A Life Saved by Early Detection: Julianne's Journey With Colon Cancer
Early colon cancer screening and expert care by a multidisciplinary team at Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute saved single mom Julianne’s life.
Contact Information
Waltham, MAPhone: 781-487-6100
Boston, MAPhone: 617-724-6980
Dr. David Berger is a colorectal and gastrointestinal Surgeon at Massachusetts General Hospital Division of General Surgery and an Associate Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School.
Dr. Berger's clinical interests are in surgical oncology including cancers of the colon, rectum, liver, pancreas, stomach and GE junction. He also sees many patients with gallbladder disease, diverticulitis and gastrointestinal stromal (GIST) tumors. Dr. Berger performs a high volume of operations - more than 800 per year - many of which are performed laparoscopically (minimally invasive surgery).
Dr. Berger was raised in Haverford, Pennsylvania. He attended Harvard College and the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Dr. Berger completed his residency in Surgery at the Massachusetts General Hospital and served a year as the Chief Resident at the hospital; He completed a year of fellowship training in Nashville, Tennessee before returning to join the surgical staff at Mass General.
Dr. Berger serves on several national committees and on the executive council of the New England Surgical Society. In addition, he serves as the general surgical consultant for the New England Patriots, Boston Bruins and the Boston Red Sox. Dr. Berger has written more than 30 original articles and book chapters and is the editor of the Oxford American Handbook of Surgery published in 2009.
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Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute in Waltham
52 Second Ave.
Suite 1110
Waltham, MA 02451
Phone: 781-487-6100
Massachusetts General Hospital
55 Fruit St.
Boston, MA 02114
Phone: 617-724-6980
Medical Education
American Board Certifications
Note: This provider may accept more insurance plans than shown; please call the practice to find out if your plan is accepted.
Most recent research involves clinical outcomes of colon and rectal cancer.
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Early colon cancer screening and expert care by a multidisciplinary team at Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute saved single mom Julianne’s life.

Dr. David Lawrence Berger is Absolutely The Best MD I have ever been associated with.
very professional
Professional experience similar to all my other experiences at Mass General... The surgeon I met with Dr. David Berger is top shelf.
Dr. Berger was wonderful. It was obvious he had read my entire history. He knew why I was there and what has been going on. He sat directly in front of me and made eye contact. He was so kind and so gentle. He could not have been more reassuring.
Everyone was absolutely perfect. They listened to all my questions. They explained everything that's going to be done. I couldn't ask for a better doctors and I was so happy that I got referred from one of his patients.
Dr. D.Berger is my favorite surgeon. He saved my life in 2008 performing a brilliant surgery for my stage 3 colon cancer, completely curing me from it. He is always caring, attentive, extremely knowledgeable and skilled, open. I trust him with decisions about my health care 100 percent. Cannot say enough good words about this excellent doctor!
It was most helpful in deciding if the surgery is required versus waiting.
Listened to my concerns and gave sound advice
I was seen, consulted with the nurse and the doctor and was out before my appointment was even scheduled.
Top notch