Dr. Anne Tsao

Director of the Mesothelioma Program at MD Anderson Cancer Center

As one of the leading doctors for mesothelioma, Dr. Anne Tsao has provided new treatment opportunities for patients. She is the Director of the Mesothelioma Program at MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Dr. Anne Tsao

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Pleural Mesothelioma

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MD Anderson Cancer Center

1515 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX, 77030


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More Information About Mesothelioma Specialist Dr. Anne Tsao

Mesothelioma is an aggressive and rare cancer, and people are recommended to find a doctor with clinical experience treating patients and leading a mesothelioma program at a cancer center. Dr. Tsao is also the Program Chair of the Department of Thoracic, Head and Neck Oncology. MD Anderson Cancer Center, affiliated with the University of Texas, is one of the top cancer centers in the world.

Dr. Tsao is a specialist in the treatment of thoracic cancers, including pleural mesothelioma. This type of mesothelioma forms in the lining of the lungs.

Dr. Tsao’s work at the MD Anderson Cancer Center gives hope to patients and families by providing a better future for treatment.

“When I was in residency,” she says in a video on the MD Anderson Cancer Center website, “my grandmother unfortunately was diagnosed with lung cancer and passed away.”

She’s also an assistant professor of thoracic, head and neck oncology at the University of Texas. Another title she holds is Clinical Medical Director of the Department of Thoracic and Orthopedic Center.

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Medical Degrees and Residencies

    • Degree in Molecular Biology from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1994
    • Residency in Internal Medicine at Indiana University School of Medicine, 2001
    • Fellowship in Medical Oncology at University of Texas at Houston, 2004
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Certifications and Memberships

    • Member of the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation’s Scientific Advisory Board
    • Board‑certified in Medical Oncology by the American Board of Internal Medicine

Get Connected to Dr. Anne Tsao

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Dr. Tsao leads one of the top mesothelioma programs in the world. She’s a director at one of the best cancer centers for thoracic oncology. Dr. Tsao leads numerous clinical trials related to mesothelioma therapies.

Why Choose Dr. Tsao?

  • Leads studies related to mesothelioma
  • Helps patients seeking innovative treatments
  • Authored or co‑authored many medical articles







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Dr. Tsao’s Clinical Work

Since mesothelioma is such a rare disease, treatment should be catered to the individual. Dr. Tsao made advances in her research to create personalized treatment plans for patients.

“I feel very strongly that all patients should have an opportunity to have access to a clinical trial and prolong their life,” she says in the MD Anderson Cancer Center video.

Mesothelioma treatment includes surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and radiation therapy. Dr. Tsao is an expert resource in all of them.

She has also conducted studies on novel treatment methods as well as personalized care. She has also collaborated with mesothelioma specialists at other cancer centers to work towards finding a cure.

“I would love to have patients know that there is hope,” she says in the video.

Clinical Trials in the Works

Dr. Tsao currently leads several clinical trials for mesothelioma. One of them uses Opdivo and Yervoy prior to surgery, in hopes of increasing survival rates after surgery.

That trial is recruiting patients. Another recruiting trial is giving the drug Brentuximab Vedotin to unresectable cases.

Connect With Dr. Anne Tsao

You can connect with Dr. Tsao and the team at MD Anderson Cancer Center with our assistance. Email our registered nurse, Karen Ritter, for patient advocacy. Reach out to her at karen@mesotheliomaguide.com.

Sources & Author

  1. Anne S. Tsao, MD. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Retrieved from: https://faculty.mdanderson.org/profiles/anne_tsao.html. Accessed: 10/18/18.
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About the Writer, Karen Ritter, RN BSN

Karen Ritter, a registered nurse, is the lead patient advocate for Mesothelioma Guide. She has a deep passion for patient care, which includes helping patients and their families search for treatment options at the top mesothelioma cancer centers. She finds the balance between encouraging patients to receive the best treatment possible while enjoying their time with loved ones and friends. Karen is a valuable asset for patients due to her knowledge of mesothelioma, compassion for the victims of this disease and dedication to guiding patients through their treatment journey.