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
- Aetna Basic
- Navigate
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- Optimum Choice
- Kaiser Permanente Select Cardiac Global
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
- Aetna Classic 3500
- IH-Open POS Plus
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- United Healthcare Navigate Cardiac Global
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
- CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
- TRICARE for Life East
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
- NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- CIGNA EPO
- Tricare Reserve Select
- Medicare FFS
- BlueChoice Open Access
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- HumanaChoice PPO
- Employee Health Plan
- Geisinger Medicare Advantage
- CareFirst Community Health Plan of MD
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO) Cardiac Global
- IH-PPO
- IH-Indemnity
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
- Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- Blue Choice Advantage
- OA Plus
- United Student Resources
- First Health PPO
- CIGNA Indemnity
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- Aetna Better Health of VA
- Beech Street PPO
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
- 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 Administrators
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- IH-Open HMO
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- Aetna Advantage 6350PD
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
- Options PPO Cardiac Global
- Choice POS II Open Access
- IH-Open POS II
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
- First Health PPO
- Aetna Advantage 5750
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- Choice Fund PPO
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- TRICARE East Select
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- POS OA
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- HealthyBlue PPO
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- Core Essential (HMO)
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- IH-POS Plus
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
- CareFirst Blue Card Program
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- IH-Open EPO Plus
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
- HighMark
- Aetna HMO
- IH-POS
- Choice POS
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
- United Healthcare Choice Plus Cardiac Global
- UHC Passport
- IH-Network Only Plus
- OCI Direct (HMO)
- Aetna Classic 5000
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
- CareFirst NASCO
- United Healthcare Choice Cardiac Global
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
- Anthem BCBS of VA Key Care POS/PPO/Indemnity
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
- CIGNA PPO
- Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
- Kaiser Permaenete Signature - Added Choice Cardiac Global
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- Humana Gold Plus HMO
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- Aetna Premier 200PD
- IH-HMO
- AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
- CareFirst EPO
- Sentara Health
- United Healthcare Select HMO-EPO/NPP Cardiac Global
- Aetna VA Exchange
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- United Healthcare Choice
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- CIGNA HMO Open Access
- Medicare Direct
- CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- Aetna Better Health of MD
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- IH-Open Network Only Plus
- Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- Police and Fire Clinic
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO
- IH-EPO Plus
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- CIGNA PPO Plus
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- Aetna Advantage 6350
- IH-Open HMO Option
- Choice POS II
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
- Advantra Platinum (PPO)
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- TRICARE East Prime
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
- Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
- CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
- Network OA
- 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