Alejandro Sanchez,
MD
Languages Spoken: English, Spanish
Clinical Information
Dr. Alejandro Sanchez is a native of Cali, Colombia. He is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Urology at the University of Utah School of Medicine and a Huntsman Cancer Institute investigator. Dr. Sanchez specializes in the surgical care of patients with urologic cancers using open, laparoscopic, robotic and endoscopic techniques. His practice at the Huntsman Cancer Institute primarily focuses on the multidisciplinary treatment of patients with prostate, bladder, kidney, testicular, adrenal, urethral and penile cancers.
Academic Information
Dr. Sanchez received his undergraduate degree from the University of Florida where he graduated Summa Cum Laude in Biochemistry. He earned his medical degree from Harvard Medical School and completed his urologic surgery training at Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr. Sanchez then completed a fellowship in urologic oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center where he received a Young Investigator Award from the American Society of Urologic Oncology to evaluate the mechanisms underlying the association of sarcopenia (low skeletal muscle mass) and poor oncologic outcomes in patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma. During his fellowship, Dr. Sanchez also received the Chairman’s Award for Excellence in Basic Science.
As an Assistant Professor in the Division of Urology at the University of Utah School of Medicine and Huntsman Cancer Institute, Dr. Sanchez’s research efforts are primarily focused on clinical trial development and translational research.
Clinical Locations
Clinic 2B, GU
801-587-4381
Fax: (801) 585-0155
Board Certification and Academic Information
| Academic Departments | Surgery
-
Assistant Professor (Clinical) |
| Academic Divisions | 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
4.7/ 5
Care provider's explanation of condition/problem
4.7/ 5
Care provider's effort to include me in decisions
4.7/ 5
Wait time at clinic
4.0/ 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
October 05, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
I wish we could clone your center and the staff and plop it in the middle of Las Vegas. We need a center like yours in town to show everyone here how it's done.
UofU Patient
October 05, 2021
SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
Dr. Sanchez is very personable and answered and addressed every question and concern I had with complete thoroughness and care.
UofU Patient
September 11, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
I was very impressed with the PA and the Doctor.
UofU Patient
September 07, 2021
SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
Dr. Sanchez and I are new to each other and we are still getting acquainted but my visit this day was excellent, helpful, course of care carefully discussed. I have a lot of confidence in him and he certainly did a sterling job on my biopsy not long ago. He Is clearly an outstanding physician.
UofU Patient
September 05, 2021
SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
Dr. Sanchez is excellent in every way! I look forward to meeting with him!
UofU Patient
September 04, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
We love dr Swami
UofU Patient
July 25, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr Sanchez is a great Doctor. He guided me through my cancer treatment treatment treatment and surgery. I was lucky to have him.
UofU Patient
July 25, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Great experience.
UofU Patient
July 23, 2021
SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
Extremely professional and personal.
UofU Patient
July 19, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Very pleasant environment.
UofU Patient
July 17, 2021
SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
Oh
UofU Patient
July 16, 2021
SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
I wanted surgical removal of the problem and the doctor was very reluctant to do that because he was worried that I would not survive the surgery.
UofU Patient
July 10, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
PA was so knowledgeable . We were more than satisfied with all Jeff's explanations. It was so professional and helpful. Very good experience.thank you so much Jeff.Doctor Sanchez as always. The best. He is fantastic doctor and we love him. Thank you!!!
UofU Patient
July 09, 2021
SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
For Dr. Sanchez himself, I would always choose "Very Good".
UofU Patient
July 03, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Very impressed
UofU Patient
July 02, 2021
SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
They are awesome, I would highly recommend them to family, friends whomever would need their help.
UofU Patient
July 02, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr. Sanchez is so personable & took a lot of time to explain treatment plan & answer all of my many questions! Wonderful experience!
UofU Patient
June 27, 2021
SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
Good experience
UofU Patient
June 18, 2021
SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
Dr. Sanchez & staff were amazing! I felt like I was only patient in clinic as they took time to explain everything in great detail. Showed such compassion with all my questions.
UofU Patient
June 11, 2021
SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
Not one complaint, very satisfied.
UofU Patient
May 29, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Doctor had a resident with him so attention was directed to him. The change of course explanation was brief and I was not sure about it before the doctor left.
