Xiao Wang, MD, is a medical oncologist who cares for adults with cancers of the digestive system, including cancers of the colon, rectum, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, liver, and bile ducts. He works with patients and their families throughout diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship.

Dr. Wang offers a range of treatments, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapies that act on specific changes in cancer cells. After patients complete their cancer treatments, Dr. Wang also manages ways to monitor for and reduce the risk of cancer recurrence. He aims to provide care that is patient-centered, compassionate, and thorough. He takes time to explain each person’s diagnosis and treatment options, helping them understand what to expect and supporting them in making decisions that fit their goals and values.

“I often tell patients that my main goal is to treat them, not just their cancer,” he says. “Cancer care can feel like a new language – a slew of acronyms and jargon – and I always try to remind myself that a ‘normal’ day for me could be the scariest and most overwhelming day of patients’ lives.”

As an instructor of medicine at Yale School of Medicine, Dr. Wang studies how to deliver precision cancer care more effectively. His research looks at gaps in the use of genetic tests on cancers to guide personalized treatments. He is part of Yale’s Cancer Outcomes, Public Policy and Effectiveness Research Center, where he examines how this type of testing affects treatment choices, patient outcomes, and the overall costs of cancer care. He is also focused on improving appropriate testing use at Yale so that patients can have the full benefit of modern technologies, new treatments, and clinical trials.

“My responsibility is to develop an effective, evidence-based treatment plan based on the latest scientific advances, and it is incredibly exciting to learn about and conduct new research to improve patient care,” he explains. “Just as important, though, is understanding what matters most to each person – their wishes, priorities, and fears, and the people and activities that bring them joy. I ask about these early so that our decisions reflect not only the disease, but also the individual. I want my patients to feel heard, respected, and supported, and to know that we are approaching their care as partners every step of the way.”

Dr. Wang earned his medical degree from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. He completed his residency in internal medicine at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, where he also worked as a hospitalist caring for people with blood and lymphatic cancers. He then completed fellowship training in medical oncology at Yale School of Medicine.