Fed Ghali, MD, is a urologic oncologist who specializes in treating cancers of the bladder, ureter, kidney, and testis.
Dr. Ghali became interested in the specialty of urology early in his first year of medical school. “I watched a urologic surgeon build a bladder out of intestine and I was blown away,” he says. “I knew I found the right field where I could do challenging surgery, make a meaningful impact on people’s lives, and still do research that I love.”
When it comes to working with patients, Dr. Ghali says he keeps in mind the unique experience each patient is having with their illness. “This is important, even as we treat and learn from many patients with similar diseases,” he says. “Having the benefits of being a high-volume cancer center while recognizing the individual struggle of each patient is key to high quality and compassionate care. Each patient is more than a statistic.”
Dr. Ghali says he also recognizes that the patient in front of him in his office “is often consumed by this new and devastating thing we are trying to treat. I strive to be compassionate and conscious of what they are feeling. I share all the pertinent information I have with patients and avoid sugarcoating or withholding data. Patients are more comfortable when they feel they have power, are in control, and not alone.”
An active researcher, Dr. Ghali’s interests include clinical trial design and biomarker development, which is identifying molecules that signal what is going on with a disease in a patient’s body.
“New biomarkers are urgently needed in bladder cancer, not just to signal the presence of cancer, but to help us monitor response to therapy, and ultimately guide patients into more individualized treatment options” he says. “At Yale, we are working hard to bring cutting edge clinical trials and scientific discoveries to patients with urologic cancers.”
