Sajid A. Khan, MD, is a surgical oncologist who treats both malignant (cancer) and premalignant tumors. He specializes in complex general surgical oncology and general surgery, and is dedicated to improving the lives of cancer patients through his clinical practice and research endeavors. He specializes in the surgical management of tumors that affect the pancreas, liver, bile duct, gallbladder, stomach, colon and rectum. He also provides surgery for patients with skin cancer and soft tissue sarcomas.
Dr. Khan believes patients do best when medical professionals work cohesively as a team. He appreciates being able to draw upon the expertise of a variety of specialists to collaborate in identifying the best approach to each patient’s case. He uses minimally invasive surgical techniques whenever possible.
He says one of the most important aspects of his work as a surgeon—especially one who treats cancer—is his ability to develop relationships with patients and their family before any operation. Dr. Khan takes the time to get to know his patients, providing each with a detailed description of their diagnosis and an explanation of how treatment will proceed. He is careful to answer all of their questions about the surgery and other treatments they will undergo as part of their multidisciplinary cancer treatment plan.
“I tell my patients that my care for them is a long-term commitment that extends well beyond the perioperative period,” Dr. Khan says. “I communicate with other cancer specialists in Yale Medicine to provide a comprehensive, team approach to their care.”
As an associate professor of surgery (oncology), Dr. Khan is also devoted to performing research that will help improve care for cancer patients. “I am very passionate about my work studying the tumor biology of cancer metastasis,” he says. He is currently working on research to identify which patients with a limited number of metastases (oligometastasis) will benefit most from curative therapies, including surgery.
