Top Doctor
Harveshp D. Mogal, MD, MS, FACS, DABS, FSSO
Located at
Every patient I treat affects me in one way or another, but I recall one patient in particular who underwent surgery to treat an aggressive form of appendix cancer. Six months after surgery, when the patient came to see me in my office, his scans and labs indicated he was cancer-free. His wife teared up and thanked me for pursuing surgery when others would not have, for taking care of them through all the ups and downs, and for getting them to the point where they could finally enjoy an excellent quality of life. While not every story has a happy ending (such is the nature of cancer), it is moments like this that fuel my desire to continue doing what I do.
Every single day, I see patients who are filled with anxiety about the implications their cancer diagnosis will have on their present and future. One of the factors that affects outcomes the most is the quality of the relationship between patients and their care team. My relationships with patients are based on empathy, teamwork and evidence-based care. From personal experience, I know that a cancer diagnosis affects the entire family — including loved ones, who are left with the difficult task of caretaking. I strive to put myself in their shoes and walk with them as they navigate this path. I continue to be inspired by my patients' experiences and stories, the determination and hope with which they approach their treatment, and the trust they place in me as their surgeon.
Provider background
Specialty: Surgery
Gastrointestinal cancers, hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy, sarcomas, skin cancers
I am a surgical oncologist who treats patients with gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, soft tissue tumors, neuroendocrine tumors, melanoma and other diseases. During my fellowship at Wake Forest University, I developed expertise in hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). This surgical therapy is used to treat abdominal cancers that have spread to the lining of the abdominal cavity, known as the peritoneum. HIPEC involves an operation to remove all visible tumors, followed by the delivery of heated chemotherapy directly inside the abdomen to destroy any remaining microscopic cancer cells.
In addition to providing care at Fred Hutch, I conduct clinical research focusing on the outcomes of patients who undergo surgical treatment for peritoneal malignancies and sarcomas. I also serve as the director of regional cancer therapies at UW Medicine.
Diseases treated
Stories
Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) provides an important treatment option that can improve survival for some patients with advanced peritoneal cancer. Managing this disease — and determining whether and when to use HIPEC — requires an experienced, coordinated team of specialists.
It’s a fairly universal experience to feel stuffed to the brim after Thanksgiving dinner. So Angie Ballou wasn’t overly concerned when her stomach started hurting, or even when she threw up after her holiday meal in 2017. “I figured I ate too much,” says Ballou, 47, who was living in Marysville, Washington, at the time.
Research
Clinical trials
We make promising new treatments available to you through studies called clinical trials led by Fred Hutch doctors. Many of these trials at Fred Hutch have led to FDA-approved treatments and have improved standards of care globally. Together, you and your doctor can decide if a study is right for you.
Press
Our providers are often asked to give their medical expertise for press and news publications. Read articles by or about this Fred Hutch provider.
Your care team
Insurance
Fred Hutch accepts most national private health insurance plans as well as Medicare. We also accept Medicaid for people from Washington, Alaska, Montana and Idaho. We are working to ensure that everyone, no matter what their financial situation, has access to the care they need.
