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Lee
Sylvia M. Lee, MD

Sylvia M. Lee, MD

Medical Oncology

  • Physician, Fred Hutch
  • Associate Professor, Program in Immunology, Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutch
  • Member, Immunotherapy Integrated Research Center (IIRC), Fred Hutch
  • Associate Professor, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Washington School of Medicine
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About

Dr. Sylvia M. Lee is a board-certified medical oncologist and researcher at Fred Hutch, specializing in immunotherapy for skin and thoracic cancers, including melanoma and lung cancer.

Background

Dr. Lee helps patients explore advanced treatment options, including participation in clinical trials, with a focus on harnessing the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells.

She is an expert in tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy, a form of immunotherapy that uses a patient’s own immune cells to fight cancer. TILs are T cells that can attack tumors but are often turned off by cancer itself. In this approach, dormant immune cells are extracted from a piece of tumor, reactivated and selected in the laboratory, expanded to the billions and then reinfused into the patient to attack the cancer. This strategy has shown particular promise for highly mutated cancers such as melanoma.

Dr. Lee created Fred Hutch’s TIL program and works closely with laboratory investigators and industry partners to bring new T-cell therapies into clinical trials. Her goal is to extend the benefits of these therapies to as many patients as possible, including expanding T cell–based treatments to additional cancers such as head and neck cancers. She is committed to improving outcomes by enhancing the immune system’s natural ability to recognize and destroy cancer.

Area of Clinical Practice
Skin cancers, thoracic cancers

“It is my privilege to work with you during your triumphs and difficult times.”

— Dr. Lee

What do you enjoy about practicing oncology?

I was fortunate to be raised in a loving family that valued caring for others, and I wanted a career that would allow me to help people. I became a high school science teacher in the Teach for America program and then returned to medical school. I initially planned to focus on internal medicine, but during my oncology rotation, I decided that I wanted to work with cancer patients. I find oncology patients to the most inspiring and rewarding patients I have ever worked with, as they deeply appreciate their loved ones and the value of life.

What is your approach to treatment?

I will care for you the way I would care for my family, with respect and compassion. My goal is to help you and your loved ones clearly understand your treatment options, providing you with the information and support you need to make informed decisions about your care.

Diseases Treated

Endocrine Tumors

Lung Cancer

Melanoma

Skin Cancer

Languages

English

Education and Experience

Fellowship, Hematology and Oncology, University of Washington

Residency, Internal Medicine, University of Washington

MD, University of North Carolina School of Medicine

Board Certifications

Medical Oncology, 2011; Internal Medicine, 2006; American Board of Internal Medicine

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. Lee

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. Lee'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 dietitians, 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

All news
New program to fast-track lung cancer research from lab to clinic
New program to fast-track lung cancer research from lab to clinic Patient-focused science at the heart of $13M National Cancer Institute grant August 6, 2019
Seattle mayor and melanoma survivor Jenny Durkan visits Fred Hutch
Seattle mayor and melanoma survivor Jenny Durkan visits Fred Hutch Mayor shares personal story as Hutch scientists outline the future of cancer therapy March 13, 2019
His immune system eradicated his melanoma. Could other patients’ bodies be taught to do the same thing?
His immune system eradicated his melanoma. Could other patients’ bodies be taught to do the same thing? How one man’s T cells are guiding the development of next-gen immunotherapies June 19, 2018

Contact Information

206.606.2274

206.606.1435