T, Moore JF, Greenseid S, Koru-Sengul T, Zhao W, Penedo F, Rojas KE. More than just "vaginal dryness": sexual dysfunction correlates with genitourinary anatomy changes in female cancer survivors. Support Care Cancer 33(12):1056, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 41225249.
- Jiang JG, Agarwal T, Higgins MG, Roy MK, Adams M, Leslie SE, Baurle E, Rojas KE, Tevis SE. Identifying resource needs of patients with breast cancer by examining alignment of Reddit post content with BREAST-Q domains. Am J Surg 247:116486, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40554986.
- Higgins MG, Helmkamp L, Zimmaro LA, Leslie SE, Adams M, Vemuru S, Huynh VD, Baurle E, Bozzuto L, Rojas KE, Coons HL, Arkema A, Tevis S. Let's Talk About Sex: An Acceptable, Appropriate and Feasible Online Sexual Health Educational Video Series for Breast Cancer Patients. Res Sq, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40894017.
- Adams M, Higgins MG, Vemuru SR, Huynh V, Coons HL, Baurle E, Rojas KE, Hampanda K, Zimmaro L, Arkema A, Bozzuto L, Fleagle E, Makela K, Singer K, Tevis SE. Developing a patient-centered educational video series on sexual health for women with breast cancer. Support Care Cancer 33(8):724, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40719966.
- Greenseid S, Li G, Mihulka O, Vazquez A, Verosky A, Franco SR, Bheemireddy S, Higgins MG, Leslie S, Tevis S, Rojas K. A retrospective multi-institutional assessment of breast radiology and pathology report readability and a novel patient tool (MedEd) utilizing American literacy standards. J Cancer Surviv, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40583070.
- Desai A, Smartz T, Tabibi O, Borowsky PA, Tadisina KK, Singh DP, Kesmodel SB, Rojas KE, Mella-Catinchi JR. Presentation and Management of Silicone Lymphadenopathy: A Single Institutional Retrospective Cohort Study. Aesthetic Plast Surg 49(12):3417-3424, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 39794502.
- Swafford EP, Anantha S, Davis J, Heath R, Draper A, Tevis S, Goel N, Kesmodel SB, Rojas KE. Lumpectomy Patients are at Highest Risk for Opioid Overprescription: A Comparison Between Practice Patterns and OPEN National Guidelines. Ann Surg Oncol 32(4):2585-2593, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 39800847.
- Desai A, Dahl V, De Castro Silva I, Clark M, Xu KY, Kesmodel SB, Goel N, Rojas KE, Crystal J, Mella-Catinchi JR. Larger recipient vein caliber during lymphatic microsurgical preventive healing approach (LYMPHA) is associated with lower lymphedema rates. Surgery 176(5):1485-1491, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 39237435.
- Jeon JH, Adams M, Higgins MG, Vemuru SR, Ludwigson AM, Huynh V, Baurle E, Rojas K, Matlock DD, Lee C, Kim S, Tevis S. Breast Cancer Surgery: A Qualitative Exploration of Concerns Over Time. J Surg Res 300:272-278, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38830302.
- Sparger CC, Hernandez AE, Rojas KE, Khan K, Halfteck GG, Moller M, Avisar E, Goel N, Crystal JS, Kesmodel SB. Axillary management and long-term oncologic outcomes in breast cancer patients with clinical N1 disease treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. World J Surg Oncol 22(1):199, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 39075403.
- Choi S, Borowsky PA, Morgan O, Kwon D, Zhao W, Koru-Sengul T, Gilna G, Net J, Kesmodel S, Goel N, Patel Y, Griffiths A, Feinberg JA, Kangas-Dick A, Andaz C, Giuliano C, Zelenko N, Manasseh DM, Borgen P, Rojas KE. A Multi-institutional Analysis of Factors Influencing the Rate of Positive MRI Biopsy Among Women with Early-Stage Breast Cancer. Ann Surg Oncol 31(5):3141-3153, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38286883.
