Christopher B. Dechet
( out of 587 reviews )

Christopher B. Dechet, MD, FACS

Languages spoken: German, English

Clinical Locations

Huntsman Cancer Institute - Cancer Hospital South

Clinic 2B, Urology
Salt Lake City
801-587-4383
Directions

  • Christopher Dechet, MD, FACS is an Professor in the Division of Urology, Department of Surgery at the Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah. He currently serves as Director for the Section for Urologic Oncology and holds the Anderson Family Endowed Chair in Urologic Oncology. Dr. Dechet specializes in the surgical care of patients with urologic cancers at the Huntsman Cancer Institute. His practice focuses on prostate, kidney, bladder, adrenal and testis cancer. His expertise encompasses robotic, laparoscopic, and open surgical approaches.

    Dr. Dechet has been using Da Vinci robotic system since 2004 and is the most experienced robotic surgeon in the Intermountain West. He routinely performs robotic prostatectomy, robotic partial nephrectomy and robotic cystectomy. Dr. Dechet also has extensive laparoscopic expertise having been awarded an achievement award from the Society of Laparoscopic Surgeons.

    Dr. Dechet has developed a comprehensive quality of life database for the purpose of improving surgical outcomes for prostate cancer. He has also developed a robotic surgical approach for treating patients with high risk prostate cancer.

    Besides prostatectomy, Dr. Dechet specializes in complex partial nephrectomies, renal cell with vena caval thrombus, post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection and cystectomy with neobladder formation.

    Dr. Dechet received his undergraduate degree from Stanford University and earned a medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine. He was the recipient of an American Heart Associate research grant during his medical training. He completed his surgery and urology training at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

    Over the past 20 years, Dr. Dechet has been the recipient of multiple awards, including the Patient Choice Physician Award, Most Compassionate Doctor Award, Vitals Top 10 Doctor Award, Vitals Top 10 Specialist and Top Urologist Award. He regularly give presentations throughout the world and has been a visiting professor in Italy and Austria, where he has performed nerve-sparing prostatectomy, robotic cystectomy and partial nephrectomy.

    Specialties

    Board Certification

    American Board of Urology

    Patient Rating

    4.9 /5
    ( out of 587 reviews )

    The patient rating score is an average of all responses on our patient experience survey. The rating averages scores for all questions about care from our providers.

    The scale on which responses are measured is 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.

    Patient Comments

    Patient comments are gathered from our patient experience survey and displayed in their entirety. For the convenience of our visitors, some patient comments have been translated from their original language into English while preserving their original meaning as accurately as possible. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.

    June 21, 2025
    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER

    I find Dr. Dechet to be very well informed and a good communicator.

    June 12, 2025
    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER

    Dr. Dechet's skill as a surgeon is extraordinary. He has also put together an impressive team that gave me confidence that my case was in excellent hands.

    June 12, 2025
    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER

    Careful, takes time to explain in direct, simple Thad thoughtful manner.

    June 11, 2025
    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER

    The absolute best doctor I've ever had or known. Extremely knowledgable and yet down to earth. He is very busy but not too busy to give me his full attention.

    June 11, 2025
    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER

    Professional, precise and personable

    June 09, 2025
    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER

    Dr. Dechet and his staff are great to work with. They're professional and informed, and make me feel at ease about my care. I'm incredibly grateful that Dr. Chris Dechet is so good at what he does.

    June 05, 2025
    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER

    Dr. Dechet listened which is a real skill when meeting virtually. His confidence and expertise is beyond obvious. Thank you Dr. Dechet for caring.

    June 04, 2025
    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER

    Confident, caring and inclusive. Excellent doctor providing direct information and guidance while respecting that decisions are the patients. Much appreciated.

    June 04, 2025
    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER

    Excellent, friendly and clear in his answers and very professional. [TRANSLATED]

  • Christopher Dechet, MD, FACS is an Professor in the Division of Urology, Department of Surgery at the Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah. He currently serves as Director for the Section for Urologic Oncology and holds the Anderson Family Endowed Chair in Urologic Oncology. Dr. Dechet specializes in the surgical care of patients with urologic cancers at the Huntsman Cancer Institute. His practice focuses on prostate, kidney, bladder, adrenal and testis cancer. His expertise encompasses robotic, laparoscopic, and open surgical approaches.

    Dr. Dechet has been using Da Vinci robotic system since 2004 and is the most experienced robotic surgeon in the Intermountain West. He routinely performs robotic prostatectomy, robotic partial nephrectomy and robotic cystectomy. Dr. Dechet also has extensive laparoscopic expertise having been awarded an achievement award from the Society of Laparoscopic Surgeons.

    Dr. Dechet has developed a comprehensive quality of life database for the purpose of improving surgical outcomes for prostate cancer. He has also developed a robotic surgical approach for treating patients with high risk prostate cancer.

    Besides prostatectomy, Dr. Dechet specializes in complex partial nephrectomies, renal cell with vena caval thrombus, post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection and cystectomy with neobladder formation.