UofU Patient
May 21, 2021
SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
good to work with
UofU Patient
May 14, 2021
SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
Alejandro Sanchez MD was very easy to understand as he explained my condition and my treatment options. He was kind, thorough and answered my questions. He listened carefully to my concerns and gave clear answers. Dr. Sanchez instills confidence in his expertise and skills.
UofU Patient
May 06, 2021
SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
Dr. Sanchez is AMAZING!
UofU Patient
May 04, 2021
SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
all experiences with Dr. Sanchez have been great!
UofU Patient
May 01, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
I could use a detailed email or message on MyChart because I forgot what I was instructed to get to clean myself out before arriving.
UofU Patient
April 23, 2021
SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
Dr Sanchez was great
UofU Patient
April 18, 2021
SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
This is my second round with cancer and I wouldn't trust my care with anyone but the providers at HCC/UofU Health.
UofU Patient
April 10, 2021
SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
NP, PA, and Dr. we're superb!
UofU Patient
April 01, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
As previously noted, Dr. Sanchez and I are new to each other and when our conference was finally accomplished I was completely satisfied with that discussion and his medical recommendations for continuing with the next day surgery. Indeed, I was anxious to get to it, given his patient and professional conversation with me. He is clearly a great physician and I am pleased he has taken up my care.
UofU Patient
March 29, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Can't say enough about Dr. Sanchez and the whole staff as far as thier care and consideration of me. Great group!!
UofU Patient
March 27, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
I had a very positive and confirming visit for my current condition and feel very comfortable going forward with future visits.
UofU Patient
March 26, 2021
SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
GOOD EXPERIENCE
UofU Patient
March 17, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
physicians are very good at listening to your concerns.
UofU Patient
March 06, 2021
SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
provider was very unconcerned about about my condition. and offered no explination for my problem
UofU Patient
March 05, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Still getting acquainted with Dr. Sanchez. Not much to comment on just yet.
UofU Patient
February 27, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr. Sanchez was very thorough and not in a rush. all my questions were answered completely.
UofU Patient
February 06, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
awesome
UofU Patient
February 02, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
urine test cancelled the cystoscope. Not much time to get acquainted with Doctor. It was fine for its limited purpose
UofU Patient
January 17, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Some of the discussion items on the review paperwork given to me were not actually dicussed. I must presume a standard template is used.
UofU Patient
January 16, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
great
UofU Patient
January 12, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Very Good!!
UofU Patient
January 11, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
My visit was so well taken care of. Care and concern was over the top...
UofU Patient
January 10, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
over the top
UofU Patient
December 19, 2020
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr. Sanchez discussed the plan for following the growth of new lesions and additional ID strategies. much appreciated.
UofU Patient
December 16, 2020
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr. Sanchez came in prior to the procedure to introduce himself, explain things a bit, and ask if I would allow observers, which I did. During the procedure he checked with me to see how I was doing which I appreciated. He seemed very proficient and experienced and the ordeal was not prolonged any more than necessary I trust. I felt I was in good hands and appreciate his skill and social skills.
UofU Patient
December 14, 2020
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
no bad experiences, every thing went very well
UofU Patient
December 13, 2020
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Everyone I dealt with was great.
UofU Patient
December 12, 2020
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr. Sanchez was very brief and did not clearly explain nano-spectra therapy, thank goodness Dr. Tward explained both radiation therapy and nano-spectra therapy very well, and answered all my questions.
UofU Patient
December 12, 2020
SUGAR HOUSE HEALTH CENTER
I wish I have gotten more information about incontinence. I was not fully prepared with what was going to happen after the catheter was removed. If I have gotten more information about how to deal with the initial incontinence after the catheter was removed I would have order supplies before hand. I know everybody is different but a little more info on dealing with incontinence would have been helpful.
Clinical Information
Dr. Alejandro Sanchez is a native of Cali, Colombia. He is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Urology at the University of Utah School of Medicine and a Huntsman Cancer Institute investigator. Dr. Sanchez specializes in the surgical care of patients with urologic cancers using open, laparoscopic, robotic and endoscopic techniques. His practice at the Huntsman Cancer Institute primarily focuses on the multidisciplinary treatment of patients with prostate, bladder, kidney, testicular, adrenal, urethral and penile cancers.
