Laahn Foster, MD - Fred Hutch

"Fred Hutch Cancer Center" "Where breakthroughs begin, care goes beyond."

Provider

Laahn Foster, MD

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

Specialty:

Hematology-Oncology

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About

Dr. Laahn Foster is a board-certified hematologist oncologist who cares for patients with plasma cell disorders at the Fred Hutch Sloan Clinic and Fred Hutch at UW Medical Center – Montlake.

Provider Background

Area of Clinical Practice
Malignant hematology

Dr. Foster is a physician and researcher who specializes in caring for patients with plasma cell disorders, including monoclonal gammopathy, smoldering myeloma, multiple myeloma, plasma cell leukemia, light chain amyloidosis and Waldenström macroglobulinemia. She has been principal investigator on multiple clinical studies and is a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the American Society of Hematology.

“My aim is to support patients during the life-changing experience of living with cancer by offering treatments that allow you the best chance for remission, balanced with finding enjoyment outside the clinic.”

— Dr. Foster

What drew you to your area of practice?

My interest in plasma cell disorders emerged early during my training. I was intrigued by the various ways a person with newly diagnosed myeloma could present with their disease. I was also in awe of the fast-moving science that included a flurry of new drugs that were continually reshaping the treatment paradigm for patients. It was energizing to witness how new therapies were allowing more patients to achieve a complete response, a form of remission, improving their survival as well as their quality of life. I was deeply inspired by the impact of the rapidly progressing science on these patients' lives. Because of this, I have dedicated my career to treating patients with plasma cell disorders with the goal of providing the best patient care I can offer. It is also my goal to support collective clinical research efforts to further the development of additional, better, more tolerable drugs — with the hope of ultimately finding a cure.

How do you approach providing patient care?

Every patient is unique. One patient with multiple myeloma is not necessarily the same as another person with the same diagnosis. There are nuances to the disease and to the treatments we offer. Fortunately, we have access to a growing number of exciting therapies we can use in combination to render excellent outcomes that are also tailored to a patient’s specific treatment goals. My goal is to provide exceptional care to every patient. As their physician, I am a consultant, an advisor and a supporter.

Diseases Treated

Light Chain Amyloidosis

Monoclonal Gammopathy

Multiple Myeloma

Plasma Cell Leukemia

Smoldering Myeloma

Waldenström Macroglobulinemia

Other Plasma Cell Related Disorders

Languages

English

Education and Experience

Fellowship, Hematology Oncology, University of Virginia

Residency, Internal Medicine, Rutgers - Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

MD, New York Medical College

BA, Cornell University

Board Certification

Hematology 2025, 2015; Medical Oncology 2025, 2015; American Board of Internal Medicine

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.

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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. Foster'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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