Christopher B. Dechet,
MD, FACS
Languages Spoken: English, German
Christopher Dechet, MD, FACS is an associate professor in the Division of Urology, Department of Surgery at the University of Utah. He currently serves as the Co-director of the Multidisciplinary Urologic Oncology Group at the Huntsman Cancer Institute. 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, endoscopic, 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 10 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.
Clinical Locations
Clinic 2B, GU
801-587-4383
Fax: (801) 585-3749
Board Certification and Academic Information
| Academic Departments | Surgery
-
Professor (Clinical) |
| Academic Divisions | Urology |
| Board Certification | American Board of Urology |
Patient Rating
The Patient Rating score is an average of all responses to care provider related questions on our nationally-recognized Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survey.
Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.
Likelihood of recommending care provider
4.8/ 5
Care provider's explanation of condition/problem
4.8/ 5
Care provider's effort to include me in decisions
4.8/ 5
Wait time at clinic
4.2/ 5
Care provider's concern for questions & worries
4.8/ 5
Patient Comments
Patient comments are gathered from our Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survery and displayed in their entirety. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.
UofU Patient
December 20, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Good
UofU Patient
December 20, 2021
SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
Laura is very skilled, empathetic and pleasant. Asks very good questions. A pleasure to deal with.
UofU Patient
December 19, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
The nurse showed great concern and patience and describing a new medication that I would be taking. She took a great deal of time to answer my questions
UofU Patient
December 18, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Good
UofU Patient
December 16, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
I understand delays happen
UofU Patient
December 10, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr Dechet is great
UofU Patient
December 09, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Everyone always asked if we had any questions and were able to answer our questions. Great suggestions on traveling home.
UofU Patient
December 09, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr. Dechet is a phenomenal Surgeon, very caring and highly skilled. We are fortunate to have an extraordinary Surgeon like him at Huntsman.
UofU Patient
December 07, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
A very good experience thanks
UofU Patient
December 07, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Patently answered all of my questions, and asked if I had any others
UofU Patient
December 05, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Just lack of questioning on my day to day life. Wheelchair patient write off to not being active. No true.
UofU Patient
December 03, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Grate
UofU Patient
December 02, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Good that we were able to meet with primary doc this time around as there had been a concern that the pa had last visit. My present status was well explained and mind put at ease that all is well and in control. Proper time was given to us to go over our concerns. Your staff has stayed on top of my recovery and not let anything slip by. Thanks
UofU Patient
November 30, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr. Dechet is a fantastic urologist
UofU Patient
November 26, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Care provider was new but informed me the best he could. I'm sure he will become a great asset to the Huntsman institution.
UofU Patient
November 20, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Everyone was very helpful.
UofU Patient
November 18, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Hoorah...The bedt of the best!
UofU Patient
November 18, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Answered all questions and addressed my concerns
UofU Patient
November 14, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Very informative and explained so I could understand
UofU Patient
November 07, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Looking forward to surgery and post-surgical care.
UofU Patient
November 02, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
I've always been treated as a person , not a set of symptoms or medical issues
UofU Patient
October 29, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
We have already referred Huntsman to all our friends.
UofU Patient
October 15, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
NP and PA were outstanding caring individuals. The doctor WAS NOT.
UofU Patient
October 07, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Doc Dechet takes the time to explain and listen. I like him!
UofU Patient
October 04, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Excellent
UofU Patient
September 16, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Very good!!
UofU Patient
September 16, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Doctor Deckets entire staff is very professional.
UofU Patient
September 14, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
My concerns abt my condition explained and relieved my worries completely resolved
UofU Patient
September 11, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Good
UofU Patient
September 09, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Very professional and knowledgeable, well experienced.
UofU Patient
September 06, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Great
UofU Patient
August 23, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
I was shown all the options and informed of the potential decisions.
UofU Patient
August 19, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr. Dechett is quite personable.
UofU Patient
August 16, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
ALL VERY GOOD
UofU Patient
August 15, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Very knowledgeable and very straightforward with his answers, which I like.