Academic Information
Dr. Sanchez received his undergraduate degree from the University of Florida where he graduated Summa Cum Laude in Biochemistry. He earned his medical degree from Harvard Medical School and completed his urologic surgery training at Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr. Sanchez then completed a fellowship in urologic oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center where he received a Young Investigator Award from the American Society of Urologic Oncology to evaluate the mechanisms underlying the association of sarcopenia (low skeletal muscle mass) and poor oncologic outcomes in patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma. During his fellowship, Dr. Sanchez also received the Chairman’s Award for Excellence in Basic Science.
As an Assistant Professor in the Division of Urology at the University of Utah School of Medicine and Huntsman Cancer Institute, Dr. Sanchez’s research efforts are primarily focused on clinical trial development and translational research.
Academic Locations
Board Certification and Academic Information
| Academic Departments | Surgery
-
Assistant Professor (Clinical) |
| Academic Divisions | Urology |
Education History
| Fellowship | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Urologic Oncology Fellow, 2019 |
| Certification | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Clinical Research Methodology Certificate, 2018 |
| Postdoctoral Training | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Epidemiology Visiting Scientist, 2017 |
| Residency | Massachusetts General Hospital Urologic Surgery Resident, 2016 |
| Internship | Massachusetts General Hospital General Surgery Intern, 2012 |
| Professional Medical | Harvard Medical School Medicine M.D., 2011 |
| Undergraduate | University of Florida Biochemistry and Microbiology B.S., 2006 |
Selected Publications - Journal Articles
Journal Article
- Mano R, Duzgol C, Ganat M, Goldman DA, Blum KA, Silagy AW, Walasek A, Sanchez A, DiNatale RG, Marcon J, Kashan M, Becerra MF, Benfante NE, Coleman JA, Kattan MW, Russo P, Akin O, Ostrovnaya I, Hakimi AA (2021). Somatic mutations as preoperative predictors of metastases in patients with localized clear cell renal cell carcinoma - An exploratory analysis. (Epub ahead of print) Urol Oncol.
- Hutten RJ, Parsons MW, Weil CR, Tward JD, Lloyd S, Sanchez A, Lester-Coll N, Johnson SB (2021). Temporal Trends and Predictors in Diagnosing Pathologic Node-Positive Prostate Cancer in Clinically Node-Negative Patients. (Epub ahead of print) Clin Genitourin Cancer.
- Sanchez A, Agarwal N (2021). Quantifying the Costs of Care Among Patients With High-Risk Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer Treated in the Veterans Health Administration. JAMA Netw Open, 4(3), e213816.
- Sanchez A, Furberg H (2020). Understanding the obesity paradox in cancer: looking to body composition and tumor-specific biology to understand this complex association. (Epub ahead of print) Am J Clin Nutr.
- Mano R, Duzgol C, Ganat M, Goldman DA, Blum KA, Silagy AW, Walasek A, Sanchez A, DiNatale RG, Marcon J, Kashan M, Becerra MF, Benfante N, Coleman JA, Kattan MW, Russo P, Akin O, Ostrovnaya I, Hakimi AA (2020). Preoperative nomogram predicting 12-year probability of metastatic renal cancer - evaluation in a contemporary cohort. Urol Oncol, 38(11), 853.e1-853.e7.
- Sanchez A, Kissel S, Coletta A, Scott J, Furberg H (2020). Impact of body size and body composition on bladder cancer outcomes: Risk stratification and opportunity for novel interventions. Urol Oncol, 38(9), 713-718.
- Kissel S, Sanchez A (2020). Editorial Comment. J Urol, 204(3), 569.
- Sanchez A, Furberg H, Kuo F, Vuong L, Ged Y, Patil S, Ostrovnaya I, Petruzella S, Reising A, Patel P, Mano R, Coleman J, Russo P, Liu CH, Dannenberg AJ, Chan TA, Motzer R, Voss MH, Hakimi AA (2019). Transcriptomic signatures related to the obesity paradox in patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma: a cohort study. Lancet Oncol, 21(2), 283-293.
- Mano R, Flynn J, Blum KA, Silagy AW, DiNatale RG, Marcon J, Wang A, Sanchez A, Coleman JA, Russo P, Ostrovnaya I, Hakimi AA (2019). The predictive role of preoperative and postoperative neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio in sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma. Urol Oncol, 37(12), 916-923.
