Judith Hagedorn, MD, MHS

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

I was caring for a patient who had a rare cancer of the appendix. The disease had spread to the point that it obstructed his ureter, a tube that transfers urine from the kidney to the bladder, and it was causing him pain. Every three to four months, I would switch out his stent so that his kidneys could drain properly. I got to know him and his wife quite well; at each visit, we’d sit down and talk about their lives, how he was doing with eating and how chemotherapy was going. When he eventually passed away, his wife wrote me a letter telling me how much they appreciated the care. The bond we developed was very special, and I was grateful I could provide him a measure of comfort. My relationship with them continues to inspire my work today. 

What’s it like to work with you?

Sometimes cancer and cancer treatment can lead to urologic problems, such as incontinence or fistulas, that can cause discomfort and be difficult to live with. I use my expertise and the best available clinical evidence to improve your quality of life and achieve optimal outcomes. I begin by listening to your experience — what your journey has been like so far and your urologic needs —so that we can arrive at a care plan together. During each visit, I strive to thoroughly answer your questions and clearly explain what’s happening with your body so that you can make informed decisions. 

Provider Background

Specialty: Surgery

Area of clinical practice
Genitourinary cancers

Urologic disorders, urologic complications from cancer and cancer treatment
As a urologist, I specialize in treating disorders related to the urinary tract and male reproductive system. My clinical and research interests include the repair and reconstruction of the urinary tract, the management of urologic injury and trauma, male urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction. I see patients at UW Medical Center and the Urology Clinic at Harborview Medical Center. 

Part of my practice includes caring for cancer survivors. I work with patients who have urologic complications from cancer or cancer treatments. I also monitor for cancer recurrence and perform surgery to remove some cancers.r (CAR). This receptor directs a patient’s immune system to attack tumors. Known as CAR T-cell therapy, this approach has been remarkably effective in early-phase trials, even with very advanced cancers that resist other treatments.