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Shankaran
Veena Shankaran, MD, MS
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Veena Shankaran, MD, MS

Medical Oncology

  • Physician, Fred Hutch
  • Co-Director Hutchinson Institute for Cancer Outcomes Research (HICOR), Fred Hutch
  • Professor Public Health Sciences Division; Professor, Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutch
  • Lert Family Endowed Chair, Fred Hutch
  • Professor, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Washington School of Medicine
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About

Dr. Veena Shankaran is a board-certified medical oncologist and researcher who sees patients with gastrointestinal cancers at Fred Hutch. She also studies the financial impact of cancer care, including costs to patients and delivering effective treatment without waste.

Background

Dr. Shankaran specializes in caring for patients with gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies, primarily cancers of the esophagus and stomach, while treating a range of other cancers affecting the digestive system. Alongside patient care, she collaborates with colleagues to expand the GI cancer clinical trials program to increase patient access to novel treatment options.

Dr. Shankaran is co-director of the Hutchinson Institute for Cancer Outcomes Research (HICOR), a Fred Hutch–based research institute focused on health care economics and policy. Her research examines the out-of-pocket costs faced by patients with gastrointestinal cancers and the cost-effectiveness of cancer therapies, often referred to as “financial toxicity,” meaning the financial strain caused by medical care. She leads national research through the SWOG Cancer Research Network to measure financial outcomes for people with cancer and serves on SWOG’s Cancer Care Delivery Research Committee. Her work also includes studying real-world treatment patterns and costs of care in the Puget Sound region and across the country.

Area of Clinical Practice
Gastrointestinal cancers

“I believe in providing you and your family with the resources to navigate your illness and treatment course with self-assurance and dignity.”

— Dr. Shankaran

Why do you focus on treating gastrointestinal (GI) cancers?

GI cancers are a diverse group of life-threatening diseases; collectively they’re the most common form of cancer in the United States. While significant advances have been made in the way these diseases are treated, there is still room for improvement. I’m passionate about identifying new therapies for GI cancers and increasing the number of clinical trials available. Cancers affecting the gut can also have a major impact on a person’s quality of life — making it difficult for them to enjoy a meal with friends and family. I find it rewarding to help people live not only longer, but better, and participate in the aspects life that give it meaning, like eating and socializing.

What’s it like working with you?

I believe in providing you and your family with the resources to navigate your illness and treatment course with self-assurance and dignity. I enjoy getting to know my patients, explaining what the latest science has to say and discussing what clinical trials are available. There’s been a lot of progress in GI cancer therapy in recent years, and I look forward to sharing that information with you. We’ll work together to develop a treatment plan that is based on the evidence as well as your particular needs and circumstances.

Diseases Treated

Anal Cancer

Colon Cancer

Esophageal Cancer

Gastrointestinal Cancer

Liver Tumors and Cancer

Neuroendocrine Tumors

Pancreatic Cancer

Rectal Cancer

Stomach Cancer

Research Interests

The out-of-pocket costs that patients with gastrointestinal cancers experience as well as the cost-effectiveness of cancer therapy—studying how great care can be delivered without wasting resources. Dr. Shankaran is working with Dr. Scott Ramsey, an expert in the cost effectiveness of healthcare and health-related quality of life and director of the Hutchinson Institute for Cancer Outcomes Research in the Public Health Sciences Division at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center.

Languages

English
Spanish

Education and Experience

Fellowship, Hematology and Oncology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology

Internship and Residency, Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Department of Internal Medicine

MD, University of Michigan Medical School

BA, Philosophy, Magna Cum Laude, Dartmouth College

Board Certification

Medical Oncology, 2009, American Board of Internal Medicine

Awards

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

Seattle Business Magazine's Gold Award for Achievement in Medical Research
Dr. Shankaran received this award in 2019 for her research about the financial strain faced by patients with cancer and her efforts to lessen the impact of costly treatments.

Clinical Trials

We make promising new treatments available to you through studies called clinical trials led by Fred Hutch physicians. 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. Shankaran

Publications

Many of our Fred Hutch physicians conduct ongoing research to improve standards of patient care. Their work is evaluated by other physicians 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. Shankaran'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
Dr. Veena Shankaran receives the Lert Family Endowed Chair
Dr. Veena Shankaran receives the Lert Family Endowed Chair Gift will accelerate research to understand and reduce the financial burden of cancer June 12, 2026
ASCO Young Investigator Award winners showcase the breadth and depth of Fred Hutch research
ASCO Young Investigator Award winners showcase the breadth and depth of Fred Hutch research Hematology-oncology fellows and faculty receive $50,000 each toward early-career projects May 28, 2026
Value in Cancer Care Summit reimagines cancer care
Value in Cancer Care Summit reimagines cancer care Annual conference zeroes in on practical solutions for patient and provider pain points like burnout, symptom management and financial toxicity November 19, 2025

Contact Information

206.667.7844

206.606.1090