- Diseases We Treat

Provider

Faculty

David Zhen, MD

Specialty:

Medical Oncology

Physician, Fred Hutch
Associate Professor, Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutch
Associate Professor, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Washington School of Medicine

Sloan Clinic

About

Dr. David B. Zhen is a board-certified medical oncologist and researcher at Fred Hutch. He treats gastrointestinal cancers and leads clinical trials to improve early detection and personalized therapies.

Background

Dr. Zhen specializes in caring for people with gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, with an interest in the stomach, esophagus and pancreas. His work in clinic is closely connected to his research, which aims to improve treatment options and outcomes for patients.

Dr. Zhen conducts clinical trials that evaluate novel therapies, study strategies for earlier cancer detection, and seek to better predict which treatments are most likely to benefit individual patients. His research also explores how the immune system interacts with GI cancers and how these interactions can be leveraged to improve immunotherapy. This includes studying checkpoint inhibitors. His research is a collaborative effort between Fred Hutch and the University of Washington.

Area of Clinical Practice
Gastrointestinal cancers

“It’s the intricate relationship of being on the leading edge of scientific discovery and caring for extraordinary individuals that drives me as an oncologist.”

— Dr. Zhen

When were you first impacted by cancer?

I’ve always had a strong interest in biology and helping others in need. When I was a child, my grandfather was diagnosed with, and eventually passed from, advanced pancreatic cancer. Even at a young age, that experience left lasting memories and ultimately influenced my interest in cancer. In college, I found conducting cancer research intellectually stimulating. It gave me the ability to advance scientific knowledge that could lead to important discoveries for treating cancer patients. But what really solidified my passion for pursuing oncology as a career was the deep and long-term personal relationships I could develop with each patient. I felt then, and still do, that it’s quite unique and what is most rewarding about the field of oncology compared to other fields of medicine.

What’s your approach to cancer care?

I strive to serve as an advocate for my patients, ensuring you understand your diagnosis and all your available treatment options. My goal is to develop a personalized treatment plan that incorporates and respects your values. I strongly believe in a multidisciplinary approach to your care. I’m also involved in research that primarily focuses on investigating novel therapies for pancreatic cancer and other gastrointestinal cancers through clinical trials. My hope is that we’ll be able to develop better methods for earlier detection of cancer, more effective therapies, and strategies to better predict which treatments are more likely to work for an individual patient. This all leads to improved outcomes and also to avoiding side effects from therapies that are not likely to be as effective.

Diseases Treated

Esophageal Cancer

Gastric Cancer

Gastrointestinal Cancer

Gastrointestinal Diseases

Liver Tumors and Cancer

Neuroendocrine Tumors

Pancreatic Cancer

Languages

English

Education and Experience

Fellowship, University of Michigan Medicine, Hematology-Oncology

Residency, Mayo Clinic, Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic

MD, Wayne State University School of Medicine

BS, Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Michigan

Board Certifications

Internal Medicine, 2014; Medical Oncology, 2017, American Board of Internal Medicine

Awards

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

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

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. Zhen

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. Zhen'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

Contact Information

Email:

Fax:

206.606.1090