- DiNatale RG, Xie W, Becerra MF, Silagy AW, Attalla K, Sanchez A, Mano R, Marcon J, Blum KA, Benfante NE, Voss MH, Motzer RJ, Coleman J, Choueiri TK, Reznik E, Russo P, Heng DYC, Hakimi AA (2019). The Association Between Small Primary Tumor Size and Prognosis in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma: Insights from Two Independent Cohorts of Patients Who Underwent Cytoreductive Nephrectomy. (Epub ahead of print) Eur Urol Oncol.
- Silagy AW, Sanchez A, Manley BJ, Bensalah K, Bex A, Karam JA, Ljungberg B, Shuch B, Hakimi AA (2019). Harnessing the Genomic Landscape of the Small Renal Mass to Guide Clinical Management. Eur Urol Focus, 5(6), 949-957.
- Silagy AW, Flynn J, Mano R, Blum KA, Marcon J, DiNatale RG, Sanchez A, Carlo MI, Motzer RJ, Coleman JA, Russo P, Ostrovnaya I, Chen YB, Hakimi AA (2019). Clinicopathologic features associated with survival after cytoreductive nephrectomy for nonclear cell renal cell carcinoma. Urol Oncol, 37(11), 811.e9-811.e16.
- Gupta S, Argani P, Jungbluth AA, Chen YB, Tickoo SK, Fine SW, Gopalan A, Al-Ahmadie HA, Sirintrapun SJ, Sanchez A, Hakimi AA, Mcfarlane T, Salazar PA, Williamson SR, Skala SL, Mehra R, Hes O, Antonescu CR, Ladanyi M, Arcila ME, Reuter VE (2020). TFEB Expression Profiling in Renal Cell Carcinomas: Clinicopathologic Correlations. Am J Surg Pathol, 43(11), 1445-1461.
- DiNatale RG, Sanchez A, Hakimi AA, Reznik E (2019). Metabolomics informs common patterns of molecular dysfunction across histologies of renal cell carcinoma. (Epub ahead of print) Urol Oncol.
- Hakimi AA, Voss MH, Kuo F, Sanchez A, Liu M, Nixon B, Vuong L, Ostrovnaya I, Chen YB, Reuter VE, Riaz N, Cheng Y, Patel P, Marker M, Reising A, Li M, Chan TA, Motzer RJ (2019). Genomic and transcriptomic predictors of tyrosine kinase inhibitor response in the COMPARZ phase III trial. Cancer Discov, 9(4), 510-25.
- Hakimi AA, Voss MH, Kuo F, Sanchez A, Liu M, Nixon BG, Vuong L, Ostrovnaya I, Chen YB, Reuter V, Riaz N, Cheng Y, Patel P, Marker M, Reising A, Li MO, Chan TA, Motzer RJ (2019). Transcriptomic Profiling of the Tumor Microenvironment Reveals Distinct Subgroups of Clear Cell Renal Cell Cancer: Data from a Randomized Phase III Trial. Cancer Discov, 9(4), 510-525.
- Sanchez A, Feldman AS, Hakimi AA (2018). Current Management of Small Renal Masses, Including Patient Selection, Renal Tumor Biopsy, Active Surveillance, and Thermal Ablation. J Clin Oncol, 36(36), 3591-3600.
- Kashan M, Ghanaat M, Htker AM, Duzgol C, Sanchez A, DiNatale RG, Blum KA, Becerra MF, Manley BJ, Casuscelli J, Chiok M, Coleman JA, Russo P, Tickoo SK, Akin O, Hakimi AA (2018). Cystic Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Report on Outcomes of Surgery and Active Surveillance in Patients Retrospectively Identified on Pretreatment Imaging. J Urol, 200(2), 275-282.
- Graff RE, Cho E, Preston MA, Sanchez A, Mucci LA, Wilson KM (2018). Dietary Acrylamide Intake and Risk of Renal Cell Carcinoma in Two Large Prospective Cohorts. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev, 27(8), 979-982.
