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Eaton
Keith D. Eaton, MD, PhD
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Keith D. Eaton, MD, PhD

Medical Oncology

  • Clinical Director, Thoracic Oncology and Head & Neck Oncology, Fred Hutch
  • Medical Director, Quality & Value, Fred Hutch
  • Professor, Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutch
  • Professor, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Washington School of Medicine
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About

Dr. Keith Eaton is a board-certified medical oncologist and researcher who provides care for people with thoracic and head and neck cancers at Fred Hutch Sloan. He leads clinical trials of new drug therapies and advancing cancer care quality and safety.

Background

Dr. Eaton cares for patients with cancers of the lung, thyroid, head and neck, and treats patients with cancer of unknown primary (CUP), a rare condition in which cancer is found but the site where it began cannot be identified. His clinical approach emphasizes thoughtful, individualized care for patients facing complex diagnoses. Dr. Eaton is the clinical director for Thoracic and Head & Neck Oncology as well as medical director for Quality, Safety and Value, focusing on improving cancer care at a systems level, including how care is delivered, how teams communicate with patients and how end-of-life care is approached.

Dr. Eaton also leads clinical trials evaluating novel therapies for lung cancer, including immunotherapies and targeted treatments. He collaborates closely with research colleagues to better understand cancer biology and translate these insights into more precise treatment strategies.

Area of Clinical Practice
Head and neck cancers, lung cancer, thoracic cancers, cancer of unknown primary

“Helping people is really important to me. My childhood heroes were Gandhi and Einstein. Now, as a clinician and researcher, I get to connect closely with patients while bringing them leading-edge treatments.”

— Dr. Eaton

Why did you become an oncologist?

I was always drawn toward the sciences, particularly physics and math. But in graduate school, I began to feel like something was missing; the more I pursued these interests, the more I felt removed from people. Then I met my wife, who was in medical school at the time. Through her, I discovered that a career in medicine would be scientifically challenging while also providing that missing human element, so I switched gears and decided to become a physician. What I like about being an oncologist is that I get to treat the whole person, not just their illness. I’m interested in how someone is coping, what their priorities are and how I can help them lead a healthy, fulfilling life despite a cancer diagnosis.

Do you have a personal connection with cancer?

In 2012, I was diagnosed with leukemia and was given less than a 5 percent chance of survival. Kind of like Harry Potter — I’m the boy who lived. As a survivor, I never lose sight of how fortunate I am to support others as they face the challenges of cancer diagnosis and treatment. I consider patient education to be one of the most important aspects of my work because it empowers you to make informed decisions and participate fully in your care. I’m known as kind, patient, a good listener and an open, compassionate communicator. I’m committed to answering all your questions honestly and really getting to know you.

Diseases Treated

Adrenal Cancer

Endocrine Tumors

Head and Neck Cancers

Lung Cancer

Mesothelioma

Oral Cancer

Salivary Gland Cancer

Thyroid Cancer

Research Interests

Clinical Trials

Supportive Care

Languages

English

Education and Experience

Fellowship, Medical Oncology, University of Washington/Fred Hutch

Residency, Internal Medicine, University of Washington

MD, University of California, San Diego

PhD, Physics, University of California, San Diego

AB, Physics and Mathematics, University of California, Berkeley

Board Certification

Medical Oncology, Internal Medicine; American Board of Internal Medicine

Awards

Seattle Met's 2025 Top Doctors Award
Dr. Eaton has received this peer-nominated award for exceptional patient care for multiple years.

Clinical Trials

We make promising new treatments available to you through studies called clinical trials led by Fred Hutch physicians and researchers. Many of these trials at Fred Hutch have led to FDA-approved treatments and have improved standards of care globally. Together, you and your physician can decide if a study is right for you.

Find a Clinical Trial Led by Dr. Eaton

Publications

Many of our Fred Hutch physicians and researchers conduct ongoing research to improve standards of patient care. Their work is evaluated by others in their field and selected for publication to the United States National Library of Medicine, the largest medical library in the world. See scientific papers this Fred Hutch physician has written.

View Dr. Eaton's Publications

Your Care Team

At Fred Hutch, you receive care from a team of providers with extensive experience in your disease. Your team includes physicians, a patient care coordinator, a registered nurse, an advanced practice provider and others, based on your needs. You also have access to experts like registered dieticians, social workers, acupuncturists, psychiatrists and more who specialize in supporting people with cancer or blood disorders.

Meet Other Providers

Insurance

Fred Hutch accepts most national private health insurance plans as well as Medicare. We also accept Medicaid for people from Washington, Alaska, Montana and Idaho. We are working to ensure that everyone, no matter what their financial situation, has access to the care they need.

More About Insurance

Stories

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20 years since Fred Hutch president helped make EGFR discovery, woman with stage 4 lung cancer is thriving Dr. Tom Lynch described how targeted therapies could dramatically improve patient outcomes August 7, 2024

Contact Information

206.606.6249

206.606.1435