Yuko Kono, MD, PhD

Yuko Kono, MD, PhD, is a liver doctor (hepatologist) with specialized training and experience managing the liver health of patients with primary liver cancer. Her clinical practice is focused on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance, diagnosis, management, general hepatology and liver transplantation.

She is also an expert in contrast enhanced ultrasound imaging. Dr. Kono is part of UC San Diego Health's multidisciplinary liver cancer clinic, which offers patients highly specialized and coordinated care at one convenient location, ensuring easy and timely access to the best care. She works closely with medical oncologists and other cancer physicians to monitor and manage patients' liver health while they receive cancer treatment.

Dr. Kono's research explores a range of topics, including contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging to diagnosis cancer and monitor response to treatment. She is a professor in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology and the Department of Radiology at UC San Diego School of Medicine.

Dr. Kono received her medical and doctoral degree, and completed her residency and fellowship training, at Kyoto University in Kyoto, Japan. Her medical training includes general hepatology, interventional radiology, liver biopsy, abdominal ultrasound, percutaneous alcohol injection (PEI) and transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for hepatocellular carcinoma patients.

She is a fellow of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (FAIUM) and the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (FAASLD).

UC San Diego Health Links
For more information, see Liver Cancer Care or Center for Transplantation.