    Dr. Dechet received his undergraduate degree from Stanford University and earned a medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine. He was the recipient of an American Heart Associate research grant during his medical training. He completed his surgery and urology training at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

    Over the past 20 years, Dr. Dechet has been the recipient of multiple awards, including the Patient Choice Physician Award, Most Compassionate Doctor Award, Vitals Top 10 Doctor Award, Vitals Top 10 Specialist and Top Urologist Award. He regularly give presentations throughout the world and has been a visiting professor in Italy and Austria, where he has performed nerve-sparing prostatectomy, robotic cystectomy and partial nephrectomy.

    Board Certification and Academic Information

    Academic Departments Surgery -Professor (Clinical)
    Academic Divisions Urology
    Board Certification
    American Board of Urology

    Education history

    Residency Urology - Mayo Clinic Resident
    Internship Surgery - Mayo Clinic Intern
    Professional Medical Medicine - University of Pennsylvania M.D.
    Undergraduate German Studies - Stanford University B.A.

    Selected Publications

    Journal Article

    1. Hutten R, Khouri A, Parsons M, Tward A, Wilson T, Peterson J, Morrell G, Dechet C, ONeil B, Schmidt B, Kokeny K, Lloyd S, Cannon D, Tward J, Sanchez A, Johnson S (2022). The Clinical Significance of Maximum Tumor Diameter on MRI in Men Undergoing Radical Prostatectomy or Definitive Radiotherapy for Locoregional Prostate Cancer. Clin Genitourin Cancer, 20(6), e453-e459. (Read full article)
    2. Slade AD, Cardinal JR, Martin CR, Presson AP, Allen CD, Lowrance WT, Dechet CB, ONeil BB (2021). Feasibility of wearable activity trackers in cystectomy patients to monitor for postoperative complications. Curr Urol, 15(4), 209-213. (Read full article)
    3. Hunt TC, Ambrose JP, Haaland B, Kawamoto K, Dechet CB, Lowrance WT, Hanson HA, ONeil BB (2021). Decision fatigue in low-value prostate cancer screening. Cancer, 127(18), 3343-3353. (Read full article)
    4. Greenberg SE, Hunt TC, Ambrose JP, Lowrance WT, Dechet CB, ONeil BB, Tward JD (2021). Clinical Germline Testing Results of Men With Prostate Cancer: Patient-Level Factors and Implications of NCCN Guideline Expansion. JCO Precis Oncol, 5. (Read full article)
    5. Tward JD, ONeil B, Boucher K, Kokeny K, Lowrance WT, Lloyd S, Cannon D, Stephenson RA, Agarwal N, Farr T, Petragallo R, Sherar NZ, Kunz I, Hofer A, Courdy S, Shrieve DC, Dechet C (2020). Metastasis, Mortality, and Quality of Life for Men With NCCN High and Very High Risk Localized Prostate Cancer After Surgical and/or Combined Modality Radiotherapy. Clin Genitourin Cancer, 18(4), 274-283.e5. (Read full article)
    6. Armstrong JM, Martin CR, Dechet C, Morton K, Evans D, Ambrose J, Maughan BL, ONeil B, Lowrance W (2020). 18F-fluciclovine PET CT detection of biochemical recurrent prostate cancer at specific PSA thresholds after definitive treatment. Urol Oncol, 38(7), 636.e1-636.e6. (Read full article)
    7. Hanson HA, Leiser CL, ONeil B, Martin C, Gupta S, Smith KR, Dechet C, Lowrance WT, Madsen MJ, Camp NJ (2020). Harnessing Population Pedigree Data and Machine Learning Methods to Identify Patterns of Familial Bladder Cancer Risk. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev, 29(5), 918-926. (Read full article)
    8. Martin C, West JM, Palermo S, Patel DP, Presson AP, Comploj E, Pycha A, Hancock JB, Dechet CB, Trenti E (2019). Elderly patients undergoing cystectomy, comparing preoperative American Society of Anesthesiology and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group scores and operative approaches. Urologia, 86(4), 183-188. (Read full article)
    9. Tward J, Boucher K, Kokeny K, Lowrance WT, Lloyd S, Dechet C, Cannon D, Stephenson R, Agarwal N, Farr T, Petragallo R, Sherar N, Kunz I, Hofer A, Courdy S, Shrieve D, ONeil B (2018). Optimal Radiation and Surgical Strategies to Reduce Disease Progression and Mortality of Men with NCCN High and Very High Risk Localized Prostate Cancer. Submitted:. JAMA.
    10. Comploj E, Dechet CB, Mian M, Trenti E, Palermo S, Lodde M, Mian C, Ambrosini-Spaltro A, Horninger W, Pycha A (2014). Perforation during TUR of bladder tumours influences the natural history of superficial bladder cancer. World J Urol, 32(5), 1219-23. (Read full article)
    11. Mian C, Comploj E, Resnyak E, Trenti E, Palermo S, Lodde M, Pycha A, Ambrosini-Spaltro A, Dechet CB, Pycha A (2014). Long-term follow-up of intermediate-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer sub-classified by multi-coloured FISH. Anticancer Res, 34(6), 3067-71. (Read full article)
    12. ONeil BB, Presson A, Gannon J, Stephenson RA, Lowrance W, Dechet CB, Tward JD, Myers JB, Brant WO (2014). Climacturia after definitive treatment of prostate cancer. J Urol, 191(1), 159-63. (Read full article)
    13. Comploj E, Cassar W, Farina A, Gasparella P, Trenti E, Palermo S, Dechet CB, Caione P, Pycha A (2013). Conservative management of paediatric renal abscess. J Pediatr Urol, 9(6 Pt B), 1214-7. (Read full article)
    14. Friedhelm, B, Berner, L, Dechet C, Presson, A, Pycha, A (2013). Does the Surgeon have an Influence on Clinical Voiding Parameters and Postoperative Sexual Function after TURP? Aktuelle Urol, 44(5), 370-374.
    15. Hadley DA, Stephenson RA, Samlowski WE, Dechet CB (2011). Patterns of enlarged lymph nodes in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Urol Oncol, 29(6), 751-5. (Read full article)
    16. Greenlee JE, Clawson SA, Hill KE, Dechet CB, Carlson NG (2010). Antineuronal autoantibodies in paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration associated with adenocarcinoma of the prostate. J Neurol Sci, 291(1-2), 74-8. (Read full article)
    17. Hansen PA, Dechet CB, Porucznik CA, LaStayo PC (2009). Comparing eccentric resistance exercise in prostate cancer survivors on and off hormone therapy: a pilot study. PM R, 1(11), 1019-24. (Read full article)
    18. Abel EJ, Masterson TA, Warner JN, Valentine K, Dechet CB (2009). Nerve-sparing prostatectomy and urinary function: a prospective analysis using validated quality-of-life measures. Urology, 73(6), 1336-1440.
    19. Abel EJ, Masterson TA, Warner JN, Valentine K, Dechet C (2009). Nerve-sparing prostatectomy and urinary function: a prospective analysis using validated quality-of-life measures. Urology, 73(6), 1336-40. (Read full article)
    20. Anker CJ, Dechet CB, Issac JC, Akerley W, Shrieve DC (2008). Small-Cell Carcinoma of the Prostate. J Clin Oncol, 26(7), 1168-1171.
    21. Dechet CB, Zincke H, Sebo TJ, King BF, LeRoy AJ, Farrow GM, Blute ML (2003). Prospective analysis of computerized tomography and needle biopsy with permanent sectioning to determine the nature of solid renal masses in adults. J Urol, 169(1), 71-4. (Read full article)
    22. Lindor NM, Dechet CB, Greene MH, Jenkins RB, Zincke MT, Weaver AL, Wilson M, Zincke H, Liu W (2001). Papillary renal cell carcinoma: analysis of germline mutations in the MET proto-oncogene in a clinic-based population. Genet Test, 5(2), 101-6. (Read full article)
    23. Dechet CB, Sebo T, Farrow G, Blute ML, Engen DE, Zincke H (1999). Prospective analysis of intraoperative frozen needle biopsy of solid renal masses in adults. J Urol, 162(4), 1282-4; discussion 1284-5. (Read full article)
    24. Dechet CB, Young MM, Segura JW (1999). Laparoscopic transureteroureterostomy: demonstration of its feasibility in swine. J Endourol, 13(7), 487-93. (Read full article)
    25. Dechet CB, Bostwick DG, Blute ML, Bryant SC, Zincke H (1999). Renal oncocytoma: multifocality, bilateralism, metachronous tumor development and coexistent renal cell carcinoma. J Urol, 162(1), 40-2. (Read full article)
    26. Dechet CB, Weller S, Benowitz L, Rossitch E (1994). Neurological and Histopathologic Outcome in a Highly Reproducible Model of Secondary Spinal Cord Injury in the Rat.