- Graff RE, Sanchez A, Tobias DK, Rodrguez D, Barrisford GW, Blute ML, Li Y, Sun Q, Preston MA, Wilson KM, Cho E (2018). Type 2 Diabetes in Relation to the Risk of Renal Cell Carcinoma Among Men and Women in Two Large Prospective Cohort Studies. Diabetes Care, 41(7), 1432-1437.
- Mendonca SJ, Sanchez A, Blum KA, Ghanaat M, Kashan MY, Benfante N, Russo P, Coleman JA, Crago AM, Hakimi AA (2018). The association of renal cell carcinoma with gastrointestinal stromal tumors. J Surg Oncol, 117(8), 1716-1720.
- Sanchez A, Wszolek MF, Niemierko A, Clayman RH, Drumm M, Rodrguez D, Feldman AS, Dahl DM, Heney NM, Shipley WU, Zietman AL, Efstathiou JA (2018). Incidence, Clinicopathological Risk Factors, Management and Outcomes of Nonmuscle Invasive Recurrence after Complete Response to Trimodality Therapy for Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer. J Urol, 199(2), 407-415.
- Graff RE, Sanchez A, Tobias DK, Rodrguez D, Barrisford GW, Blute ML, Li Y, Sun Q, Preston MA, Wilson KM, Cho E (2018). The association between type 2 diabetes mellitus and incidence of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and fatal RCC in two prospective cohorts. Diabetes Care.
- Feldman AS, Meyer CP, Sanchez A, Krasnova A, Reznor G, Menon M, Kibel AS, Choueiri TK, Lipsitz SR, Sun M, Trinh QD (2017). Morbidity and Mortality of Locally Advanced Prostate Cancer: A Population Based Analysis Comparing Radical Prostatectomy versus External Beam Radiation. J Urol, 198(5), 1061-1068.
- Sanchez A, Schoenfeld JD, Nguyen PL, Fiorentino M, Chowdhury D, Stampfer MJ, Sesso HD, Giovannucci E, Mucci LA, Shui IM (2016). Common variation in BRCA1 may have a role in progression to lethal prostate cancer after radiation treatment. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis, 19(2), 197-201.
- Sanchez A, Rodriguez D, Allard CB, Bechis SK, Sullivan RJ, Boeke CE, Kuppermann D, Cheng JS, Barrisford GW, Preston MA, Feldman AS (2016). Primary genitourinary melanoma: Epidemiology and disease-specific survival in a large population-based cohort. Urol Oncol, 34(4), 166.e7-14.
- Hanske J, Sanchez A, Schmid M, Meyer CP, Abdollah F, Roghmann F, Feldman AS, Kibel AS, Sammon JD, Noldus J, Trinh QD, Eswara JR (2015). Comparison of 30-day perioperative outcomes in adults undergoing open versus minimally invasive pyeloplasty for ureteropelvic junction obstruction: analysis of 593 patients in a prospective national database. World J Urol, 33(12), 2107-13.
- Kreydin EI, Kim MM, Barrisford GW, Rodriguez D, Sanchez A, Santiago-Lastra Y, Ko DS (2015). Urinary Lignans Are Associated With Decreased Incontinence in Postmenopausal Women. Urology, 86(4), 716-20.
- Hanske J, Sanchez A, Schmid M, Meyer CP, Abdollah F, Feldman AS, Kibel AS, Sammon JD, Menon M, Eswara JR, Noldus J, Trinh QD (2015). A Comparison of 30-Day Perioperative Outcomes in Open Versus Minimally Invasive Nephroureterectomy for Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma: Analysis of 896 Patients from the American College of Surgeons-National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Database. J Endourol, 29(9), 1052-8.
- Sanchez A, Wszolek MF (2015). Bladder cancer: Quality of life in patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Nat Rev Urol, 12(4), 186-8.
- Rodrguez D, Barrisford GW, Sanchez A, Preston MA, Kreydin EI, Olumi AF (2014). Primary spermatic cord tumors: disease characteristics, prognostic factors, and treatment outcomes. Urol Oncol, 32(1), 52.e19-25.
- Sanchez A, Eisner BH (2013). Editorial comment. Urology, 82(6), 1318.
- Sanchez A, Eisner BH (2013). Re: Visceral fat is correlated with prolonged operative time in laparoscopic single-site adrenalectomy and laparoscopic adrenalectomy. Urology, 82(6), 1318.