Paul T. Nghiem, MD, PhD

How do you work with patients?

I enjoy getting to know my patients, understanding their lifestyle and explaining the latest science and available therapies. Our multidisciplinary team brings together leading researchers and cancer specialists to ensure that you are offered the most innovative treatment options. I emphasize education and will share my knowledge and experience with you, so you are able to make the best decisions about your care.

In addition to seeing patients in my office, I consult with patients from other parts of the country and their physicians who want expert guidance. Extensive consultation lets me look at the whole picture, consider all treatment options and customize patient care. I can successfully work with your local physician, allowing you to be treated where you live.

What drew you to the field of oncology?

When I was a new attending physician, a mentor recruited me to help write a textbook chapter on Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). I had seen only one case of MCC and knew very little about it. As I dug into the existing studies on MCC, my interest grew. I discovered that MCC is a unique cancer that strikes aggressively and is managed differently, has distinct risk factors and is the most lethal of all skin cancers. Since then, unraveling the mysteries of MCC has become the major focus of my clinical work and research.

Provider Background

Specialty: Dermatology

Area of clinical practice

Graft-versus-host disease, skin cancers, skin conditions related to cancer treatment

Medical oncology

I am part of the Fred Hutch Multidisciplinary Skin Oncology Clinic, and I hope to continue expanding the clinic’s focus to include a greater breadth of skin cancers and dermatology. I am excited about recent discoveries in skin cancer research that will improve patient care.

In addition to seeing patients, I lead a lab at UW Medicine that studies the biology of Merkel cell carcinoma. Our goal is to develop new approaches to treating this disease.

Diseases Treated