Avik Som, MD, PhD

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Som
Avik Som, MD, PhD

Avik Som, MD, PhD

  • Physician, Fred Hutch
  • Assistant Professor, Department of Radiology, University of Washington School of Medicine

Radiology

 Print

“Interventional radiology allows us to treat cancer in a minimally invasive way and improve each patient’s quality of life.”

— Dr. Som

What do you value about your work?

I see patients coping with complex cancers who come to us for the latest safe, effective treatments. I view every patient interaction as a partnership. My goal is to bring the very best care we can offer to eradicate the cancer and treat its effects.

Do you have an interesting patient story you’d like to share?

We treated a patient’s liver cancer with a small needle that heated up the tissue using microwaves — yes, the same energy we use in the kitchen. Afterward, we placed a small bandage on the site. When he woke up in the recovery area, he was amazed and dumbfounded that anything had even happened. He was cured of his cancer but had no scars or stitches to show for it.

Interventional radiology uses advances in imaging (CT, ultrasound, fluoroscopy) to perform surgery with very few side effects. Many procedures are outpatient or single-day stays that often cure the underlying cancer. I chose this specialty because it is the future of cancer treatment and I wanted to play a role in improving care.

Provider Background

Area of Clinical Practice
Interventional oncology and radiology

I am a physician-scientist who is always looking to bring the newest therapies from the laboratory bench to patient care at the bedside. I see patients at Fred Hutch at UW Medical Center – Montlake.

I also help direct the IDEA Lab at the University of Washington, which focuses on bringing advances in materials science to the treatment of cancer. In our lab, we think about ways to treat metastatic disease by creating new cancer vaccines while also focusing on how to regenerate underlying tissue. My research vision is to create a world where we not only cure cancer but also improve tissue damaged by the disease. 

Languages

Bengali
English

Education, Experience and Certifications

Undergraduate Degree
Johns Hopkins University

Medical Degree
Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis

Residency
Massachusetts General Hospital, Integrated Residency in Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology

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.

View Clinical Trials

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. Som'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.

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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.

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