David A. Wada
( out of 36 reviews )

David A. Wada, MD

Languages spoken: English

Clinical Locations

Primary Location

Huntsman Cancer Institute - Cancer Hospital South

Clinic 2C, Dermatology/Melanoma
1950 Circle of Hope
Salt Lake City , UT 84112
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  • David Wada, MD is a dermatologist who specializes in cutaneous oncology. His clinical focus is centered on the diagnosis and treatment of cutaneous lymphoma, lymphomatoid disorders (skin conditions that resemble lymphoma), melanoma, and non-melanoma skin cancers. He has directed the Multidisciplinary Cutaneous Lymphoma program at the Huntsman Cancer Institute since 2012. He has been involved in multiple clinical trials associated with the treatment of cutaneous malignancies at the Huntsman Cancer Institute. He is board-certified in dermatology, dermatopathology, and anatomic and clinical pathology, and is also the director of the Dermatopathology Laboratory at the University of Utah. As a practicing dermatopathologist, Dr. Wada specializes in the interpretation of skin biopsies to help ensure that an accurate diagnosis of skin cancer is obtained and he has a particular interest in the pathology of skin lymphoma and related diseases.

    Specialties

    Board Certification

    American Board of Dermatology
    National Board of Medical Examiners
    American Board of Pathology (Clinical Path)
    American Board of Pathology (Sub: Dermatopathology)
    American Board of Pathology (Sub: Anatomic Path)

    Patient Rating

    5.0 /5
    ( out of 36 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.

    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER

    Top of the line

    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER

    He asked me questions about my thoughts - recognized and respected my body. He was a partner in my care and it mattered.

    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER

    excellent experience

    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER

    Dr. Wada and Mary Ann Bowling very knowledgeable, professional and have great communication skills. My interaction with this team is always entertaining.

    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER

    Very caring, open to questions, always has the answer. I feel like my well being is his priority.

    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER

    Im glad about this service.

    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER

    Very knowledgeable and courteous.

    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER

    Dr. Wada is very respectful and informative.

    HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER

    Thank you so much for everything! I feel so much better knowing your team is taking care of me.

  • David Wada, MD is a dermatologist who specializes in cutaneous oncology. His clinical focus is centered on the diagnosis and treatment of cutaneous lymphoma, lymphomatoid disorders (skin conditions that resemble lymphoma), melanoma, and non-melanoma skin cancers. He has directed the Multidisciplinary Cutaneous Lymphoma program at the Huntsman Cancer Institute since 2012. He has been involved in multiple clinical trials associated with the treatment of cutaneous malignancies at the Huntsman Cancer Institute. He is board-certified in dermatology, dermatopathology, and anatomic and clinical pathology, and is also the director of the Dermatopathology Laboratory at the University of Utah. As a practicing dermatopathologist, Dr. Wada specializes in the interpretation of skin biopsies to help ensure that an accurate diagnosis of skin cancer is obtained and he has a particular interest in the pathology of skin lymphoma and related diseases.

    Board Certification and Academic Information

    Academic Departments Dermatology -Associate Professor (Clinical)
    Board Certification
    American Board of Dermatology
    National Board of Medical Examiners
    American Board of Pathology (Clinical Path)
    American Board of Pathology (Sub: Dermatopathology)
    American Board of Pathology (Sub: Anatomic Path)

    Education history

    Undergraduate Biology, with Distinction - University of Hawaii B.A.
    Graduate Training Biomedical Sciences, Cell, Molecular, & Neuroscience Interdisciplinary Program - University of Hawaii M.S.
    Professional Medical Medicine - University of Hawaii School of Medicine M.D.
    Internship Internal Medicine - Exempla St. Joseph¿s Hospital Intern
    Residency Anatomic and Clinical Pathology - University of Utah Health Sciences Center Resident
    Fellowship Dermatopathology - Mayo Clinic Fellow
    Fellowship Dermatology - Mayo Clinic Fellow
    Residency Dermatology - Mayo Clinic Resident