- Choi S, Borowsky PA, Rojas KE. ASO Author Reflections: The Great MRI Debate-For Some But Not For All. Ann Surg Oncol 31(5):3194-3195, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38376710.
- Pelegrina Perez TC, Desai A, Tadisina KK, Singh DP, Kesmodel SB, Rojas KE, Mella-Catinchi JR. Prevalence, clinical characteristics, and management of silicone lymphadenopathy: A systematic review of the literature. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg 90:76-87, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38364672.
- Vemuru SR, Bronsert M, Vossler K, Huynh VD, Beaty L, Ahrendt G, Arruda J, Kaoutzanis C, Rojas KE, Bozzuto L, Kim S, Tevis SE. Postoperative Outcomes After Staged Versus Coordinated Breast Surgery and Bilateral Salpingo-Oophorectomy. Ann Surg Oncol 30(9):5667-5680, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37336806.
- Schubbe D, Yen RW, Leavitt H, Forcino RC, Jacobs C, Friedman EB, McEvoy M, Rosenkranz KM, Rojas KE, Bradley A, Crayton E, Jackson S, Mitchell M, O'Malley AJ, Politi M, Tosteson ANA, Wong SL, Margenthaler J, Durand MA, Elwyn G. Implementing shared decision making for early-stage breast cancer treatment using a coproduction learning collaborative: the SHAIR Collaborative protocol. Implement Sci Commun 4(1):79, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37452387.
- Borowsky PA, Choi S, Moore JF, White A, Morin C, Net J, Kesmodel SB, Goel N, Kwon D, Griffiths A, Feinberg JA, Zelenko N, Manasseh DM, Borgen P, Rojas KE. The Association of Preoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) With Surgical Management in Patients With Early-Stage Breast Cancer. J Surg Res 280:114-122, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35964483.
- Billings JD, Huynh V, Leonard LD, Kovar A, Jones TS, Cumbler E, Christian N, Rojas KE, Meacham R, Tevis SE. Addressing an epidemic: Improving guideline-concordant opioid prescribing in surgical patients. Surgery 172(5):1407-1414, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 36088172.
- Huynh V, Vemuru S, Hampanda K, Pettigrew J, Fasano M, Coons HL, Rojas KE, Afghahi A, Ahrendt G, Kim S, Matlock DD, Tevis SE. No One-Size-Fits-All: Sexual Health Education Preferences in Patients with Breast Cancer. Ann Surg Oncol 29(10):6238-6251, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35915298.
- Picado O, Kwon D, Rojas K, Crystal J, Wang L, Mahtani R, Valdes F, Goel N, Kesmodel SB. Impact of genomic assays on treatment and outcomes in locally advanced breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat 194(2):433-447, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35635580.
- Morin C, Borgen PI, Rojas KE. ASO Author Reflections: The Time to Incorporate Opioid-Minimizing Initiatives in Your Institution is now. Ann Surg Oncol 28(11):5865-5866, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33877480.
- Huynh V, Colborn K, Rojas KE, Christian N, Ahrendt G, Cumbler E, Schulick R, Tevis S. Evaluation of opioid prescribing preferences among surgical residents and faculty. Surgery 170(4):1066-1073, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33858683.
- Morin C, Patel Y, Javid M, Tevis SE, Fortes T, Flom P, Andaz C, Manasseh DM, Borgen P, Rojas KE. Opioid-Sparing Multimodal Analgesia Protocol for Lumpectomy Patients Results in Superior Postoperative Pain Control. Ann Surg Oncol 28(11):5855-5864, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34076809.
- Huynh V, Colborn K, Christian N, Rojas K, Nehler M, Bronsert M, Cumbler E, Ahrendt G, Tevis S. Resident Opioid Prescribing Habits Do Not Reflect Best Practices in Post-Operative Pain Management: An Assessment of the Knowledge and Education Gap. J Surg Educ 78(4):1286-1294, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33386285.
- Rojas KE, Teshome M, Tevis SE. Unforeseen Collateral Damage of COVID-19 With the Virtualization of Fellowship Interviews. Ann Surg 273(6):e271-e272, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33914481.
