About me
Suthee Rapisuwon, MD, is a board-certified medical oncologist, medical geneticist, and hematologist at MedStar Georgetown Cancer Institute at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. As a specialist in skin melanomas and genetic medical conditions, Dr. Rapisuwon treats cancers of the skin, prostate, kidney, testicles, and bladder. He also is a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer, and American Association of Cancer Research.
Dr. Rapisuwon’s approach to care centers on providing individualized and comprehensive services. He begins by fully educating patients about their diagnoses and clearly discussing medication, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and clinical trial options. He then works with them to design comprehensive care plans. He is passionate about combining standard protocols with medical advances to help patients live heathier lives.
Dr. Rapisuwon is dedicated to advancing cancer research of the skin, eyes, and urinary tract as well as those caused by metabolic, hereditary, and other genetic factors. As a principal and translational researcher, he is part of national studies that examine novel diagnostic tools and medication therapies to treat advanced melanomas, non-melanoma skin cancers, and other diseases. He also has a particular interest in innovative treatments that could provide new hope to people who have complex eye cancers. Referring physicians should know that Dr. Rapisuwon is part of a countrywide network of clinicians who collaborate to connect patients with clinical trial opportunities.
Philosophy of Care
“I’ve devoted my career to clinical research, a field of scientific study focused on discovering better ways to save lives and improve health. Whether such breakthroughs help people defeat cancers or manage them like chronic diseases, every step is important. I hope my commitment to care not only helps current patients, but also leads to new pathways that comforts future generations too.
Additionally, I’m a volunteer doctor with the Marines – yet another way I enjoy serving others and giving back to the community.”
Clinical areas of focus
- Genitourinary Cancer Treatment
- Renal Metastases Treatment
Procedures I perform
- Abdominal Wall Biopsy
- Biopsy Of Salivary Gland
- Biopsy Of Tongue
- Bladder Cancer Treatment
- Blood Clot Treatment
- Blood Transfusion
- Bone Biopsy
- Bone Cancer Staging
- Bone Marrow Aspiration
- Cancer Treatment
- Chemotherapy Administration
- Cold Laser Therapy
- Deep Vein Thrombosis Management
- Ecmo Cannulation
- Fallopian Tube Removal
- Genitourinary Cancer Treatment
- Hepatic Artery Infusion
- Intravenous (IV) Fluids
- Introduction Of Antineoplastic
- Kidney Cancer Treatment
- Laryngoscopy With Tumor Excision
- Liver Tumor Ablation
- Low-Dose Rate Brachytherapy For Prostate Cancer
- Metastatic Cancer Treatment
- Nonautologous Red Blood Cells Transfusion
- Packed Red Blood Cell Transfusion
- Palliative Care For Bone Cancer
- Parathyroid Tumor Surgery
- Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation
- Pharmacological Imaging
- Photon Therapy For Cancer
- Platelet Transfusion
- Prolotherapy Infusions
- Prostate Cancer Treatment
- Radiopharmaceutical Therapy
- Red Blood Cell Transfusion
- Renal Metastases Treatment
- Seminoma Treatment
- Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography
- Testicular Cancer Treatment
- Thrombocytapheresis
- Transitional Cell Carcinoma Treatment
- Uveitic Glaucoma Treatment
- Watchful Waiting For Cancer
- White Blood Cell Transfusion
Insurance
MedStar Health accepts most major health insurance plans. If you are uncertain as to whether your individual health insurance plan is accepted at MedStar Health, please call your insurance company.
