"Fred Hutch Cancer Center" "Cures Start Here"

Chaitra S. Ujjani, MD

Provider

Chaitra S. Ujjani, MD

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

Specialty:

Medical Oncology

South Lake Union Clinic

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“Oncology is the epitome of understanding how to practice the art of medicine.”

— Dr. Ujjani

Why do you practice oncology?

At the age of 17, I knew that I was going to be a doctor. I have never once regretted that decision. As an oncologist, I find it satisfying to work with patients to achieve a common goal. The science behind different forms of cancer is also fascinating — I want to know what’s driving them. There’s a creativity to oncology right now, in trying to figure out how to bring new therapies together and how to integrate them with current treatment approaches. I’m invested in trying to understand that so I can improve outcomes for you. It’s this excitement that brings me to work every day.

What do you want patients to know about working with you?

Oncology is an art in the sense that I can’t just look at the data and make a decision about what’s best for you. There are many nuances to consider, not only the biology of your disease but also you as the patient: your personal goals, your living situation, your fitness level and your age, just to name a few. When it comes to blood cancers, there are so many more treatment combinations available than there used to be, which is great, but it also means that the way forward isn’t simple. Together, we take in all of the information and decide on the best approach.

Provider Background

Area of Clinical Practice
Hematologic malignancies, lymphomas and chronic lymphocytic leukemia

I am a board-certified medical oncologist who specializes in the treatment of lymphomas and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). These cancers affect white blood cells, which are responsible for fighting off infection. For more than a decade, I’ve designed and led multi-center clinical trials that test new drug combinations for treating these diseases, with the goals of more precisely targeting cancer while decreasing the intensity of side effects. I’m also interested in immunotherapy, how patients’ own immune cells can be extracted and engineered to attack their cancer. In addition to patient care and research, I am an active member of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and I’ve presented my research at the annual conference of the American Society of Hematology.

Diseases Treated

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Cutaneous Lymphoma

Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma

Follicular Lymphoma

Hodgkin Lymphoma

Low Grade Lymphoma

Lymphoma

MALT Lymphoma

Mantle Cell Lymphoma

Marginal Zone Lymphoma

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Waldenström Macroglobulinemia

Languages

English

Education, Experience and Certifications

Undergraduate Degree
University of Alabama, Birmingham

Medical Degree
University of Alabama School of Medicine

Residency
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Internal Medicine

Fellowship
Georgetown University Hospital, Hematology-Oncology

Board Certification
Oncology, 2011; Hematology, 2011, American Board of Internal Medicine

Awards

American Cancer Society Young Investigator Research Grant
Dr. Ujjani received the 2016 American Cancer Society Young Investigator Research Grant to support her clinical trial work testing new drug combinations in the treatment of relapsed follicular lymphoma.

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Relentless for a Cure Award
This award honors excellence in patient education and research.

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.

Find a Clinical Trial Led by Dr. Ujjani

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. Ujjani'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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