- Morin C, Rojas KE. ASO Author Reflections: Effective Opioid-Minimizing Protocols Are Not One Size Fits All. Ann Surg Oncol 27(Suppl 3):709-710, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32725522.
- Morin C, Javid M, Patel Y, Flom P, Andaz C, Manasseh DM, Borgen PI, Rojas KE. Obese Patients Who Receive an Opioid-Sparing Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Protocol are at Increased Risk of Persistent Pain After Breast Surgery. Ann Surg Oncol 27(12):4802-4809, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32749623.
- Huynh V, Rojas K, Ahrendt G, Murphy C, Jaiswal K, Cumbler E, Christian N, Tevis S. Reassessing Opioid Use in Breast Surgery. J Surg Res 254:232-241, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32474196.
- Meyer T, Borgen P, Rojas K. A spontaneous unveiling of bilateral DCIS in an elderly male. J Surg Case Rep 2020(10):rjaa399, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 33154807.
- Rojas KE, Manasseh DM, Rojas M, Mattocks A, Portnow L, Kantharia S, Zelenko N, Giuliano C, Borgen PI. The natural history of untreated estrogen receptor-positive, Her2-negative invasive breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat 182(1):79-83, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32399743.
- Fisher K, Rojas K, Zelkowitz C, Borgen P, Kiss L, Zeng J. Beta-HCG-producing phyllodes tumor. Breast J 26(3):547-549, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 31605427.
- Kangas-Dick AW, Bornstein Y, Azar O, Rojas KE, Borgen PI. Larvae of Musca domestica (common house fly) found intraoperatively in a male breast abscess. SAGE Open Med Case Rep 8:2050313X20917841, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32477552.
- Kangas-Dick A, Prien C, Rojas K, Pu Q, Hamshow M, Wan E, Chawla K, Wiesel O. Gastrointestinal perforation in a critically ill patient with COVID-19 pneumonia. SAGE Open Med Case Rep 8:2050313X20940570, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32728444.
- Rojas KE, Fortes TA, Flom P, Manasseh DM, Andaz C, Borgen P. Intraoperative Ketorolac Use Does Not Increase the Risk of Bleeding in Breast Surgery. Ann Surg Oncol 26(10):3368-3373, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31342387.
- Rojas KE, Fortes TA, Flom PL, Manasseh DM, Andaz C, Borgen PI. Mastectomy is no longer an indication for postoperative opioid prescription at discharge. Am J Surg 218(4):700-705, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31350009.
- Rojas KE, Bilbro N, Manasseh DM, Borgen PI. A Review of Pregnancy-Associated Breast Cancer: Diagnosis, Local and Systemic Treatment, and Prognosis. J Womens Health (Larchmt) 28(6):778-784, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 30481102.
- Rojas KE, Butler E, Gutierrez J, Kwait R, Laprise J, Wilbur JS, Spinette S, Raker CA, Robison K, Legare R, Gass J, Stuckey A. Choosing high-risk screening vs. surgery and the effect of treatment modality on anxiety and breast-specific sensuality in BRCA mutation carriers. Gland Surg 8(3):249-257, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31328104.
- Agbroko SO, Rojas KE, Manasseh DM, Borgen P. Male DCIS diagnosed after use of over-the-counter hormonal supplement. Int J Surg Case Rep 57:60-62, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 30903856.
- Rojas KE, Manasseh DM, Flom PL, Agbroko S, Bilbro N, Andaz C, Borgen PI. A pilot study of a breast surgery Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol to eliminate narcotic prescription at discharge. Breast Cancer Res Treat 171(3):621-626, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 29915947.
- Rojas KE, Matthews N, Raker C, Clark MA, Onstad M, Stuckey A, Gass J. Body mass index (BMI), postoperative appearance satisfaction, and sexual function in breast cancer survivorship. J Cancer Surviv 12(1):127-133, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 29043480.
