Dr.Β HeatherΒ Wakelee
MD, FASCO
Professor of Medicine β Oncology & Division Chief, Medical Oncology
corporate_fareStanford Medicine / Stanford Cancer Institute, California
Heather Wakelee
MD, FASCO
Dr. Heather A. Wakelee is the Winston Chen and Phyllis Huang Professor of Medicine β Oncology, Deputy Director of the Stanford Cancer Institute, and Division Chief of Medical Oncology at Stanford Medicine. She is one of the foremost thoracic oncologists in the United States, with over two decades of dedicated clinical and research work in lung cancer, thymoma, thymic carcinoma, and mesothelioma.
Dr. Wakelee earned her MD from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in 1996 and completed both internal medicine residency and medical oncology fellowship training at Stanford University, joining the Stanford faculty in 2003. Over more than 20 years she has developed major research programmes in lung cancer and thymic malignancies spanning clinical trials, translational research, and population sciences. Her academic contributions have accumulated more than 40,000 citations with an h-index above 90. She is a principal investigator on numerous clinical trials, and her research has advanced understanding of adjuvant and perioperative immunotherapy strategies in early-stage non-small cell lung cancer, as well as lung cancer in never-smokers and sex and ethnic differences in thoracic malignancies. She is board certified in medical oncology by the American Board of Internal Medicine.
CancerFax can coordinate medical-record review and consultation support for international patients seeking an opinion from Dr. Wakelee at Stanford Medicine, subject to hospital availability and case acceptance.
Why Consider Dr. Heather Wakelee?
Dr. Wakelee combines deep clinical expertise in thoracic oncology with one of the highest academic research outputs in her field, making her a sought-after specialist for complex lung cancer, thymoma, and mesothelioma cases.
Areas of Specialisation
Thoracic oncology expertise spanning lung cancer, thymoma, thymic carcinoma, and mesothelioma, supported by a leading clinical trials programme at Stanford.
Dr. Wakelee's clinical focus covers the full spectrum of thoracic malignancies, with particular depth in systemic therapies and molecularly guided treatment strategies.
Lung Cancer
Comprehensive medical oncology for non-small cell and small cell lung cancer, including advanced, early-stage, and never-smoker presentations.
- arrow_rightAdjuvant and neoadjuvant systemic therapy planning
- arrow_rightPerioperative immunotherapy strategies
- arrow_rightBiomarker-driven targeted therapy selection
- arrow_rightAdvanced-stage disease management
- arrow_rightSystemic chemotherapy and immunotherapy combinations
- arrow_rightClinical trial access for eligible patients
Immunotherapy & Targeted Therapy
Evidence-based use of checkpoint inhibitors and molecularly guided agents for thoracic malignancies.
- arrow_rightPD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitor protocols including pembrolizumab and atezolizumab
- arrow_rightImmunotherapy in adjuvant and perioperative settings
- arrow_rightTreatment planning informed by tumour biomarker profiling
- arrow_rightMolecularly guided treatment selection based on mutation status
- arrow_rightPrecision oncology approaches for EGFR, ALK, ROS1, and other drivers
Thymic Malignancies & Mesothelioma
Specialist medical oncology for rare thoracic tumours including thymoma, thymic carcinoma, and mesothelioma.
- arrow_rightSystemic treatment planning for thymoma and thymic carcinoma
- arrow_rightResearch programme leadership in thymic malignancies at Stanford
- arrow_rightInternational Thymic Malignancies Interest Group involvement
- arrow_rightMedical oncology for pleural mesothelioma
- arrow_rightMultidisciplinary planning within the Stanford thoracic oncology programme
Procedures & Clinical Services
Medical oncology services for thoracic cancers at Stanford Medicine
Dr. Wakelee offers comprehensive medical oncology services for lung cancer and other thoracic malignancies, including access to investigational therapeutics through Stanford's clinical trial programme.
Lung Cancer Medical Oncology
Medical OncologyFull-spectrum systemic treatment planning and care for non-small cell and small cell lung cancer at all disease stages.
Targeted & Investigational Therapy
Targeted TherapyPrecision oncology and access to investigational therapeutics through Stanford's clinical trials programme.
Thymic Malignancy & Mesothelioma Treatment
Complex DiseaseSpecialist medical oncology for thymoma, thymic carcinoma, and mesothelioma within a multidisciplinary setting.