UofU Patient
August 08, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Good
UofU Patient
August 03, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
We had some confusion about what the doctor told us and the expectations his staff had after our visit
UofU Patient
August 03, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
I wanted to highly compliment Erica Farr, M.M.S., PA-C, for her professionalism; friendly, caring demeanor; and her depth of experience and knowledge. She answered every question In great detail that my wife and I had regarding the significance of biopsy & MRI results, as well as the options for treatment and surgery in light of those results. I have been in active surveillance for prostate cancer for almost 7 years, and for these last 3 years PA Farr has been attentive, concerned and understanding, in addition to being extremely competent in the new technology of MRI/Ultrasound Fusion-Guided prostate biopsy. Dr. Dechet came in after PA Farr finished this last visit. He is the consummate professional, and was very detailed In his explanation of my proposed surgery and post-surgery recovery. Dr. Dechet is certainly the physician I would have wanted along with me supervising my 7-year active surveillance odyssey of exams, blood work, traditional biopsies, MRIs, an MRI-Guided Biopsy, an MRI/Ultrasound Fusion Biopsy--and now surgery.
UofU Patient
July 06, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Very informative
UofU Patient
July 06, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
We visited on an extremely busy day. Dr. Dechet, and PA Erica Farr found time to visit and consult and assure my concerns were addressed. They and their team set a bar above any health care I have ever received. It is refreshing to see there are still individuals in the health care system who truly care about the patient. The same can be said for virtually any one who was involved with my care and procedures. The Huntsman and it's employees right down to the room service and custodial folks were professional and courteous at all times. The Huntsman Institute needs to be the example for all health care facilities.
UofU Patient
July 05, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Amazing care and concern. Excellent
UofU Patient
July 05, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr. Dechet always spends time with me discussing my condition.
UofU Patient
June 27, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Extremely competent. Great experience.
UofU Patient
June 22, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr Dechet and his staff are wonderful, listen well, and are great at describing our plan.
UofU Patient
June 18, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Everything concerning my cancer and the treatment needed was explained to me fully and in a manner I could easily understand. This gave me great confidence. I feel extremely blessed to be treated by Dr. Dechet and the Huntsman Cancer Center.
UofU Patient
May 30, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Eight minutes is not enough time to get into a conversation of the above topics.
UofU Patient
May 23, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Great discussions and future action planning
UofU Patient
May 22, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr. Dechet was excellent in his communication about my condition. He was caring, articulate and thorough in his explanations.
UofU Patient
May 16, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr. Decet impressed me with his knowledge and understanding of my history and concerns and possibilities for future treatment.
UofU Patient
May 13, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
good
Christopher Dechet, MD, FACS is an associate professor in the Division of Urology, Department of Surgery at the University of Utah. He currently serves as the Co-director of the Multidisciplinary Urologic Oncology Group at the Huntsman Cancer Institute. 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, endoscopic, 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 10 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.
Academic Locations
Board Certification and Academic Information
| Academic Departments | Surgery
-
Professor (Clinical) |
| Academic Divisions | Urology |
| Board Certification | American Board of Urology |
Education History
| Residency | Mayo Clinic Urology Resident, 2001 |
| Internship | Mayo Clinic Surgery Intern, 1996 |
| Professional Medical | University of Pennsylvania Medicine M.D., 1995 |
| Undergraduate | Stanford University German Studies B.A., 1989 |
Selected Publications - Journal Articles
Journal Article
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Anker CJ, Dechet CB, Issac JC, Akerley W, Shrieve DC (2008). Small-Cell Carcinoma of the Prostate. J Clin Oncol, 26(7), 1168-1171.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Dechet CB, Young MM, Segura JW (1999). Laparoscopic transureteroureterostomy: demonstration of its feasibility in swine. J Endourol, 13(7), 487-93.
- 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.
- 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
- Mayer E, Myers J, Dechet CB (2017). Urethrectomy. In Smith J, Howards S, Preminger G. (Eds.), Hinman's Atlas of Urologic Surgery (4th). Philadelphia: Elsevier Saunders.
- 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.
- 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.
- Dechet CB, King B, Barrett D (2000). Radiology of Prosthesis for Urinary Incontinence. In Pollack and McClennan (Eds.), Clinical Urography (ed.2).
Case Report
- 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
- Barabas A, Dechet CB (2005). The use of the Lapara Ty to Reduce Warm Ischemic Times during Laparoscopic Partial Nephrectomy (video) [Video].