Julie Kang, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor of Therapeutic RadiologyCards
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Titles
Assistant Professor of Therapeutic Radiology
Biography
Dr. Julie Kang is a board-certified radiation oncologist and Assistant Professor of Therapeutic Radiology. She joins Smilow Cancer Hospital Care Center at Trumbull from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Dr. Kang specializes in the treatment of head and neck, prostate, bladder, and skin cancers, among others. She has authored numerous articles focused on optimizing outcomes and decreasing toxicity for people with these diseases, and has extensive experience conducting clinical trials utilizing immunotherapy and personalized medicine in these malignancies. She has expertise in state-of-the-art techniques including intensity-modulated radiation therapy, image-guided radiation therapy, stereotactic body radiation therapy, and adaptive radiation therapy.
“Long before I became a cancer physician, I was the daughter of a cancer patient,” she says. “I learned that the greatest comforts come in the forms of compassion, knowledge, and working together towards a common goal. I became inspired to be a radiation oncologist who empowers patients by providing education, working with them and their care teams to make personalized treatment plans, and participating in research that helps us not only deliver the highest standards of care--but also raise them.”
Appointments
Therapeutic Radiology
Assistant ProfessorPrimary
Other Departments & Organizations
Education & Training
- Residency
- UCLA, University of CA Los Angeles (2015)
- MD
- University of Southern California (2010)
- PhD
- University of Southern California (2008)
- BS
- Yale University (2002)
Research
Overview
Medical Research Interests
ORCID
0000-0001-9773-5481
Research at a Glance
Publications Timeline
Research Interests
Head and Neck Neoplasms
Prostatic Neoplasms
Publications
Featured Publications
Consensuses, controversies, and future directions in treatment deintensification for human papillomavirus‐associated oropharyngeal cancer
Kang J, Yu Y, Chen L, Zakeri K, Gelblum D, McBride S, Riaz N, Tsai C, Kriplani A, Hung T, Fetten J, Dunn L, Ho A, Boyle J, Ganly I, Singh B, Sherman E, Pfister D, Wong R, Lee N. Consensuses, controversies, and future directions in treatment deintensification for human papillomavirus‐associated oropharyngeal cancer. CA A Cancer Journal For Clinicians 2022, 73: 164-197. PMID: 36305841, PMCID: PMC9992119, DOI: 10.3322/caac.21758.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsTransoral robotic surgeryOropharyngeal cancerDeintensification strategiesHuman papillomavirus-associated oropharyngeal cancerSubstantial long-term morbidityHPV-positive oropharyngeal cancerNational database studyHuman papillomavirus infectionLong-term morbidityThird of patientsDe-escalation trialsLevel I evidenceStandard of careCurrent treatment standardsOptimal patient outcomesDeintensification trialsTreatment deintensificationAdjuvant therapyHPV statusPapillomavirus infectionFavorable prognosisI evidenceMedical oncologyTreatment indicationsCommon cancerOropharyngeal Carcinoma
Husain Z, Kang J, Lee N, Poon I. Oropharyngeal Carcinoma. Practical Guides In Radiation Oncology 2022, 15-25. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-99590-4_2.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsLong-term treatment toxicityOropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomaCurative treatment optionSquamous cell carcinomaPatterns of failureElective coverageOropharyngeal carcinomaTreatment toxicityNeck malignanciesAccurate target delineationCell carcinomaDisease stageTreatment optionsCurative potentialPhysical examCommon headClinical scenariosRadiation oncologistsSurgical anatomyTarget volumeTarget delineationVolume coverageCarcinomaMultimodal imagingPrimary targetLarynx Cancer
Fan D, Kang J, Yu Y, Cahlon O, Riaz N, Lee N. Larynx Cancer. Practical Guides In Radiation Oncology 2022, 45-60. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-99590-4_4.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPostoperative radiotherapyLarynx cancerEarly stage squamous cell carcinomaOrgan preservation therapyEarly-stage diseaseLymph node metastasisAdvanced larynx cancerSquamous cell carcinomaStandard of careHigh-risk casesPre-treatment evaluationCommon clinical scenariosThin-cut CTPET/CTDefinitive chemoradiotherapyAdvanced diseaseLocoregional recurrencePreservation therapyGlottic larynxNode metastasisSubglottic extensionCell carcinomaLaryngeal cancerPhysical examOrgan preservationOropharyngeal Cancer Early Outcomes and Challenges During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Kang J, Wu Y, Rybkin A, Yu Y, Chen L, Zakeri K, McBride S, Riaz N, Tsai C, Gelblum D, Wong R, Sherman E, Pfister D, Lee N. Oropharyngeal Cancer Early Outcomes and Challenges During the COVID-19 Pandemic. International Journal Of Radiation Oncology • Biology • Physics 2021, 111: e412. PMCID: PMC8536212, DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2021.07.1185.