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List of insurance plans we accept
- Aetna Classic 5000PD
- Navigate
- Aetna Basic
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- Optimum Choice
- Kaiser Permanente Select Cardiac Global
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- IH-Open POS Plus
- Aetna Classic 3500
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- United Healthcare Navigate Cardiac Global
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
- TRICARE for Life East
- CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- Medicare FFS
- Tricare Reserve Select
- CIGNA EPO
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
- BlueChoice Open Access
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- Geisinger Medicare Advantage
- Employee Health Plan
- HumanaChoice PPO
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- CareFirst Community Health Plan of MD
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO) Cardiac Global
- IH-PPO
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
- IH-Indemnity
- Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global
- United Student Resources
- OA Plus
- Blue Choice Advantage
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- First Health PPO
- CIGNA Indemnity
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- Aetna Better Health of VA
- Beech Street PPO
- BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- MultiPlan, Inc
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (HMO)
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (POS & POS OA)
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Dual Adv
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS Cardiac Global
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- CareFirst Administrators
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- IH-Open HMO
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- Aetna Advantage 6350PD
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
- Options PPO Cardiac Global
- IH-Open POS II
- Choice POS II Open Access
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- First Health PPO
- Choice Fund PPO
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
- Aetna Advantage 5750
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- TRICARE East Select
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- POS OA
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
- HealthyBlue PPO
- BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- Core Essential (HMO)
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
- IH-POS Plus
- CareFirst Blue Card Program
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- IH-Open EPO Plus
- HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- HighMark
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
- Choice POS
- IH-POS
- Aetna HMO
- United Healthcare Choice Plus Cardiac Global
- UHC Passport
- OCI Direct (HMO)
- IH-Network Only Plus
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- Aetna Classic 5000
- CareFirst NASCO
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
- United Healthcare Choice Cardiac Global
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
- Anthem BCBS of VA Key Care POS/PPO/Indemnity
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
- CIGNA PPO
- Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
- Kaiser Permaenete Signature - Added Choice Cardiac Global
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- Humana Gold Plus HMO
- IH-HMO
- Aetna Premier 200PD
- Sentara Health
- CareFirst EPO
- AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
- United Healthcare Select HMO-EPO/NPP Cardiac Global
- United Healthcare Choice
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- Aetna VA Exchange
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- Medicare Direct
- CIGNA HMO Open Access
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- Aetna Better Health of MD
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
- IH-Open Network Only Plus
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- Police and Fire Clinic
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- IH-EPO Plus
- CIGNA PPO Plus
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- Choice POS II
- IH-Open HMO Option
- Aetna Advantage 6350
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- Advantra Platinum (PPO)
- TRICARE East Prime
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
- Network OA
- CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
- Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
Education
Board Certification: American Board of Medical Genetics & Genomics, Clinical Genetics and Genomics
Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, Medical Oncology
Residency: Georgetown University Hospital (2015)
Residency: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine (2012)
Graduate: Ramathibodi Hospital Faculty of Medicine (2003)
Awards
- Honors, Doctor of Medicine, Mahidol University (2003)
Hospital affiliations
News and publications
- Dissecting the Treatment-Naïve Ecosystem of Human Melanoma Brain Metastasis, Cell, July 7, 2022
- Multicenter, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Seviprotimut-L Polyvalent Melanoma Vaccine in Patients with Opst-Resection Melanoma at High Risk of Recurrence, The Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer, October 2021
- PET/CT Scan and Biopsy-Driven Approach for Safe Anti-PD-1 Therapy Discontinuation in Patients with Advanced Melanoma, The Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer, October 9, 2021
- Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy Associated with Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy: Endomyocardial Biopsy Provides Pathological Insights to Dual Diseases. Journal of the American College of Cardiology: CardioOncology, June 1, 2021
- Chronic Immune-Related Adverse Events Following Adjuvant Anti-PD1 Therapy for High-Risk Resected Melanoma, The Journal of the American Medical Association Oncology, May 1, 2021
- A Multicenter Analysis of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors as Adjuvant Therapy Following Treatment of Isolated Brain Metastasis, Oncologist, November 23, 2020
- Exceptional Response and Multisystem Autoimmune-Like Toxicities Associated with the Same T-Cell Clone in a Patient with Uveal Melanoma Treated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors, The Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer, March 4, 2019
- Clinical Characterization of Colitis Arising from Anti-PD-1 Base Therapy, Oncoimmunology, October 31, 2018
- High Response Rate to PD-1 Blockade in Desmoplastic Melanomas, Nature, January 18, 2018
- Thrombocytopenia in Patients with Melanoma Receiving Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy, The Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer, February 21, 2017
- The Efficacy of Anti-PD-1 Agents in Acral and Mucosal Melanoma, Cancer, November 15, 2016
- Safety And Efficacy of Anti-PD-1 in Patients with Baseline Cardiac, Renal, or Hepatic Dysfunction, The Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer, October 1, 2016
- Circulating Biomarkers to Monitor Cancer Progression and Treatment, Computational and Structural Biotechnology, June 1, 2016
- Phase II Trial of Imatinib in AIDS-Associated Kaposi’s Sarcoma: AIDS Malignancy Consortium Protocol, Journal of Clinical Oncology, February 10, 2014
- Novel Somatic KIT Exon 8 Mutation with Dramatic Response to Imatinib in a Patient with Mucosal Melanoma: a Case Report, Melanoma Research, 2014
- Multiple Muscle Cell Alterations in a Case of Encephalomyopathy, Ultrastructural Pathology, February 2014
- Discordance Between Cobas BRAFV600 Testing and VE1 Immunohistochemistry in a Melanoma Patient with Bone Marrow Metastases, American Journal of Dermatopathology, September 2016
- Cardiofaciocutaneous and LEOPARD Syndromes, American Journal of Medical Genetics Part C Seminars in Medical Genetics, May 15, 2011