Betzaira Childers, MD

Cancer Focus:
Cholangiocarcinoma (Bile Duct Cancer), Colorectal Cancer, Gallbladder Cancer, Gastrointestinal Carcinoid Tumor, Liver (Hepatocellular) Cancer, Neuroendocrine Tumor, Pancreatic Cancer

Dr. Betzaira Childers is a surgical oncologist and Assistant Member in the Gastrointestinal Oncology program. She specializes in hepatobiliary and gastrointestinal cancers, including cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer), hepatocellular carcinoma, colorectal liver metastasis (colon cancer that has spread to the liver), pancreatic adenocarcinoma, and neuroendocrine tumors of the small bowel and pancreas with liver involvement. 

Dr. Childers is recognized for her expertise in complex liver, bile duct, and pancreatic surgery, as well as robotic and minimally invasive cancer operations. She also performs multi-organ resections and vascular resections with reconstruction when it is indicated.  Dr. Childers routinely cares for patients with intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile duct tumors, advanced primary liver cancers, metastatic colorectal cancer to the liver, pancreatic tumors, and neuroendocrine tumors with multi-organ involvement.   Her practice emphasizes precise surgical planning, multidisciplinary collaboration, and care tailored to the unique needs of each patient.

Operations Dr. Childers Performs Include:

• Whipple procedure

• Distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy

• Appleby procedure

• Vascular resection and reconstruction

Liver & Bile Duct

• Hepatectomies

• Liver tumor ablations

• Gallbladder removal

• Bile duct resections and reconstructions

Neuroendocrine Tumors

• Pancreatic operations listed above

• Bowel and colon resections

• Liver resections and ablations (combined or staged based on the patient’s condition)

Her clinical work is complemented by ongoing research using machine-learning tools to improve outcome prediction in hepatobiliary cancers, as well as participation in national GI oncology and AI-driven care initiatives.

Dr. Childers completed her medical degree at the University of Texas School of Medicine at San Antonio, followed by a general surgery residency at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, and a Complex General Surgical Oncology Fellowship at Moffitt, where she received specialized training in open, robotic, vascular, and reconstructive techniques.

She remains committed to expert cancer care, accessible, and patient-centered care for patients seeking specialized treatment for complex liver, bile duct, neuroendocrine, and pancreatic cancer.

Dr. Childers speaks fluent English and Spanish.  She welcomes new patients, offers second-opinion consultations, and provides virtual visit appointments.  No referral needed.

• Childers BG, Denbo JW, Kim RD, Hoffe SE, Glushko T, Qayyum A, Anaya DA. Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: role of imaging as a critical component for multi-disciplinary treatment approach. Abdom Radiol (NY). 2025 Sep.50(9):4110-4124. Pubmedid: 40095023.
• Stefanou AJ, Childers B, Castillo DL, Freeman H, Yu A, Al-Jumayli M, Extermann M, Anaya DA. Evaluation of knowledge, perceptions of care, and current practice of geriatric surgical care at a dedicated cancer center: A survey study. Geriatr Oncol. 2025 Dec.17(2):102836. Pubmedid: 41411917.
• Wu C, Rakhshandehroo T, Wettersten HI, Campos A, von Schalscha T, Jain S, Yu Z, Tan J, Mose E, Childers BG, Lowy AM, Weis SM, Cheresh DA. Pancreatic cancer cells upregulate LPAR4 in response to isolation stress to promote an ECM-enriched niche and support tumour initiation. Nat Cell Biol. 2023 Feb.25(2):309-322. Pubmedid: 36646789. Pmcid: PMC10280815.
• Childers BG, Donovan E, Lo WM, Janowak LM, Sussman J, Janowak CF. Operative management of immune checkpoint colitis following in-transit melanoma: Case report. Front Oncol. 2023 Apr.13:1120808. Pubmedid: 37152059. Pmcid: PMC10157394.
• Cazes A, Childers BG, Esparza E, Lowy AM. The MST1R/RON Tyrosine Kinase in Cancer: Oncogenic Functions and Therapeutic Strategies. Cancers (Basel). 2022 Apr.14(8). Pubmedid: 35454943. Pmcid: PMC9027306.
• Childers BG, Sood D, Patel R, Mose ES, Hosseini M, Kato S, Baumgartner JM, Lowy AM. Palbociclib as a Novel Therapy for Low-Grade Mucinous Carcinomatosis Peritonei of Appendiceal Origin. JCO Precis Oncol. 2021 Nov.5:1069-1072. Pubmedid: 34994628.
• Childers BG, Valasek MA, Patel H, Lowy AM. Neoadjuvant Checkpoint Blockade in Lynch Syndrome-Related Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma. Pancreas. 2021 Feb.50(2):e22-e24. Pubmedid: 33565809.
• Babicky ML, Harper MM, Chakedis J, Cazes A, Mose ES, Jaquish DV, French RP, Childers B, Alakus H, Schmid MC, Foubert P, Miyamoto J, Holman PJ, Walterscheid ZJ, Tang CM, Varki N, Sicklick JK, Messer K, Varner JA, Waltz SE, Lowy AM. MST1R kinase accelerates pancreatic cancer progression via effects on both epithelial cells and macrophages. Oncogene. 2019 Jul.38(28):5599-5611. Pubmedid: 30967626. Pmcid: PMC6625868.