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDefinitive radiation therapyCOVID cohortRadiation therapyMore patientsAdvanced diseaseMonth outcomesPC cohortNew patientsCurative-intent radiation therapyGrade 3 dysphagiaOropharyngeal cancer outcomesCancer-specific survivalSupportive care needsKaplan-Meier methodLong-term outcomesDiagnosis/treatmentCOVID-19 pandemicMATERIAL/METHODSPerson consultsRT startClinicopathologic factorsOPC patientsHistorical cohortMedian timeEarly outcomesDose and Volume De-Escalation for Elective Nodal Regions in Patients With Human Papillomavirus (HPV)-Positive Oropharyngeal Cancer (OPC) Undergoing Curative-Intent Concurrent Chemoradiation (CCRT)
Tsai C, McBride S, Riaz N, Kang J, Spielsinger D, Waldenberg T, Yu Y, Chen L, Zakeri K, Wong R, Dunn L, Sherman E, Lee N. Dose and Volume De-Escalation for Elective Nodal Regions in Patients With Human Papillomavirus (HPV)-Positive Oropharyngeal Cancer (OPC) Undergoing Curative-Intent Concurrent Chemoradiation (CCRT). International Journal Of Radiation Oncology • Biology • Physics 2021, 111: s142-s143. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2021.07.321.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsConcurrent chemoradiationDe-escalation strategiesOropharyngeal cancerGross diseaseNodal recurrenceDisease recurrenceOPC patientsLevel IbHPV-positive OPC patientsLocoregional recurrence-free survivalElective nodal regionsFavorable locoregional controlFeeding tube dependenceHigh-dose cisplatinPositive oropharyngeal cancerPrimary concurrent chemoradiationRecurrence-free survivalNode-positive neckFeeding tube placementLong-term resultsNode-negative neckDe-escalation approachMATERIAL/METHODSHigh control ratesRadiation treatment plans
2025
Prognosis of p16 and Human Papillomavirus Discordant Oropharyngeal Cancers and the Exploration of Using Natural Language Processing to Analyze Free-Text Pathology Reports
Shin E, Choi J, Hung T, Poon C, Riaz N, Yu Y, Kang J. Prognosis of p16 and Human Papillomavirus Discordant Oropharyngeal Cancers and the Exploration of Using Natural Language Processing to Analyze Free-Text Pathology Reports. JCO Clinical Cancer Informatics 2025, 9: e2400177. PMID: 39965177, DOI: 10.1200/cci-24-00177.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsProgression-free survivalCancer-specific survivalOropharyngeal cancerHPV testingPathology reportsTreatment de-escalationCurative radiation therapyHPV+ oropharyngeal cancerPrimary end pointMinority of patientsPositive predictive valueStandard-of-careCancer-related deathsIn situ hybridizationStatistically significant differenceP16 statusP16-negativeHPV statusRadiation therapyInferior prognosisOverall survivalConsecutive patientsAcademic cancer centerDiscordant tumorsTreatment deintensification
2024
Outcomes of Reduced Elective Nodal Radiation Dose for Laryngeal, Hypopharyngeal and p16 Negative Oropharyngeal Cancers
Zakeri K, Shang T, Yu Y, Chen L, Shamseddine A, Kang J, Tsai C, Sherman E, Wong R, McBride S, Gelblum D, Riaz N, Lee N. Outcomes of Reduced Elective Nodal Radiation Dose for Laryngeal, Hypopharyngeal and p16 Negative Oropharyngeal Cancers. International Journal Of Radiation Oncology • Biology • Physics 2024, 120: e807. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2024.07.1772.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsP16-negative oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomaNegative oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomasOropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomaDistant recurrenceSquamous cell carcinomaNodal recurrenceRadiotherapy doseLocoregional recurrenceP16 statusCell carcinomaHypopharynx cancerP16-negative oropharyngeal cancerHead and neck cancer patientsRadiation doseElective nodal volumesP16-negative diseaseNode-positive diseaseDecrease treatment toxicityNeck cancer patientsPrimary outcome measureConcurrent cetuximabConcurrent chemotherapyLocoregional controlMedian followNodal diseaseLong-Term Results of External Beam Radiation Therapy (RT) with or without Concurrent Chemotherapy in Loco-Regionally Advanced or Recurrent Differentiated Thyroid Cancer (DTC)