Second Opinion β Thoracic Oncology
Second OpinionExpert second-opinion review for lung cancer, thymoma, and mesothelioma diagnoses and treatment plans.
Research & Publications
Principal investigator-level contributions to thoracic oncology, lung cancer clinical trials, and thymic malignancy research
Dr. Wakelee is one of the most cited thoracic oncologists in the United States, with over 40,000 citations and an h-index above 90. She is principal investigator on numerous clinical trials and has built research programmes across clinical, translational, and population science domains at Stanford.
Dr. Wakelee's full publication list is available on Google Scholar and PubMed. A curated list and trial participation details may also be available on request through Stanford Medicine.
Education & Training
Dr. Wakelee completed her undergraduate degree in molecular biology at Princeton University, received her MD from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and undertook both residency and fellowship training at Stanford University, where she has remained as a faculty member and leader since 2003.
Clinical Experience
Dr. Wakelee joined the Stanford faculty in 2003 and has since built one of the leading thoracic oncology programmes in the United States. Since 2021 she has served as both Division Chief of Medical Oncology and Deputy Director of the Stanford Cancer Institute.
Languages & International
Dr. Wakelee consults in the following language.
CancerFax can coordinate professional medical interpreter support for international patients consulting with Dr. Wakelee at Stanford Medicine.
CancerFax can coordinate professional medical interpreter support for international patients where required.
How CancerFax Helps You Access Dr. Heather Wakelee
CancerFax is a specialist cancer patient-navigation platform. We help international patients prepare structured medical summaries, assess treatment eligibility, and connect directly with Dr. Heather Wakelee's team β with full coordination from initial inquiry to consultation.
Medical Report Review
Free review of your pathology results, imaging, molecular profiling, and treatment history β prepared as a structured clinical summary for Dr. Heather Wakelee's team.
Treatment Eligibility Screening
CancerFax screens your case for eligibility for treatments and clinical programmes available through Dr. Heather Wakelee before you travel, so you arrive with a clear pathway.
Case Submission
We coordinate direct case submission to Dr. Heather Wakelee's department, including all documentation required for clinical review and appointment scheduling.
Appointment & Consultation Coordination
CancerFax manages appointment scheduling with Dr. Heather Wakelee's team, confirming availability and aligning timelines with your travel plans.
Travel, Visa & Logistics Support
We prepare visa invitation letters, provide hospital-proximity accommodation guidance, and coordinate airport transfers for international patients.
Follow-Up & Continuity of Care
After your consultation or treatment, CancerFax facilitates communication between Dr. Heather Wakelee's team and your home oncologist for seamless post-treatment follow-up.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Heather Wakelee
Dr. Heather Wakelee specialises in thoracic malignancies, with a primary focus on non-small cell lung cancer, small cell lung cancer, thymoma, thymic carcinoma, mesothelioma, and other mediastinal masses. She has particular expertise in immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and clinical trial-based treatment strategies for these cancers.
Dr. Wakelee is based at Stanford Medicine and Stanford Health Care in Stanford, California, USA. She serves as Division Chief of Medical Oncology and Deputy Director of the Stanford Cancer Institute.
CancerFax can coordinate medical-record review and consultation support for international patients seeking an opinion from Dr. Wakelee at Stanford Medicine, subject to hospital availability and individual case acceptance. Appointment availability and teleconsultation options should be confirmed with Stanford Health Care directly.
Submit your medical reports through CancerFax using the report submission form. The CancerFax team will review the documents, prepare the case for submission, and coordinate the next steps with Stanford Health Care, subject to availability and case suitability.
A second-opinion request can be submitted through CancerFax with the patient's pathology reports, imaging, prior treatment history, and relevant molecular test results. The consultation format and availability are subject to Stanford Health Care's scheduling and case acceptance process.
Yes. Dr. Wakelee is a principal investigator on numerous clinical trials at Stanford Cancer Institute, including landmark trials in adjuvant and perioperative immunotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer. Eligible patients may be evaluated for enrolment in active trials at Stanford, subject to individual eligibility criteria.
Connect with Heather Wakelee Today
Share your medical reports for a free preliminary review. Our patient coordinators will help you understand your options and arrange a direct consultation.
Medical Disclaimer: Information on this page is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making any medical decisions.