Anoop Patel, MD

I first became interested in cancer from an intellectual standpoint; I wanted to understand how and why our own bodies seem to betray us through the formation of cancer cells. But as I went through medical training, I began to see and empathize with the human side of this experience. Witnessing what my patients go through, and how intensely brain tumors can alter their lives, motivates me to learn more in the lab, to fill in the knowledge gaps so that we can improve treatment options and outcomes. Neurosurgery feels like one of the frontiers of medicine; there’s a lot we know, but also a lot of discoveries waiting to be made. I feel very lucky that my clinical practice and research efforts drive and support one another.

Cancer isn’t just a bunch of cells in a dish — it’s something that happens to people and families, changing the trajectory of their lives. A big part of what makes this career so rewarding is being able to make a difference for my patients and their loved ones. Sometimes, that difference is striking. I remember one family thanking me for “giving” them their dad back after I removed a brain tumor that had caused him to experience negative personality changes. More often, the ways I help patients are less dramatic but no less meaningful, such as coming up with a treatment plan that helps them reach important goals like spending more years with their grandchildren or going on a bucket-list trip. I learn as much as possible about each patient’s situation so that I can walk them through the unique set of challenges brain tumors present and create a care plan that aligns with their wishes and priorities.