- Gass JS, Onstad M, Pesek S, Rojas K, Fogarty S, Stuckey A, Raker C, Dizon DS. Breast-Specific Sensuality and Sexual Function in Cancer Survivorship: Does Surgical Modality Matter?. Ann Surg Oncol 24(11):3133-3140, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28608119.
- Rojas K, Onstad M, Raker C, Clark MA, Stuckey A, Gass J. The impact of mastectomy type on the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), satisfaction with appearance, and the reconstructed breast's role in intimacy. Breast Cancer Res Treat 163(2):273-279, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28260139.
- Barrera JG, Rojas KE, Balestrini C, Espinel C, Figueredo A, Saaibi JF, Machuca S, Murcia A. Early results after synchronous carotid stent placement and coronary artery bypass graft in patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis. J Vasc Surg 57(2 Suppl):58S-63S, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 23336857.
- Saint-Cyr M, Rojas K, Colohan S, Brown S. The role of fat grafting in reconstructive and cosmetic breast surgery: a review of the literature. J Reconstr Microsurg 28(2):99-110, 2012. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 21928171.
Review Articles
- Rojas K, Spring LM, O'Riordan L, Weiss A. Endocrine Therapy for Surgeons: Practical Pearls for Managing Menopausal, Bone Loss and Sexual Adverse Effects. Ann Surg Oncol 30(10):5951-5961, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37495843.
- Lambertini M, Arecco L, Woodard TL, Messelt A, Rojas KE. Advances in the Management of Menopausal Symptoms, Fertility Preservation, and Bone Health for Women With Breast Cancer on Endocrine Therapy. Am Soc Clin Oncol Educ Book 43:e390442, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37229618.
- Khan F, Rojas K, Schlumbrecht M, Jeudin P. Oophorectomy in Premenopausal Patients with Estrogen Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer: New Insights into Long-Term Effects. Curr Oncol 30(2):1794-1804, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 36826100.
- Thomas TE, Bowers K, Gomez D, Morgan O, Borowsky PA, Dutta R, Abu Y, Roy S, Rojas KE. The association between perioperative opioids and breast cancer recurrence: a narrative review of the literature. Transl Breast Cancer Res 4:12, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 38751469.
- Satish S, Moore JF, Littlefield JM, Bishop IJ, Rojas KE. Re-Evaluating the Association Between Hormonal Contraception and Breast Cancer Risk. Breast Cancer (Dove Med Press) 15:227-235, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 36987503.
- Fiser C, Crystal JS, Tevis SE, Kesmodel S, Rojas KE. Treatment and Survivorship Interventions to Prevent Poor Body Image Outcomes in Breast Cancer Survivors. Breast Cancer (Dove Med Press) 13:701-709, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34938117.
- Brenin DR, Dietz JR, Baima J, Cheng G, Froman J, Laronga C, Ma A, Manahan MA, Mariano ER, Rojas K, Schroen AT, Tiouririne NA, Wiechmann LS, Rao R. Pain Management in Breast Surgery: Recommendations of a Multidisciplinary Expert Panel-The American Society of Breast Surgeons. Ann Surg Oncol 27(12):4588-4602, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32783121.
- Rojas KE, Fortes TA, Borgen PI. Leveraging the variable natural history of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) to select optimal therapy. Breast Cancer Res Treat 174(2):307-313, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 30536119.
- Rojas K, Stuckey A. Breast Cancer Epidemiology and Risk Factors. Clin Obstet Gynecol 59(4):651-672, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27681694.
Other Articles
- Swafford EP, Anantha S, Davis J, Heath R, Draper A, Tevis S, Goel N, Kesmodel SB, Rojas KE Correction: Lumpectomy Patients are at Highest Risk for Opioid Overprescription: A Comparison Between Practice Patterns and OPEN National Guidelines. Ann Surg Oncol 32(5):3351, 2025. PMID: 39918753.
Letters to the Editor
- Swafford E, Rojas K. Response to: "A Reply to Swafford-Methodologic Hubris and Health Policy Concerns," by Kollas, Chad. Ann Surg Oncol 32: 3963-3964, 2025.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified May 13, 2026