Jonathan L. Wright, MD
Dr. Wright specializes in urologic oncology, treating bladder, prostate, kidney, and testicular cancers.Patient Care Philosophy:
“Treating bladder cancer requires an integrative team approach that involves the patient, the patient’s family, the surgeon, the nurses, the medical oncologist, and in some instances, the radiation oncologist. When a patient requires a cystectomy, this team expands to include physical and occupation therapists, stomal therapists, and social workers. What we strive to provide is a comprehensive approach for the patient that helps them to navigate the physical and emotional challenges that come with a large cancer surgery combined with delicate reconstructive surgery. With the regionalization of bladder cancer care, where fewer and fewer centers perform radical cystectomies, we have seen firsthand the advantages of being a high volume center where the entire staff is committed to, and experienced with the unique issues surrounding caring for the patient with bladder cancer.”
Title
- Assistant Professor, Department of Urology, University of Washington School of Medicine
- Affiliate Researcher, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Clinical Expertise
Radical cystectomy (removal of the bladder): Dr. Wright performs this procedure in the traditional open surgical approach and robotically.
Bladder reconstruction: Dr. Wright performs orthotopic neobladders, continent cutaneous reservoirs (CURs), and ileal conduits.
Experience
In addition to teaching surgical skills, he is interested in teaching residents the importance of interpersonal skills at the bedside. From a research perspective, he teaches epidemiologic and data analytic techniques to help residents develop independent research skills.
Education And Training
- Medical Degree, with honors - University of Washington, 2001
- Internship, General Surgery - University of Washington, 2001- 2002 Residency, Urology - University of Washington, 2002 – 2006
- Chief Resident, Urology – University of Washington, 2006 – 2007
- Fellowship in Urologic Oncology- University of Washington Dept. of Urology, 2007 – 2009
- Master Public Health, University of Washington School of Public Health, 2005
More Information
Dr. Wright has performed research in different aspects of bladder cancer, including characterizing the natural history of rare bladder tumor subtypes (adenocarcinomas and sarcomas) and the risk factors for developing tumors in the kidney and ureter after bladder cancer. He has studied the role of extent of lymph node dissection on survival in patients with bladder cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes. Finally, he has written on the evaluating quality of life in patients with bladder cancer. These publications can be seen below.
1. JL Wright, MP Porter, CI Li, PH Lange, DW Lin. “Differences in survival among patients with urachal and non-urachal adenocarcinomas of the bladder.” Cancer 107(4): 721-728; 2006.
2. JL Wright, PC Black, A Brown, JA Gomez, MP. Porter, A Kamat, CP Dinney, DW Lin. “Differences in survival between patients with sarcomatoid carcinoma, carcinosarcoma and urothelial carcinoma of the bladder.” J Urol 178(6):2302-2306; 2007.
3. JL Wright, MP Porter. “Quality of life assessment in bladder cancer patients.” Nat Clin Pract Urol 4(3):147-154; 2007.
4. JL Wright, DW Lin, MP Porter. “The association between extent of lymphadenctomy and survival among patients with lymph node metastases undergoing radical cystectomy.” Cancer 112(11):2401-8; 2008.
5. JL Wright, J Hotaling, MP Porter. “Upper tract transitional cell carcinoma after primary bladder cancer: a 15 year analysis.” J Urol 181(3):1035-9; 2009.
Dr. Wright’s present research interests in bladder cancer include a study comparing the different chemotherapy treatments prior to cystectomy for bladder cancer in addition to functional and quality of life outcomes after cystectomy.