Jing Zeng, MD

What drew you to cancer care?

When I was in college, I had the opportunity to observe a multidisciplinary tumor board. A group of specialists — medical oncologists, surgeons, radiation oncologists, pathologists and radiologists — got together to discuss how to treat patients with challenging diagnoses. The way they were able to bounce ideas off each other and pool their collective insight to find the best way to help someone was compelling. For me, it highlighted how complex cancer is and how collaboration among many different experts benefits patients. That experience was what initially inspired me to pursue oncology. While nothing would make me happier than to abolish cancer entirely, I do enjoy helping people reach their goals and feel confident in their decision-making. Even though I cannot cure every patient, I will always care for each one. 

Tell us about an interaction with a patient that had an impact on you.

Several years ago, I cared for a woman who had been diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer. She had developed a bony tumor that was causing her a fair amount of pain. We were able to use palliative radiation to help her feel a little better. Rather than curing cancer, palliative radiation focuses on relieving symptoms and improving quality of life. She told me that she really appreciated the time that I spent with her, that our discussion helped clarify what was going on and what she wanted to do in regard to treatment. During one of her last visits, she gave me a portrait of myself that she’d drawn in pencil. Unfortunately, she passed away not long after that, but her drawing still hangs in my office. I’ll never forget her.

Provider Background

Specialty: Radiation Oncology

Area of clinical practice

Genitourinary cancers, Kidney cancer

Lung cancer, thoracic malignancies, genitourinary cancers

I am a board-certified radiation oncologist who treats patients with lung cancer, thoracic malignancies and genitourinary tumors that affect the bladder and male reproductive tract. My expertise spans all types of radiation, including proton therapy. In addition to caring for patients, I serve as the Medical Director at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center - Proton Therapy, where I lead the prostate cancer program.

My research is focused on two main areas. The first is studying new technology in order to better target radiation treatment for each patient, ultimately making it safer and more accurate. The second is using radiation to help other treatments, such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy, work better.