Wen T. Shen, M.D.

Biography

Wen T. Shen is Assistant Professor in Residence in the UCSF Department of Surgery. He specializes in endocrine surgery of the thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenal glands. He is primarily based at the UCSF/Mt. Zion Medical Center and Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, but is also a Staff Surgeon at the San Francisco Veterans’ Affairs Medical Center where he maintains a practice in endocrine and general surgery.

Dr. Shen graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in History and Science from Harvard University. He obtained his M.D. with thesis from UCSF and completed his surgical residency and research fellowship in endocrine surgery at UCSF as well.

Dr. Shen’s basic science research focuses on the molecular biology, genetics, and treatment of thyroid cancer. He has previously studied and published on the redifferentiating and growth inhibitory effects of novel antitumor agents such as PPAR-gamma agonists and histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors in thyroid cancer. He is currently investigating the role and regulation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in thyroid cancer with the aim of developing new strategies for thyroid cancer treatment through the modulation of MMPs.

Dr. Shen’s clinical research has encompassed several areas in the fields of endocrine and minimally invasive surgery. He has previously studied and published on the surgical treatment of primary and secondary hyperparathyroidism, management of thyroid nodules and goiter, surgical treatment for thyroid cancer, and laparoscopic adrenalectomy for benign and malignant adrenal tumors.

In addition to his basic science and clinical research, Dr. Shen maintains a strong academic interest in the history of medicine. He has previously studied and written on the development and use of hormonal therapies for benign and malignant conditions, as well as the impact of the 1942 Cocoanut Grove Fire in Boston on the evolution of surface treatment for burns. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in the history of medicine in the M.A. for Professionals Program, UCSF Department of Anthropology, History and Social Medicine.    

Dr. Shen’s research has previously been funded by grants from the American College of Surgeons and the James Ewing Foundation of the Society of Surgical Oncology. He has received the Esther Nusz Achievement Award from the UCSF Department of Surgery, the Resident’s Prize from the Pacific Coast Surgical Association, the William Osler Medal from the American Association for the History of Medicine, and the Rothschild Prize from the Department of the History of Science at Harvard University.