Episode 8 with Michael Serzan – Cancer Through My Eyes

In this eighth episode of Cancer Through My Eyes, we spotlight a physician whose career has been guided by purpose, empathy, and an unwavering dedication to improving cancer care. This series continues to uncover the motivations and philosophies that shape today’s oncology leaders.

Today’s guest is Dr. Michael Serzan, a Medical Oncologist in the Lank Center for Genitourinary Oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and an Instructor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. From his early medical education at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School to his leadership roles during residency at Medstar Georgetown University Hospital, Dr. Serzan has built a career centered on caring for patients with genitourinary cancers and advancing clinical innovation through research.

Dr. Michael Serzan’s Story

Dr. Serzan’s calling to oncology was ignited not only by a love for medicine but by the privilege of building longitudinal, human-centered relationships with patients. A pivotal moment during his fellowship—when he witnessed the remarkable response of a patient with metastatic renal cell carcinoma to immunotherapy—cemented his path.

That experience, where tumors vanished and the patient remains cancer-free nearly eight years later, inspired a career dedicated to both delivering care and developing next-generation immune-based therapies.

His clinical and academic home at Dana-Farber is focused on advancing novel therapeutics for advanced GU cancers, including kidney, bladder, prostate, and testicular cancer. He also plays an active role in mentoring trainees and fostering collaborative teams that drive innovation.

Q&A

1. Dr. Serzan, what drew you to oncology in the first place and what made genitourinary cancers feel like the right path for you?

I loved all aspects of medicine during my training but what drew me to oncology was the longitudinal relationships that we have with our patients. We often meet patients in the most challenging and vulnerable moments of their lives. It is truly a privilege to alleviate suffering while providing treatment for individuals with cancer.

My “Ah-hah” moment came during my oncology fellowship when I cared for a patient with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. After just a few doses of nivolumab therapy, we watched her tumors melt away and now almost 8 years later she remains off treatment and cancer-free. I saw with my own eyes that immunotherapy was changing the paradigm of cancer from a chronic to a potentially curative disease. I decided to dedicate my career as a clinician-investigator both providing care for patients with genitourinary malignancies and researching novel immune-based therapies.

2. You’ve trained and worked at some of the most respected institutions in the country. What’s one lesson you learned outside the textbooks that’s shaped the way you care for patients today?

“The secret to good patient care is caring about the patient. Put yourself in their shoes and try to make recommendations you would be comfortable receiving.” This advice was shared by one of one my earliest mentors in oncology Dr Michael Atkins. While Dr Atkins is a world-renowned pioneer in cancer immunotherapy, what patients value most is how clearly he communicates, how quickly he responds to issues, and how he shows up in difficult times. I strive to emulate this philosophy of care in my clinical practice.

3. You’ve studied and worked in cities like Boston, Washington D.C., and New Brunswick. How has training in such different environments shaped your perspective on patient care?

No matter where you practice, teamwork is critical to providing exceptional patient care. During my training in Washington DC and New Brunswick, I had the benefit of learning from close knit interdisciplinary teams who I could walk down the hallway to get answers to questions. When transitioning to Boston, I came to appreciate the tremendous depth of expertise that comes from practicing in a large academic center.

To help navigate this transition I leaned on advice from my mentor Dr Toni Choueiri, who is world-renowned for his ability to foster collaborative relationships that transform individual careers and institutions. Dr Choueiri encouraged me to be intentional about meeting with everyone including nurses, advanced practitioners, urologists, radiation oncologists, pathologists and research collaborators. The wisdom of this investment in people and relationships has resulted in a highly integrated clinical team that champions exceptional patient care and innovative clinical research.

4. You focus on developing new treatments for advanced GU cancers. In a field that’s always pushing forward, how do you stay both innovative and grounded?

As an early-career clinical investigator, the best advice I can offer is to have a robust clinical practice that informs your research efforts. Engaging with patients day-in and day-out allows me to see more clearly existing knowledge gaps as well as opportunities to investigate potential solutions.

Dana Farber has a robust clinical trial portfolio that allows me to learn from colleagues about their areas of expertise and to contribute to their research. Outside of the clinic, finding translational research partners with mutual interests and complimentary skillsets are essential to bring innovative ideas from the bench to bedside and vice versa.