    Selected Publications

    Journal Article

    1. Flores S, Wada DA, Florell SR, Bowen A (2020). Pretibial Pruritic Papular Dermatitis: A Comprehensive Clinical and Pathologic Review of Cases at a Single Institution. The American Journal of dermatopathology, 42(1), 16-19. (Read full publication)
    2. Wada DA, Perkins SL, Tripp S, Coffin CM, Florell S (2007). Human herpesvirus 8 and iron staining are useful in differentiating Kaposi sarcoma from interstitial granuloma annulare. American journal of clinical pathology, 127(2), 263-70. (Read full publication)
    3. Wada DA, Wilcox RA, Harrington SM, Kwon ED, Ansell SM, Comfere N (2011). Programmed death 1 is expressed in cutaneous infiltrates of mycosis fungoides and Sezary syndrome. American journal of hematology, 86(3), 325-7. (Read full publication)
    4. Wilcox RA, Wada DA, Ziesmer SC, Elsawa SF, Comfere NI, Dietz AB, Novak AJ, Witzig TE, Feldman AL, Pittelkow MR, Ansell S (2009). Monocytes promote tumor cell survival in T-cell lymphoproliferative disorders and are impaired in their ability to differentiate into mature dendritic cells. Blood, 114(14), 2936-44. (Read full publication)
    5. Gardner LJ, Ward M, Andtbacka RHI, Boucher KM, Bowen GM, Bowles TL, Cohen AL, Grossmann K, Hitchcock YJ, Holmen SL, Hyngstrom J, Khong H, McMahon M, Monroe MM, Ross CB, Suneja G, Wada D, Grossman (2017). Risk factors for development of melanoma brain metastasis and disease progression: a single-center retrospective analysis. Melanoma research, 27(5), 477-484. (Read full publication)
    6. de Souza A, Camilleri MJ, Wada DA, Appert DL, Gibson LE, el-Azhary R (2009). Clinical, histopathologic, and immunophenotypic features of lymphomatoid papulosis with CD8 predominance in 14 pediatric patients. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 61(6), 993-1000. (Read full publication)
    7. Podjasek JO, Wetter DA, Pittelkow MR, Wada D (2012). Cutaneous small-vessel vasculitis associated with solid organ malignancies: the Mayo Clinic experience, 1996 to 2009. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 66(2), e55-65. (Read full publication)
    8. Hendi A, Wada DA, Jacobs MA, Crook JE, Kortuem KR, Weed BR, Otley CC, Gibson L (2011). Melanocytes in nonlesional sun-exposed skin: a multicenter comparative study. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 65(6), 1186-93. (Read full publication)
    9. Grossman D, Farnham JM, Hyngstrom J, Klapperich ME, Secrest AM, Empey S, Bowen GM, Wada D, Andtbacka RHI, Grossmann K, Bowles TL, Cannon-Albright L (2018). Similar survival of patients with multiple versus single primary melanomas based on Utah Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results data (1973-2011). Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 79(2), 238-244. (Read full publication)
    10. Wada DA, Wilcox RA, Weenig RH, Gibson L (2010). Paucity of intraepidermal FoxP3-positive T cells in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma in contrast with spongiotic and lichenoid dermatitis. Journal of cutaneous pathology, 37(5), 535-41. (Read full publication)
    11. Hocker TL, Wada DA, El-Azhary R, Gibson L (2012). Expression of T-cell receptor-gammadelta in normal human skin, inflammatory dermatoses and mycosis fungoides. Journal of cutaneous pathology, 39(4), 419-24. (Read full publication)
    12. Oishi N, Sartori-Valinotti JC, Bennani NN, Wada DA, He R, Cappel MA, Feldman A (2019). Cutaneous lesions of angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma: Clinical, pathological, and immunophenotypic features. Journal of cutaneous pathology, 46, 637-644. (Read full publication)
    13. Laggis C, Wada D, Shah A, Zussman (2020). Eosinophils are surprisingly common in biopsy specimens of cutaneous herpes simplex virus and varicella zoster virus infections: Results of a comprehensive histopathologic and clinical appraisal. Journal of cutaneous pathology, 47(1), 6-11. (Read full publication)
