"Fred Hutch Cancer Center" "Cures Start Here"

Mahesh Karandikar, MD, PhD

Provider

Mahesh Karandikar, MD, PhD

Physician, University of Washington Medical Center
Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine

Specialty:

Surgery

Fred Hutch at UW Medical Center - Montlake

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“My philosophy is that there is no place for pretense in medicine. I believe that excellent care is grounded in collaboration — among members of the health care team as well as patients and families.”

— Dr. Karandikar

What inspired you to specialize in neurosurgery?

Many of my family members are physicians, so I was exposed to the field of medicine at a very young age. However, it wasn’t until I started volunteering as a hospital orderly during college that I considered becoming a physician myself. In medical school, I became fascinated by the central nervous system — the brain and the spinal cord. Those two structures make us who we are, and there is still a lot that remains unknown about the workings of the central nervous system. At the same time, I found that I really enjoyed the intricate, hands-on nature of performing surgeries. My specialty allows me to blend those two passions, exploring the mysteries of the brain and spine while using surgical techniques to help people who are facing cancer and other challenging conditions.

How do you like to work with patients?

My philosophy is that there is no place for pretense in medicine. I believe that excellent care is grounded in collaboration — among members of the health care team as well as patients and families. During our consultations, I welcome questions, and I encourage people to share not only what they already know about their condition and treatment but also what their health experiences have been like thus far. Through having in-depth discussions and learning from one another, we can make decisions that align with your needs and goals.

Provider Background

Area of Clinical Practice
Neurosurgery, spinal cord tumors, other neurological conditions

I am a board-certified neurosurgeon who specializes in treating patients with conditions affecting the brain and spine. At Fred Hutch, I provide surgical care for patients with both primary and metastatic spinal tumors. Before joining UW Medicine and Fred Hutch, I spent nine years in private practice.

My research interests include studying the effects of metabolic switching on neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer’s or hydrocephalus. Triggered by a combination of intermittent fasting and physical activity, metabolic switching occurs when the body transitions from storing sugar and fat to processing them for fuel. Preliminary studies show that metabolic switching may support brain health and functionality. Another area of interest is developing better treatments for degenerative spinal conditions.

Diseases Treated

Brain and Spinal Cord Cancers

Languages

English

Education, Experience and Certifications

Medical Degree
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

Residency
University of Washington Medical Center, Neurological Surgery

Fellowship
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pediatric Neurosurgery; Johns Hopkins University, Orthopedic Spine Surgery

Board Certification
Neurological Surgery, 2017, American Board of Neurological Surgery

Other
Internship, University of Washington Medical Center

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.

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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. Karandikar's Publications

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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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