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Rodriguez
Cristina P. Rodriguez, MD
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Cristina P. Rodriguez, MD

Medical Oncology

  • Physician, Fred Hutch
  • Professor, Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutch
  • Member, Pathogen-Associated Malignancies Integrated Research Center (PAM IRC)
  • Professor, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Washington School of Medicine
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About

Dr. Cristina P. Rodriguez is a board-certified medical oncologist and researcher at Fred Hutch. She specializes in head and neck cancer and salivary gland cancer, treating patients while leading clinical trials focused on targeted therapies and improving outcomes, with particular attention to reducing disparities in cancer care.

Background

Dr. Rodriguez cares for patients with thyroid and lung cancers. She also designs and conducts clinical trials aimed at advancing treatment for locally advanced squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck. A key focus of her research is incorporating targeted therapies into current treatment standards, as well as improving functional and treatment outcomes for patients with advanced head and neck cancers and salivary gland tumors. She also has a particular interest in thyroid cancers that no longer respond to radioactive iodine therapy.

While there have been significant advances in the prevention, detection and treatment of these diseases, there are certain ethnic and demographic groups who continue to experience poor outcomes. These groups tend to have limited access to care and may experience exposure to risk factors — such as tobacco, alcohol and human papillomavirus (HPV) infections — that can contribute to cancer.  Dr. Rodriguez’s work is guided by the goal of reducing racial and economic disparities in cancer care through public awareness, research and collaboration among clinicians, scientists and health policymakers.

In addition to her research and clinical roles, she serves on clinical practice guideline panels for both the National Comprehensive Cancer Network and the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

Area of Clinical Practice
Head and neck cancers, thoracic cancers, salivary gland cancer

“I’m committed to improving your health and providing the best functional outcome.”

— Dr. Rodriguez

Why do you practice oncology?

I grew up in the Philippines with a large extended family that includes many physicians. My uncle was an ear, nose and throat physician who practiced in rural Mindanao. His clinic was located in his house and open at all hours to members of his local community, who often had very limited resources. I always admired his devotion to his profession and wanted to work in a similar field. During my medical training, I was fortunate to work with many great physicians who took the time to mentor me. Through them, I came to appreciate treating cancers of the upper aerodigestive tract and helping patients preserve both function and quality of life.

What is your approach to treatment?

I work as part of a multidisciplinary care team, which brings together the expertise of various specialists, and we are committed to a dual challenge — maximizing the success of your cancer treatment while also sustaining your quality of life. My role is to outline your treatment options using the best available evidence and technology and to help guide decision-making based on your own goals and values. My clinical expertise is informed by my experience overseeing and running clinical trials and collaborating with my research colleagues.

Diseases Treated

Endocrine Tumors

Head and Neck Cancers

Lung Cancer

Oral Cancer

Salivary Gland Cancer

Thyroid Cancer

Research Interests

Clinical trials exploring the integration of targeted/biological therapy into multimodality therapy of locally advanced squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck

Optimizing functional outcomes after therapy for locally advanced head and neck malignancies

Improving outcomes in locally advanced and metastatic malignant tumors of salivary glands

Targeted therapy in radioactive iodine refractory thyroid malignancies

Languages

English
Tagalog

Education and Experience

Fellowship, Hematology and Oncology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation

Residency, Cleveland Clinic Foundation

MD, University of the Philippines

Board Certification

Medical Oncology, 2008; Hematology, 2008; Internal Medicine, 2005; American Board of Internal Medicine

Awards

Seattle Magazine's 2025 Top Doctors Award
Dr. Rodriguez 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. Rodriguez

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. Rodriguez'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
Oncology Insights with Dr. Petros Grivas - Episode 2
Oncology Insights with Dr. Petros Grivas - Episode 2 Dr. Cristina Rodriguez gets to Meet the Greek November 18, 2025
Early phase clinical trial shows promise for advanced head and neck cancer
Early phase clinical trial shows promise for advanced head and neck cancer Nine out of 10 patients treated with the experimental therapy saw their tumors shrink April 13, 2018

Contact Information

206.606.2048

206.606.1435