    14. Wada DA, Law ME, Hsi ED, Dicaudo DJ, Ma L, Lim MS, Souza Ad, Comfere NI, Weenig RH, Macon WR, Erickson LA, Ozsan N, Ansell SM, Dogan A, Feldman A (2011). Specificity of IRF4 translocations for primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma: a multicenter study of 204 skin biopsies. Modern pathology, 24(4), 596-605. (Read full publication)
    15. C.W. Laggis A. Lamb A.M. Secrest N. Ufkes A.S. Halwani R. Tao D. Gaffney R.R. Miles S.R. Florell D. Wad (2020). Favourable outcomes in folliculotropic mycosis fungoides after multimodality treatment in a single institution. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology,
    16. Elkeeb D, Hopkins Z, Miles RR, Halwani A, Wada (2018). Ominous cutaneous presentation of acute myeloid leukemia without peripheral blood involvement upon initial presentation and relapse: case report and literature review. European journal of dermatology, 28(6), 809-817. (Read full publication)
    17. Clark JJ, Hawkes JE, Florell SR, Miles RR, Wada D (2019). Cutaneous T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and the Expression Pattern of Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl Transferase Immunostaining in Mycosis Fungoides and Spongiotic Dermatitis. Dermatopathology (Basel, Switzerland), 6(3), 182-188. (Read full publication)
    18. Elkeeb DM, Hopkins ZH, Bolender CM, Moreno C, Florell SR, Bowen AR, Vitale P, Zussman J, Duffy K, Grossman D, Secrest AM, Wada D (2023). A Single-Institution Cohort Study With Nevi of Special Site: Recurrence, Progression to Melanoma, and Patterns of Management. The American Journal of dermatopathology, 45(1), 28-39. (Read full publication)
    19. Grant GJ, Wada DA, Madigan L (2022). Erythematous papules and umbilicated pustules on a man with proctitis. International journal of dermatology, (Read full publication)
    20. Parsons MW, Wada DA, Halwani AS, Tao R, Gaffney D (2022). Improved overall survival over time in advanced stage mycosis fungoides: a cross-sectional study. Leukemia & lymphoma, 63(10), 2428-2435. (Read full publication)
    21. Abbott J, Corean J, Snyder AM, Florell SR, Miles R, Stephens D, Wada D (2023). Folliculocentric lymphocytic hypersensitivity reactions in CLL/SLL patients: A unique clinicopathologic entity amongst non-specific hypersensitivity reactions. Skin health and disease, 3(3), e208. (Read full publication)
    22. Brunsgaard EK, Bowles TL, Asare EA, Grossmann K, Boucher KM, Grossmann A, Jackson JA, Wada DA, Rathore R, Budde G, Grandemange A, Hyngstrom J (2023). Feasibility of personalized circulating tumor DNA detection in stage II and III melanoma. Melanoma research, 33(3), 184-191. (Read full publication)
    23. Gociman S, Wada DA, Bowen AR, Florell SR, Ng D, Madigan L (2023). Young Woman With Annular and Purpuric Plaques in the Setting of High Fevers: Challenge. The American Journal of dermatopathology, 45(5), e32-e34. (Read full publication)
    24. Gociman S, Wada DA, Bowen AR, Florell SR, Ng D, Madigan L (2023). Young Woman With Annular and Purpuric Plaques in the Setting of High Fevers: Answer. The American Journal of dermatopathology, 45(5), 344-345. (Read full publication)
    25. Abbott J, Corean J, Laggis C, Halwani A, Toydemir R, Miles R, Florell S, Wada (2022). Histological Transformation and Clonal Relationship of Subcutaneous Marginal Zone B-Cell Lymphoma and Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma. The American Journal of dermatopathology, 44(6), 442-448. (Read full publication)
    26. Kasera S,Weil CR,Wada D,Bowling M,Hu B,Gaffney DK,Maity A,Tao (2024). Ultra-low dose radiation therapy for primary cutaneous indolent B-cell lymphomas. JEADV clinical practice, 3(4), 1190-1194. (Read full publication)
    27. Kuceki G,Nguyen C,Ng D,Wada D,Mathis (2023). Oral diffuse large B-cell lymphoma presenting as a bland nodule. JAAD case reports, 36, 34-37. (Read full publication)
