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Dr. Barbara A. Pockaj, MD

(Barbara Pockaj, M.D.)

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Specializes in: Surgical Oncology (Cancer Surgery) and General Surgery

Vanderbilt University School of Medicine (1987)

Professional interests include: melanoma, cancer surgery, mastectomy (breast removal surgery), and more.

5779 E. Mayo Boulevard
Phoenix, AZ 85054

(480) 342-2000

Dr. Barbara A. Pockaj, MD is a surgical oncologist in Phoenix, AZ specializing in surgical oncology (cancer surgery) and general surgery. She graduated from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in 1987 and has 39 years of experience. Dr. Barbara A. Pockaj, MD is affiliated with Mayo Clinic.

Office Locations

5779 E. Mayo Boulevard
Phoenix, AZ 85054

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Phoenix, AZ

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Some issues Dr. Barbara A. Pockaj, MD can help you with:

Mastectomy (Breast Removal Surgery)

Mastectomy is the surgical removal of all or part of the breasts, most frequently associated with breast cancer treatment (for both male and female breast cancer patients). Breast cancer patients who receive a mastectomy typically have undergone other treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiation, and less invasive breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy). If these treatments are unsuccessful, oncologists may eventually prescribe a mastectomy. Other conditions that may prompt a mastectomy include:

Two or more cancerous regions in the same breast
Inability to receive chemotherapy or radiation therapy
High likelihood of recurring breast cancer
Large tumor that is bigger than two inches across
Pregnancy that prohibits radiation therapy
Preexisting conditions like lupus or scleroderma

Notably, some patients may elect to undergo mastectomy without a breast cancer diagnosis. Preventative (prophylactic) mastectomy is performed on those with a high risk of breast cancer, such as having a family history of the disease or carrying the breast cancer BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene. Preventative mastectomy substantially reduces one's chances of developing breast cancer in the future, but it cannot wholly prevent it.

Surgical oncologists perform several types of mastectomies, depending upon the severity of the breast cancer (including factors such as its location and spread), as well as the patients' own aesthetic and personal choices. The six main types of mastectomy include:

Total mastectomy, where the surgical oncologist removes an entire breast, including parts like the pectoral chest muscle, skin, and nipple.
Radical mastectomy, where the surgical oncologist removes the entire breast, underarm lymph nodes, pectoral chest muscles, and outer skin and nipple. One of the most invasive forms of mastectomy, radical mastectomy is infrequently performed.
Modified radical mastectomy, where the surgical oncologist completes a total mastectomy and also removes the underarm lymph nodes. This procedure is slightly less invasive than radical mastectomy.
Skin-sparing mastectomy, where the surgical oncologist removes cancerous breast tissue and nipple, but leaves most of breast skin. This method is used in conjunction with breast reconstruction, as implants can be added below the skin. Skin-sparing mastectomy often requires a treatment team with a surgical oncologist and a plastic surgeon experienced in breast procedures.
Nipple-sparing mastectomy, where the surgical oncologist removes cancerous breast tissue and leaves the nipple and most of the breast skin. This method is only available to patients in the early stages of breast cancer. Similar to skin-sparing mastectomy, this procedure is frequently performed with breast reconstruction.

Any of these procedures can be done on both breasts, in which case the procedure would be known as a double mastectomy. For example, a surgical oncologist might perform a total or nipple-sparing mastectomy on both breasts. Double mastectomies are often used as a preventive surgery for those who are at risk of developing breast cancer later on in life.

Patients have one or two days of hospital stay before returning home from their mastectomy procedures. Full recovery can take several months, but some patients find they are able to resume normal activity within one month of their mastectomy. Patients are advised to limit arm and chest movements whenever possible.

After surgery, patients must also adjust to changes in their appearance. While some patients choose to receive breast reconstruction, other patients may decide to wear prosthetic breasts or will simply embrace their new chest.

Mastectomies permit patients to conquer cancer and lead healthy, thriving lives as breast cancer survivors.

