"Fred Hutch Cancer Center" "Cures Start Here"

Mara Y. Roth, MD

Provider

Mara Y. Roth, MD

Physician, Fred Hutch
Associate Professor, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition, University of Washington School of Medicine

Specialty:

Endocrinology

South Lake Union Clinic
Fred Hutch at UW Medical Center - Montlake

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“I enjoy helping patients understand the diagnosis and treatment of endocrine cancers so they can choose a path forward that matches their life goals.”

— Dr. Roth

Why did you decide to specialize in endocrinology?

Before I became an endocrinologist, I worked as a generalist in a rural hospital in New Zealand for a year. I met a woman who was the matriarch of a large family. She had an endocrine tumor that was causing her body to produce excess hormones. As a result, she had been admitted to the hospital over and over again for symptoms related to the tumor. While the treatment was a fairly straightforward surgery, she had to travel four hours away to get it. It was a big decision for her and her family; we held several family meetings, with up to 80 people in the hospital’s auditorium, to talk the situation through. It was so gratifying when everyone agreed that she should get the treatment and essentially be cured of this endocrine cancer. During this time in my career, I met a lot of people like my patient who were suffering from untreated endocrine diseases. I decided then and there that I wanted to learn more about the endocrine system so that I could help people with these health problems feel better.

What do you think patients appreciate about working with you?

Endocrine cancers tend to be rare. Many endocrinologists don’t often see patients with these cancers in their practices; however, they are my specialty. I am involved in the development of national treatment guidelines for endocrine cancers, and I stay abreast of what the latest research indicates. I think patients appreciate my level of expertise and knowledge in this area of medicine. I enjoy helping patients understand the diagnosis and treatment of endocrine cancers so they can choose a path forward that matches their life goals. Most people with these diseases require long-term monitoring, which means I get to develop strong relationships with my patients that last for decades.

Provider Background

Area of Clinical Practice
Head and neck cancers

I am a board-certified endocrinologist who cares for patients with tumors or other diseases of the endocrine system. This complex system regulates many functions in the body, such as sleep and digestion, through the production of hormones. Endocrine tumors affect glands that produce these hormones, causing our normal bodily processes to go awry. At Fred Hutch, I serve as the co-director of the endocrine tumor program. I also see patients at the Endocrine and Diabetes Care Center at UW Medical Center-Roosevelt.

My research at Fred Hutch is focused on thyroid cancer. I am studying new advanced therapies for metastatic thyroid cancer and examining thyroid cancer outcomes with the goal of better understanding survivorship concerns and updating national treatment guidelines for this disease. Another of my research interests is male reproductive physiology. I am a member of the Endocrine Society, the American Thyroid Association and the American Society of Andrology.

Diseases Treated

Head and Neck Cancers

Pheochromocytoma

Endocrine Tumors

Parathyroid Cancer

Languages

English

Education, Experience and Certifications

Undergraduate Degree
Brown University

Medical Degree
Brown University Medical School

Residency
University of Washington, Internal Medicine

Fellowship
University of Washington, Endocrinology

Board Certification
Endocrinology, 2010, American Board of Internal Medicine

Other
Internship, University of Washington

Awards

Seattle Met's 2023 Top Doctors award
Dr. Roth has received this peer-nominated award for exceptional patient care for multiple years.

Stories

All news

Diagnosed with thyroid cancer, new mom counted the days until she could have another child

Diagnosed with thyroid cancer, new mom counted the days until she could have another child Radioactive iodine treatment required her to wean her baby November 14, 2024

Endocrine Tumor Program at Fred Hutch launches survivorship clinic

Endocrine Tumor Program at Fred Hutch launches survivorship clinic New clinic provides long-term care for thyroid tumors and endocrine immune-related adverse events August 25, 2023

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Many of our Fred Hutch physicians conduct ongoing research to improve standards of patient care. Their work is evaluated by other physicians and selected for publication to the United States National Library of Medicine, the largest medical library in the world. See scientific papers this Fred Hutch physician has written.

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