"Fred Hutch Cancer Center" "Cures Start Here"

Rocco Ferrandino, MD, MSCR

Provider

Rocco Ferrandino, MD, MSCR

Physician, Fred Hutch
Assistant Professor, Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine

Specialty:

Surgery

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“It’s my goal to be personally invested in each relationship with patients and their families so I can make sure every person has a good experience and feels like they're cared for.”

— Dr. Ferrandino

What brought you to oncology and what do you value about your work?

I was not intending to be a surgeon when I started medical school, but when I entered an operating room, I fell in love with the human aspect of head and neck oncology and otolaryngology in general. It’s all so critical to how we communicate and relate to others — eating, drinking and talking are each very intrinsic to being human, and patients can face conditions that affect these functions in complex ways. I appreciate that nothing is the same or repetitive and that I encounter something a bit different every day. I also enjoy connecting with patients when they’re going through a hard time in their lives and supporting them as part of a multidisciplinary team.

What do you hope it’s like for a patient to be in your care?

My goal is for patients to feel that I'm taking care of them like I would care for a family member. That's really how I try to approach all encounters. I am focused on doing the best I can for each patient’s situation. Even if surgery is not going to be part of a patient's cancer care, I want to make sure patients are connected to a great team so they have the best possible outcome.

Provider Background

Area of Clinical Practice
Head and neck oncology and reconstructive surgery

I am a physician who sees patients at the South Lake Union Clinic and Fred Hutch at UW Medical Center – Montlake.

I am a head and neck oncologic and reconstructive surgeon. My focus is on all head and neck cancers, including those starting in the mouth and throat, thyroid or salivary glands, or even the skin.

My research is focused on exploring the applications of liquid biopsies for diagnosing, assessing risks and monitoring head and neck cancers.

Diseases Treated

Esophageal Cancer

Head and Neck Cancers

Salivary Gland Cancer

Languages

English

Undergraduate Degree
Georgetown University

Medical Degree
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Residency
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai/New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery

Fellowship
University of Washington School of Medicine, Head & Neck Oncology and Microvascular Reconstruction

Other
Master of Science in Clinical Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

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. Ferrandino's Publications

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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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