In The News

“"There was no improvement of symptoms when women took black cohosh compared with placebo," says surgeon Barbara Pockaj, MD, of the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz.”—"Hormonal Contraceptive Fights Hot Flashes", Fox News, March 2015

“The herb appears safe enough to study it in women with breast cancer, says Dr. Barbara A. Pockaj, a researcher at Mayo Clinic Scottsdale who is the principal investigator of a study under way at 13...”—"Black cohosh's safety, efficacy in menopause under study", East Bay Times, July 2004

“The herb appears safe enough to study it in women with breast cancer, says Dr. Barbara A. Pockaj, a researcher at Mayo Clinic Scottsdale who is the principle investigator of a study underway at 13...”—"Assessing black cohosh", Los Angeles Times, June 2004

Noteworthy Medicare Patient Procedures Performed by Dr. Barbara A. Pockaj, MD in 2023

Click on any procedure below to see further details on volume and pricing among Medicare patients.

Top 5%

By Volume:

breast cancer surgery

excision

lymph node procedures

mastectomy for breast cancer

In 2023, Dr. Barbara A. Pockaj, MD performed more breast cancer surgery, excision, lymph node procedures, and mastectomy for breast cancer procedures for Medicare patients than 95% of providers in related specialties within Arizona.

Top 10%

By Volume:

breast surgery

open lymph node biopsy

In 2023, Dr. Barbara A. Pockaj, MD performed more breast surgery, and open lymph node biopsy procedures for Medicare patients than 90% of providers in related specialties within Arizona.

Top 25%

By Volume:

biopsy

In 2012, Dr. Barbara A. Pockaj, MD performed more biopsy procedures for Medicare patients than 75% of providers in related specialties within Arizona.

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2012 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Barbara A. Pockaj, MD treated as a surgical oncologist in Phoenix, AZ during 2012 were excision, lymph node procedures, breast procedures and cancer surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Barbara A. Pockaj, MD for Medicare patients.

breast procedures	49
cancer surgery	49
diagnostic procedures	43
doctor visit	169
excision	92
hospital care	11
inpatient care	11
lymph node procedures	91
open surgery	43

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2013 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Barbara A. Pockaj, MD treated as a surgical oncologist in Phoenix, AZ during 2013 were lymph node procedures, excision, open surgery and diagnostic procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Barbara A. Pockaj, MD for Medicare patients.

breast procedures	39
cancer surgery	39
diagnostic procedures	45
doctor visit	168
excision	84
hospital care	11
inpatient care	11
lymph node procedures	88
open surgery	45

2013 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Barbara A. Pockaj, MD.

**Gender**
Male	57
Female	146

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	181
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	101
From 75 to 84	67
85 and over	20
Less than 65	15

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Barbara A. Pockaj, MD in 2013

Hypertension	64
High Cholesterol	51
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	29
Depression	18
Chronic Kidney Disease	17
Asthma	11
Osteoperosis	12
Atrial Fibrilation	12
Heart Failure	12
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	10
Diabetes	20
Dementia	0
Cancer	53

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2014 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Barbara A. Pockaj, MD treated as a surgical oncologist in Phoenix, AZ during 2014 were excision, lymph node procedures, breast procedures and cancer surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Barbara A. Pockaj, MD for Medicare patients.

breast procedures	49
cancer surgery	49
diagnostic procedures	38
doctor visit	175
excision	87
lymph node procedures	83
open surgery	38

2014 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Barbara A. Pockaj, MD.

**Gender**
Male	62
Female	144

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	189
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	110
From 75 to 84	69
85 and over	15
Less than 65	12

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Barbara A. Pockaj, MD in 2014

Hypertension	59
High Cholesterol	59
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	28
Depression	16
Chronic Kidney Disease	18
Asthma	7
Osteoperosis	12
Atrial Fibrilation	13
Heart Failure	9
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	5
Diabetes	24
Dementia	0
Cancer	53

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Barbara A. Pockaj, MD treated as a surgical oncologist in Phoenix, AZ during 2015 were lymph node procedures, excision, breast procedures and cancer surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Barbara A. Pockaj, MD for Medicare patients.

breast procedures	48
cancer surgery	48
diagnostic procedures	46
doctor visit	180
excision	94
hospital care	30
inpatient care	30
lymph node procedures	97
open surgery	46

2015 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Barbara A. Pockaj, MD.