    Book Chapter

    1. Dechet CB (2023). Urethrectomy. In Smith J, Howards S, Preminger G. (Eds.), Hinman's Atlas of Urologic Surgery (5th). Philadelphia: Elsevier Saunders.
    2. Luzny P amp, Dechet C (2016). Kidney Metastatic Bone Disease. In Randall's Metastatic Bone Disease: And Intergrated Approach to Patient Care (pp. 71-83). Springer New York Heidelberg Dordrecht London.
    3. Dechet CB (2012). Urethrectomy. In Frank Hinman's Atlas (Ed.), Hinman's Atlas of Urologic Surgery, 3rd Edition. Cleveland, Ohio: Hinman's Atlas of Urologic Surgery, 3rd Edition.
    4. Dechet CB, King B, Barrett D (2000). Radiology of Prosthesis for Urinary Incontinence. In Pollack and McClennan (Eds.), Clinical Urography (ed.2).

    Case Report

    1. Samlowski EE, Dechet CB, Weissman A, Samlowski WE (07/01/2011). Large cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma masquerading as renal carcinoma with inferior vena cava thrombosis: a case report. J Med Case Rep, 5(1), 245.

    Video/Film/CD/Web/Podcast

    1. Barabas A, Dechet CB (2005). The use of the Lapara Ty to Reduce Warm Ischemic Times during Laparoscopic Partial Nephrectomy (video) [Video].

  • News & Podcasts

    News

    Huntsman Cancer Institute News