Choi J, Sherman E, Youssef I, Kang J, Zakeri K, Yu Y, Chen L, Shamseddine A, McBride S, Riaz N, Hung T, Wong W, Michel L, Dunn L, Ho A, Tuttle R, Morris L, Shaha A, Wong R, Lee N. Long-Term Results of External Beam Radiation Therapy (RT) with or without Concurrent Chemotherapy in Loco-Regionally Advanced or Recurrent Differentiated Thyroid Cancer (DTC). International Journal Of Radiation Oncology • Biology • Physics 2024, 120: e743-e744. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2024.07.1633.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsResults of external beam radiation therapyLocoregional controlRadioactive iodine therapyOverall survivalMultivariate analysisIodine therapyAdvanced diseaseBackward stepwise Cox regressionExternal beam radiation therapyRecurrent differentiated thyroid cancerProton beam RTBeam radiation therapyIntensity-modulated RTSingle-institution experienceTreated with RTMedian follow-upKaplan-Meier methodDay of RTStepwise Cox regressionGroup of patientsLong-term resultsBeam RTLate toxicityNon-medullaryConcurrent chemotherapyHypoxia-Directed Treatment of Human Papillomavirus–Related Oropharyngeal Carcinoma
Lee N, Sherman E, Schöder H, Wray R, Boyle J, Singh B, Grkovski M, Paudyal R, Cunningham L, Zhang Z, Hatzoglou V, Katabi N, Diplas B, Han J, Imber B, Pham K, Yu Y, Zakeri K, McBride S, Kang J, Tsai C, Chen L, Gelblum D, Shah J, Ganly I, Cohen M, Cracchiolo J, Morris L, Dunn L, Michel L, Fetten J, Kripani A, Pfister D, Ho A, Shukla-Dave A, Humm J, Powell S, Li B, Reis-Filho J, Diaz L, Wong R, Riaz N. Hypoxia-Directed Treatment of Human Papillomavirus–Related Oropharyngeal Carcinoma. Journal Of Clinical Oncology 2024, 42: 940-950. PMID: 38241600, PMCID: PMC10927322, DOI: 10.1200/jco.23.01308.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsProgression-free survivalCurative-intent chemoradiotherapyLocoregional controlOropharyngeal carcinomaOverall survivalGrade 3Adverse eventsTumor hypoxiaHuman papillomavirus (HPV)-related oropharyngeal carcinomasHPV-related oropharyngeal carcinomaMedian follow-up timeHypoxic tumorsSurgical removal of diseaseAcute grade 3Late grade 3HPV-related carcinomasPhase II studyFollow-up timeMeasure tumor hypoxiaRemoval of diseaseDefinitive chemoradiotherapyStandard chemoradiotherapyGross diseaseLate dysphagiaOS rates
2023
Concurrent carboplatin and paclitaxel definitive radiation therapy for locally advanced head and neck cancer
Han J, Zakeri K, Raab G, Hesse J, Shamseddine A, Chen L, Yu Y, Kang J, McBride S, Riaz N, Tsai C, Gelblum D, Sherman E, Wong R, Michel L, Lee N. Concurrent carboplatin and paclitaxel definitive radiation therapy for locally advanced head and neck cancer. Head & Neck 2023, 45: 2207-2216. PMID: 37439286, PMCID: PMC10981461, DOI: 10.1002/hed.27456.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsLocoregional recurrenceDistant metastasisOverall survivalHNSCC patientsConcurrent carboplatinDefinitive chemoradiationConsecutive HNSCC patientsDefinitive radiation therapyMedian radiation doseKaplan-Meier methodCumulative incidence functionFree survivalAdvanced headMedian ageMedian dosesNeck cancerAUC 1Radiation therapyCarboplatinPatientsChemoradiationPaclitaxelRadiation doseExcellent optionIncidence function
Academic Achievements & Community Involvement
honor Kaiser Permanente Everyday Hero Award Recipient
Hospital System AwardDetails07/07/2017United Stateshonor Kaiser Permanente Physician Merit Award
Hospital System AwardDetails07/11/2016United States
Clinical Care
Overview
Julie Kang, MD, PhD, is a radiation oncologist specializing in the treatment of head and neck, prostate, bladder, and skin cancers. She focuses on providing compassionate care and empowering patients through education and personalized treatment plans. Dr. Kang employs advanced techniques such as intensity-modulated radiation therapy and stereotactic body radiation therapy to optimize patient outcomes and minimize side effects.
As an assistant professor of therapeutic radiology at Yale School of Medicine, Dr. Kang conducts research aimed at improving cancer care by reducing treatment toxicity and personalizing therapy. Her work includes analyzing factors that influence cancer outcomes to enhance healthcare quality. She is actively involved in clinical trials and cooperative groups, with a particular interest in addressing cancer disparities and reducing barriers to care.
Dr. Kang completed her medical training at the University of Southern California and her residency at UCLA. She is dedicated to mentoring the next generation of medical professionals in research related to head and neck and prostate cancers.
Clinical Specialties
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Rhabdomyosarcoma
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Are You a Patient? View this doctor's clinical profile on the Yale Medicine website for information about the services we offer and making an appointment.