    28. Abbott J,Corean J,Snyder AM,Florell SR,Miles R,Stephens D,Wada D (2023). Folliculocentric lymphocytic hypersensitivity reactions in CLL/SLL patients: A unique clinicopathologic entity amongst non-specific hypersensitivity reactions. JAAD case reports, 3(3), (Read full publication)
    29. Grant GJ,Sahni DR,Florell AJ,Hull CM,Florell SR,Miles RR,Wada DA,Bowen A (2023). An atypical case of eosinophilic pustular folliculitis with associated secondary follicular mucinosis treated with indomethacin. PloS one, 34, 86-89. (Read full publication)
    30. Abbott J,Westerdahl JS,Wada D,Klein S,Mathis (2022). Paraneoplastic subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus with mucositis. PloS one, 22, 38-41. (Read full publication)
    31. Cowan N,Coman G,Duffy K,Wada D (2019). Treatment of recalcitrant mycosis fungoides with topical gentian violet. PloS one, 5(5), 413-415. (Read full publication)
    32. Florell AJ,Wada DA,Hawkes J (2017). Linear focal elastosis associated with exercise. PloS one, 3(1), 39-41. (Read full publication)
    33. Broadbent E,Spivak AM,Kartes J,Lawyer P,Wada DA,Zussman J,Schmidt (2024). Persistent, sterile necrotizing granulomatous dermatitis following treatment of 20-year Mycobacterium marinum infection. JAAD case reports, 53, 86-89. (Read full publication)
    34. Grant GJ, Sahni DR, Florell AJ, Hull CM, Florell SR, Miles RR, Wada DA, Bowen A (2023). An atypical case of eosinophilic pustular folliculitis with associated secondary follicular mucinosis treated with indomethacin. JAAD case reports, 34, 86-89. (Read full publication)
    35. Kuceki G, Nguyen C, Ng D, Wada D, Mathis (2023). Oral diffuse large B-cell lymphoma presenting as a bland nodule. JAAD case reports, 36, 34-37. (Read full publication)
    36. Abbott J, Westerdahl JS, Wada D, Klein S, Mathis (2022). Paraneoplastic subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus with mucositis. JAAD case reports, 22, 38-41. (Read full publication)
    37. Stephens D, Atkinson A, Abbot J, Bowling M, Williams J, Pomicter T, Fitzgerald L, Wada (2022). High Prevalence of Beta-Human Papilloma Virus in Patients wtih Concurrent Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer. Blood, 140(Supplement 1), 7053.
    38. Orton CJ, Hopkins ZH, Trump B, Kroes A, Lebiedz-Odrobina D, Clardy SL, Florell A, Bowen AR, Duffy K, Wada DA, Florell S (2025). Assessing Real-World Utilization/Performance of Salivary Gland Biopsy in Diagnosis of Sjögren Disease: Impact of Overweighting Without Objective Glandular Testing. Journal of clinical rheumatology, (Read full publication)
    39. Hieken TJ, Egger ME, Angeles CV, Hyngstrom JR, Burke EE, Lowe MC, Beasley GM, Bartlett EK, Bresler SC, Harms KL, Zager JS, Lehman JS, Wasif N, Bagaria SP, McMasters KM, Wada DA, Pandalai P, Delman KA, Lee J, Busam KJ, Messina JL, Sondak V (2025). Gene Expression Profile-Based Test to Predict Melanoma Sentinel Node Status: The MERLIN_001 Study. JAMA surgery, (Read full publication)
    40. Broadbent E, Spivak AM, Kartes J, Lawyer P, Wada DA, Zussman J, Schmidt (2024). Persistent, sterile necrotizing granulomatous dermatitis following treatment of 20-year Mycobacterium marinum infection. JAAD case reports, 53, 86-89. (Read full publication)
    41. Howell JN, Mark B, Wada DA, Bowling M, Wei M, Lloyd SL, Gaffney DK, Maity A, LaRiviere MJ, Rule WG, Grant JD, Deshmukh V, Newman M, Date A, Hashibe M, Tao (2025). Mental Health Diagnoses in Patients With Mycosis Fungoides and Potential Impact on Oncologic Outcomes. Cancer medicine, 14(5), e70577. (Read full publication)
    42. Kendra KL, Bellasea SL, Eroglu Z, Hu-Lieskovan S, Campbell KM, Carson WE 3rd, Wada DA, Plaza JA, Sosman JA, In GK, Ikeguchi A, Hyngstrom J, Brohl AS, Khushalani NI, Markowitz J, Negrea G, Kasbari S, Doolittle GC, Swami U, Roberts T, Mathew BN, Medina E, Baselga-Carretero I, Gonzalez CR, Garcilazo IP, Vega-Crespo A, Chen JM, Naser Al-Deen N, Patel SP, Sharon E, Moon J, Wu MC, Ribas (2025). Anti-PD-1 therapy in unresectable desmoplastic melanoma: the phase 2 SWOG S1512 trial. Nature medicine, (Read full publication)

