Affiliated Treatment Facilities
Contact Information
Comprehensive Cancer Center
1500 East Duarte Road
Duarte, CA 91010
01. Doctor Overview
Doctor Overview
Much of Dr. West’s research focuses on pleural mesothelioma and other cancers of the lungs, and he has led numerous clinical trials in search of better treatment options for the disease. He has also completed studies on the outcomes of induction chemotherapy, extrapleural pneumonectomy and adjuvant radiation therapy for malignant mesothelioma patients.
Addressing the needs of individual patients remains at the forefront of Dr. West’s philosophy of care. “My primary goal is to provide optimal balance of appropriate, aggressive treatment and a good quality of life,” he said. “This requires individualized plans based on a patient’s particular goals and medical issues.” For many patients, Dr. West explains, a treatment plan will include a chemotherapy combination of cisplatin and Alimta®, but there are alternatives for patients who can’t tolerate that regimen, such as the often better-tolerated carboplatin.
In addition to his work in lung cancer, Dr. West conducts clinical research in prostate cancer and genitourinary oncology, a field of oncology concerned with bladder, kidney and testicular cancers. In 2007, Dr. West also founded a nonprofit medical education forum called Global Resource for Advancing Cancer Education (GRACE), which addresses a range of cancer topics and provides educational materials for its members. He continues to serve as the organization’s CEO. Dr. West is dedicated to improving cancer care and research. Addressing the needs of individual patients remains at the forefront of Dr. West’s philosophy of care.
Dr. West is an Associate Clinical Professor in Medical Oncology at City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center. Before his current role, Dr. West directed the Thoracic Oncology Program at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle.
02. Fast Facts
Doctor Fast Facts
Main Specialty: Oncology
Other Interests & Specialties: Hematologic oncology, general oncology, genitourinary oncology and thoracic cancers.
Certifications, Awards & Accolades: American Board of Internal Medicine Certification in Medical Oncology, Super Doc Award
Education & Experience:
- Residency for Internal Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital
- Fellowship for Medical Oncology at University of Washington
- Internship for Internal Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital
- Medical Degree from Harvard Medical School
03. Publications
Publications
Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Cancer Care. JAMA Oncology. January 2018;4(1):139. doi: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2017.3120
Gemcitabine and pemetrexed administered in rapid sequence as front-line chemotherapy for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: a phase II clinical trial.Annals of Oncology. May 2009;20(5):850-6. doi: 10.1093/annonc/mdn715
Histologic considerations for individualized systemic therapy approaches for the management of non-small cell lung cancer. CHEST. October 2009;136(4):1112-1118. doi: 10.1378/chest.08-2484
Impact of the ASCO 2007 Presentation of HOG Lun 01-24 / USO-023 on the Prescribing Plans of American Medical Oncologists for Patients with Stage IIIB Non-small Cell Lung Cancer. Journal of Thoracic Oncology. August 2009;4(8):983-987. doi: 10.1097/JTO.0b013e3181adeefb
