Dr. Anne Tsao is an accomplished oncologist, serving as the director of the mesothelioma program at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. She has led and collaborated on many clinical trials that have helped advance mesothelioma treatments and benefited numerous patients and families. Dr. Tsao’s skill and expertise goes well beyond mesothelioma, as she also researches and treats head and neck cancers, aerodigestive malignancies, and other thoracic cancers, making her a true asset in the cancer field.

Professional History

Soon after completing her fellowship, Dr. Tsao hit the ground running and joined the medical team at MD Anderson Cancer Center. She serves as an associate professor in the Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, later also becoming the director of the mesothelioma program. She also earned her board certification in medical oncology through the American Board of Internal Medicine, which exemplifies her expertise. From the start of her career, she has conducted both clinical and translational laboratory research, with a strong focus on identifying new therapeutic targets and developing new treatments for aerodigestive cancers and mesothelioma.

As the director of the mesothelioma program at MD Anderson Cancer Center, Dr. Tsao works with a team of more than 30 mesothelioma experts. Thoracic surgeons, medical and radiation oncologists all work together on advancing treatment through cutting edge clinical trials and creating multidisciplinary treatment plans for each patient’s individual case.

Dr. Tsao and her team focus on preserving lung function and maintaining a good quality of life for mesothelioma patients by using specialized, less invasive surgeries and highly targeted radiation therapy. Clinical trials are also an important aspect of treatment at the cancer center, as they are often at the forefront of developing and testing the latest cancer therapies. Dr. Tsao has led or participated in many of these clinical trials, which focus on varied topics like combination therapy with novel drugs like cediranib or studies of new drug combinations with conventional surgeries for pleural mesothelioma.

Clinical Interests and Research

With expertise in the treatment of several kinds of cancer, Dr. Tsao has varied research areas she’s interested in. These interests have influenced the direction of her clinical research and clinical trials she becomes involved with.