    Review

    1. Madigan LM, Boggs NA, Rets AV, Gru AA, Tashi T, Wada DA, Florell SR, Carter M (2025). Mastocytosis in the Skin: Approach to Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Management in Adult and Pediatric Patients. American journal of clinical dermatology, 26(4), 499-510. (Read full publication)

    Case Report

    1. Laggis C, Miles R, Stephens DM, Duffy K, Bowen A, Wada (2019). Cutaneous mantle cell lymphoma histomorphologically mimicking subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma: Case report. Journal of cutaneous pathology, 46(7), 538-541. (Read full publication)
    2. Florell AJ, Wada DA, Hawkes J (2017). Linear focal elastosis associated with exercise. JAAD case reports, 3(1), 39-41. (Read full publication)
    3. Cowan N, Coman G, Duffy K, Wada D (2019). Treatment of recalcitrant mycosis fungoides with topical gentian violet. JAAD case reports, 5(5), 413-415. (Read full publication)
    4. Elkeeb D, Hopkins Z, Wada D, Rhoads JL (2018). A case of primary cutaneous malakoplakia in a cardiac transplant recipient. JAAD case reports, 4(10), 982-984. (Read full publication)

    Letter

    1. Wagner AE, Wada D, Bowen G, Gaffney D (2013). Mycosis fungoides: the addition of concurrent and adjuvant interferon to total skin electron beam therapy. The British journal of dermatology, 169(3), 715-8. (Read full publication)
    2. Hyde MA, Wada D (2019). Patient education and support group for patients with cutaneous lymphoma and their caregivers. Clinical and experimental dermatology, 44(1), 84-85. (Read full publication)
    3. Laggis CW, Lamb A, Secrest AM, Ufkes N, Halwani AS, Tao R, Gaffney D, Miles RR, Florell SR, Wada (2021). Favourable outcomes in folliculotropic mycosis fungoides after multimodality treatment in a single institution. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 35(1), e42-e45. (Read full publication)
    4. Lee K, Evans MG, Yang L, Ng S, Snowden C, Khodadoust M, Brown RA, Trum NA, Querfeld C, Doan LT, Song J, Zhang H, Gru AA, Wood GS, Wada DA, Shanmugam V, Haun PL, Aster JC, Duncan LM, Guitart J, Weinstock DM, Nardi V, Choi (2021). Primary cytotoxic T-cell lymphomas harbor recurrent targetable alterations in the JAK-STAT pathway. Blood, 138(23), 2435-2440. (Read full publication)
    5. Chavan RN,Bridges AG,Knudson RA,Ketterling RP,Comfere N,Wada DA,Torres-Cabala C,Di Caudo DJ,Vasmatzis G,Pittelkow MR,Feldman A (2014). Somatic rearrangement of the TP63 gene preceding development of mycosis fungoides with aggressive clinical course. PloS one, 4(10), (Read full publication)

    Other

    1. Madigan LM, Boggs NA, Rets AV, Gru AA, Tashi T, Wada DA, Florell SR, Carter M (2025). Correction to: Mastocytosis in the Skin: Approach to Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Management in Adult and Pediatric Patients. American journal of clinical dermatology, 26(5), 851. (Read full publication)
    2. Kendra KL, Bellasea SL, Eroglu Z, Hu-Lieskovan S, Campbell KM, Carson WE 3rd, Wada DA, Plaza JA, Sosman JA, In GK, Ikeguchi A, Hyngstrom J, Brohl AS, Khushalani NI, Markowitz J, Negrea G, Kasbari S, Doolittle GC, Swami U, Roberts T, Mathew BN, Medina E, Baselga-Carretero I, Gonzalez CR, Garcilazo IP, Vega-Crespo A, Chen JM, Naser Al-Deen N, Patel SP, Sharon E, Moon J, Wu MC, Ribas (2025). Publisher Correction: Anti-PD-1 therapy in unresectable desmoplastic melanoma: the phase 2 SWOG S1512 trial. Nature medicine, (Read full publication)