**Gender**
Male	140
Female	288

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	392
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	196
From 75 to 84	162
85 and over	44
Less than 65	26

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Barbara A. Pockaj, MD in 2015

Hypertension	59
High Cholesterol	56
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	29
Depression	19
Chronic Kidney Disease	25
Asthma	7
Osteoperosis	14
Atrial Fibrilation	15
Heart Failure	14
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	7
Diabetes	21
Dementia	0
Cancer	46

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Barbara A. Pockaj, MD treated as a surgical oncologist in Phoenix, AZ during 2016 were lymph node procedures, excision, breast procedures and cancer surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Barbara A. Pockaj, MD for Medicare patients.

breast procedures	42
cancer surgery	42
diagnostic procedures	40
doctor visit	172
excision	82
hospital care	17
inpatient care	17
lymph node procedures	84
open surgery	40

2016 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Barbara A. Pockaj, MD.

**Gender**
Male	42
Female	160

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	184
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	116
From 75 to 84	58
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Barbara A. Pockaj, MD in 2016

Hypertension	53
High Cholesterol	45
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	21
Depression	16
Chronic Kidney Disease	22
Asthma	10
Osteoperosis	12
Atrial Fibrilation	9
Heart Failure	12
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	7
Diabetes	14
Dementia	0
Cancer	53

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Barbara A. Pockaj, MD treated as a surgical oncologist in Phoenix, AZ during 2017 were excision, lymph node procedures, breast procedures and cancer surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Barbara A. Pockaj, MD for Medicare patients.

breast procedures	77
cancer surgery	77
diagnostic procedures	41
doctor visit	177
excision	118
hospital care	15
inpatient care	15
lymph node procedures	85
open surgery	41

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Barbara A. Pockaj, MD.

**Gender**
Male	46
Female	150

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	183
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	102
From 75 to 84	67
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Barbara A. Pockaj, MD in 2017

Hypertension	57
High Cholesterol	49
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	26
Depression	17
Chronic Kidney Disease	23
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	15
Atrial Fibrilation	13
Heart Failure	11
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	10
Diabetes	13
Dementia	8
Cancer	61

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Barbara A. Pockaj, MD treated as a surgical oncologist in Phoenix, AZ during 2018 were excision, lymph node procedures, breast procedures and cancer surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Barbara A. Pockaj, MD for Medicare patients.

breast procedures	40
cancer surgery	40
diagnostic procedures	36
doctor visit	87
excision	76
hospital care	11
inpatient care	11
lymph node procedures	75
open surgery	36

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Barbara A. Pockaj, MD.

**Gender**
Male	30
Female	109

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	127
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	66
From 75 to 84	44
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Barbara A. Pockaj, MD in 2018

Hypertension	60
High Cholesterol	51
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	25
Depression	22
Chronic Kidney Disease	29
Asthma	9
Osteoperosis	13
Atrial Fibrilation	9
Heart Failure	17
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	8
Diabetes	24
Dementia	0
Cancer	61

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Barbara A. Pockaj, MD treated as a surgical oncologist in Phoenix, AZ during 2019 were excision, lymph node procedures, hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Barbara A. Pockaj, MD for Medicare patients.

breast procedures	34
cancer surgery	34
diagnostic procedures	24
doctor visit	115
excision	58
hospital care	38
inpatient care	38
lymph node procedures	53
open surgery	24

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Barbara A. Pockaj, MD.

**Gender**
Male	39
Female	115

**Age**
From 65 to 74	74
From 75 to 84	52
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Barbara A. Pockaj, MD in 2019

Hypertension	61
High Cholesterol	58
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	28
Depression	23
Chronic Kidney Disease	36
Asthma	9
Osteoperosis	16
Atrial Fibrilation	19
Heart Failure	14
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	7
Diabetes	19
Dementia	11
Cancer	66

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Barbara A. Pockaj, MD treated as a surgical oncologist in Phoenix, AZ during 2020 were excision, lymph node procedures, breast procedures and cancer surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Barbara A. Pockaj, MD for Medicare patients.

breast procedures	64
cancer surgery	64
diagnostic procedures	36
doctor visit	142
excision	100
lymph node procedures	73
open surgery	36

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Barbara A. Pockaj, MD.