Participation in national meetings such as ASCO or ESMO are fantastic opportunities to stay up to date on the latest data and network with colleagues. One emerging trend over the past several years has been engagement on social media through Twitter/X, LinkedIn, etc. My personal philosophy is to use the platforms to learn from and promote the work of collaborators, to create impactful content, and to share my perspective.

5. You’ve helped guide students, residents, and fellows. What’s one thing you try to pass on to every trainee, no matter their background or goals?

Stay curious. Medical training is time intensive and demanding, filled with highlights and low points. Patient care is often rewarding but can also be a burden to carry at times. In my experience, having a sense of childlike wonder and genuine curiosity can be the antidote to overcoming even the most insurmountable challenges.

6. Cancer care can be incredibly intense, especially early in one’s career. What’s helped you stay connected to the human side of medicine amid all the science and pressure?

“Ask an unscripted question (Autl Gawande Better)” Early in my career, I read Autl Gawande’s “Better: A Surgeon’s Notes on Performance” in which he recommends this as one of five steps to become a positive deviant.

To that end, I start almost all my clinic visits by asking patients where they are from. This simple question allows patients the opportunity to share a piece of their identity and for me to make a deeper connection. Over the years, it’s been amazing to reflect on how brief unscripted questions have fostered meaningful relationships that recognize the humanity of a patients journey with cancer.

7. When you reflect on a tough day, is there a particular moment with a patient that reminds you why you chose this work in the first place?

One patient that often comes to mind is the youngest patient who I ever treated for a rare and aggressive renal medullary carcinoma. Her treatment course was rocky with high doses of chemotherapy, multiple hospital admissions, and long hours receiving supportive transfusions. Despite our best efforts, she passed away less than a year from her initial diagnosis.

However, this patient’s immeasurable courage, indominable spirit, and dedication to service are qualities that left an unforgettable impact on me. I count myself immensely lucky to have known this exceptional young woman and to have provided oncologic care in service of the incredible life she led. I am also constantly reminded of the tragedy of lives lost too soon and motivated to improve

8. You’ve balanced research, teaching, and clinical care. When things get stressful, what helps you stay focused and keep going?

Habit and mentors.
It is tremendously exciting to have responsibilities in research, education, and clinical care. It often means that no two days are similar. I’m a big believer that intentional habits are key to staying disciplined on the task at hand. When things get stressful, I often reach out to mentors and team members to refocus my efforts. We all encounter challenges and having the humility to ask for help from a trusted mentor can help you develop and grow.

9. For young professionals who want to make a difference in oncology but feel overwhelmed by how much there is to learn, what advice would you give them?

Start today. Don’t wait for the perfect conditions, just get started. Signup for the course. Email the mentor. Writing a first draft of the research proposal. In the clinical realm, take ownership for your patients and become an expert in their medical care. In the research realm, take on projects, set deadlines and deliver results. Become famous for finishing important, difficult tasks. Focus on executing your system of learning and you will be amazed at the progress that accumulates over time.

10. At this point in your journey, what does success look like, not in titles or papers, but in the quiet, everyday moments of your work?

What gets me out of bed in the morning are the opportunities to care for my patients who have been affected by cancer, to be a collaborative teammate, and to advance the science of oncology towards a future without cancer.

As Cancer Through My Eyes continues, Dr. Serzan’s journey serves as a reminder that progress in oncology isn’t just built in the lab or clinic — it’s built in relationships, in moments of listening, and in the quiet persistence of showing up each day with purpose. His story highlights the kind of physician-leader who balances science with soul, mentorship with humility, and ambition with empathy.

From the first conversation to the final treatment plan, Dr. Serzan shows us that success in oncology lies in how deeply we connect, how fiercely we care, and how bravely we keep pushing forward — for every patient, every colleague, and every discovery still to come.

Got a question or someone we should feature next? Reach out on social media—we’d love to hear from you.

Stay tuned for more conversations that illuminate the hearts behind the science.

By Semiramida Nina Markosyan, HBSc.