**Gender**
Male	30
Female	142

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	156
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	90
From 75 to 84	54
85 and over	13
Less than 65	15

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Barbara A. Pockaj, MD in 2020

Hypertension	49
High Cholesterol	53
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	21
Depression	17
Chronic Kidney Disease	27
Asthma	8
Osteoperosis	16
Atrial Fibrilation	9
Heart Failure	9
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	16
Dementia	0
Cancer	75

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Barbara A. Pockaj, MD treated as a surgical oncologist in Phoenix, AZ during 2021 were excision, lymph node procedures, breast procedures and cancer surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Barbara A. Pockaj, MD for Medicare patients.

breast procedures	59
cancer surgery	59
diagnostic procedures	25
doctor visit	157
excision	84
lymph node procedures	61
open surgery	25

2021 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Barbara A. Pockaj, MD.

**Gender**
Male	26
Female	134

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	136
Black	0
Hispanic	11
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	89
From 75 to 84	49
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Barbara A. Pockaj, MD in 2021

Hypertension	62
High Cholesterol	59
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	26
Depression	19
Chronic Kidney Disease	21
Asthma	11
Osteoperosis	15
Atrial Fibrilation	11
Heart Failure	12
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	8
Diabetes	19
Dementia	0
Cancer	74

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2022 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Barbara A. Pockaj, MD treated as a surgical oncologist in Phoenix, AZ during 2022 were excision, breast procedures, cancer surgery and lymph node procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Barbara A. Pockaj, MD for Medicare patients.

breast procedures	74
cancer surgery	74
diagnostic procedures	30
doctor visit	175
excision	104
lymph node procedures	66
open surgery	30

2022 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Barbara A. Pockaj, MD.

**Gender**
Male	34
Female	149

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	164
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	97
From 75 to 84	64
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Barbara A. Pockaj, MD in 2022

Hypertension	65
High Cholesterol	68
Stroke	7
Ischemic Heart Disease	22
Depression	16
Chronic Kidney Disease	19
Asthma	15
Osteoperosis	22
Atrial Fibrilation	20
Heart Failure	12
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	9
Diabetes	26
Dementia	0
Cancer	75

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2012 - 2022

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Barbara A. Pockaj, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Barbara A. Pockaj, MD treated as a surgical oncologist in Phoenix, AZ were excision, lymph node procedures, breast procedures and cancer surgery.

breast procedures	52
cancer surgery	52
diagnostic procedures	36
doctor visit	156
excision	89
hospital care	19
inpatient care	19
lymph node procedures	77
open surgery	36

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2012 - 2022

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Barbara A. Pockaj, MD.

**Gender**
Male	46
Female	139

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	0
Asian / Pacific Islander	0
Non-Hispanic White	155
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Hispanic	1
Other	0

**Age**
75 to 84	62
85 and over	8
Less than 65	6
65 to 74	94

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Barbara A. Pockaj, MD From 2012 - 2022

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Barbara A. Pockaj, MD treated were cancer, hypertension, high cholesterol and ischemic heart disease.

Hypertension	53
High Cholesterol	49
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	23
Depression	16
Chronic Kidney Disease	21
Asthma	7
Osteoporosis	13
Heart Failure	11
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	6
Diabetes	17
Atrial Fibrillation	11
Dementia	1
Cancer	56

Education & Training

Dr. Barbara A. Pockaj, MD graduated from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in 1987. She completed residency at University Hospitals of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University. She is certified by the General Surgery American Board of Surgery and has a state license in Arizona.

Medical School: Vanderbilt University School of Medicine (1987)

Residency: University Hospitals of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University (1995)

Board Certification: General Surgery American Board of Surgery (1996)

Licensed In: Arizona

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Barbara A. Pockaj, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

Mayo Clinic

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General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Barbara A. Pockaj, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

**Payments by Company**
Merck Sharp & Dohme Corporation	$102 KEYTRUDA $102

**Types of Payments**
Food and Beverage	$102

Biography

Dr. Barbara Pockaj's areas of specialization are general surgery and surgical oncology (cancer surgery). Her areas of clinical interest consist of male breast cancer, melanoma, and fibroadenoma. She attended Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and then went on to complete her residency at the University Hospitals, Cleveland. Distinctions awarded to Dr. Pockaj include: Educator of the Year - Educator Hall of Fame; Michael M. Eisenberg Professor of Surgery Award - Mayo Clinic in Arizona; and Investigator of the Year - Mayo Clinic in Arizona. Dr. Pockaj is professionally affiliated with Mayo Clinic.