Keith Sweeney, M.D.
Department of Anatomical Pathology, Division of Pathology-Lab Medicine Div
About Dr. Keith Sweeney
I am a board certified Anatomic and Clinical Pathology, currently working as assistant professor of breast and molecular pathology in the Division of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (DPLM) at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (UTMDACC). My primary role is to provide breast cancer specimen interpretation and diagnostic services, with a secondary role interpreting molecular genetic data from solid tumor specimens. Administratively, I represent the DPLM in the Faculty Senate and serve as Medical Director of Surgical Pathology at the UTMDACC Northwest Surgical Center. I am currently collaborating with oncologists, surgeons, radiologists, and radiation oncologists on multiple breast cancer-related clinical trials and research projects at MD Anderson Cancer Center. I am motivated to put my training as a fellow in surgical, breast, and molecular genetic pathology to the task of furthering my research interests in studies involving molecular pathways and novel genetic alterations in breast cancer with the potential for targetable therapy. My knowledge and expertise will make me an effective collaborator on the proposed research project.
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Assistant Professor, Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2015 | Albany Medical College, Albany, New York, US, MD |
| 2010 | The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, US, Molecular and Cellular Biology, BS |
| 2010 | The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, US, Physiology, BS in Health Sciences |
Postgraduate Training
| 2021-2022 | Clinical Fellowship, Molecular Genetic Pathology Fellowship, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas |
| 2020-2021 | Clinical Fellowship, Selective Breast Pathology Fellowship, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas |
| 2019-2020 | Clinical Fellowship, Selective Surgical Pathology Fellowship, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas |
| 2015-2019 | Clinical Residency, Anatomic & Clinical Pathology Residency, Stony Brook University Hospital, Stony Brook, New York |
Licenses & Certifications
| 2023 | Molecular Genetic Pathology, American Board of Pathology |
| 2022 | Texas Medical License |
| 2020 | Anatomic & Clinical Pathology, American Board of Pathology |
Experience & Service
Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities
Medical Director of Surgical Pathology at Northwest Surgical and Specialty Care Center, Anatomic Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2023 - Present
Faculty Senator, Faculty Senate, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2023 - 2025
Co-Lead Molecular Genetic Pathology Fellow, Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2021 - 2022
Program Evaluation Committee for the ACGME Annual Program Evaluation, Stony Brook University Hospital, Stony Brook, NY, 2018 - 2019
Chief Resident, Pathology, Stony Brook University Hospital, Stony Brook, NY, 2017 - 2018
Failure Mode and Effects Analysis Committee on "Irreplaceable Specimens Lost", Pathology, Stony Brook University Hospital, Stony Brook, NY, 2017 - 2018
Intramural Institutional Committee Activities
Member, Breast Imaging Chair Search Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2025 - Present
Member, AP Digital Pathology Team, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2025 - Present
Member, AP Leadership Team, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2024 - Present
Member, HAL DPLM Executive Ops Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2024 - Present
Member, Frozen Section Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2024 - Present
Member, NWSSC OR Advisory Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2023 - Present
Member, Faculty Wellness/Burnout Working Group, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2023 - Present
Honors & Awards
| 2025 - Present | OncoPitch 2025 $10,000 Awardee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2025 - Present | Shirley Stein Scientific Endowment Research Award, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2023 | Cum Laude Award - Education Exhibit at the 109th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the RSNA, Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) |
| 2023 | Outstanding Multidisciplinary Faculty Teaching Award, Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2022 | DPLM 2nd Annual Research Symposium, 1st Place Clinical Oral Presentation Award, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2022 | USCAP ISBP-BCRF Larry Norton MD Award, Trainee Abstract in Breast Pathology, 1st Place in the Research Category, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2021 | Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Research Grant for Clinical Fellow, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2020 | Best Subspecialty Fellow Lecture, Department of Pathology, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer |
| 2019 | Outstanding Resident, Department of Pathology, Stony Brook University |
| 2013 | MD Trustee Scholarship, Albany Medical College |
| 2011 | Top Honors, Summer Research Fellowships Basic Science Category, Poster Presentation Award, 8th Annual Medical Student Investigation Day, Albany Medical College |
| 2009 | John P. Foley Award for Academic Excellence, Scholarship, Rogers Corporation, Chandler, AZ |
| 2008 | Mortar Board National Honor Society Scholarship, The University of Arizona |
| 2007 | Richard C. Berry Science or Engineering Scholar, Scholarship, Rogers Corporation, Chandler, AZ |
| 2006 | National Merit Scholar |
| 2006 | Valedictorian, Red Mountain High School, Mesa, AZ |
Professional Memberships
Selected Presentations & Talks
Local Presentations
- 2025. Breast Pathology: From Intraoperative Assessment to Permanent Evaluation and Reporting Considerations. Invited. Breast Surgical Oncology Education Conference. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2025. The Role of Molecular Diagnostics in Breast Cancer Management. Invited. Tutorials on Clinical Genomics Applications. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2024. Multidisciplinary Approaches to SLN and ALND Omission Based on the SOUND, SENOMAC, and AMAROS Trials: Pathology Perspective. Panelist. Breast Cancer Clinical and Translational Research (BCCTR) Conference, US.
- 2023. Breast Pathology: From Intraoperative Assessment to Permanent Evaluation and Reporting Considerations. Invited. Breast Surgical Oncology Education Conference. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2023. Managing Breast Cancer with the Aid of Molecular Testing. Invited. Tutorials on Clinical Genomics Applications. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2023. Diagnosing Breast Cancer with Breast Biomarkers and Molecular Testing. Invited. Section of Breast Pathology Lecture. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2022. PTEN Alterations in Advanced ER+ Breast Cancer: Correlation with Clinicopathologic and Molecular Features. Conference. MDACC DPLM 2nd Annual Research Symposium. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2022. Molecular Profiling of Malignant Spindle Cell Lesions of the Breast: Genetic Alterations of Spindle Cell Metaplastic Carcinoma and Malignant Phyllodes Tumor. Conference. MDACC DPLM 2nd Annual Research Symposium. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2011. Expression and Development of EAE in Mice. Poster. Albany Medical College's Eighth Annual Medical Student Investigation Day. Albany, New York, US.
- 2010. Mapping the mop3 Gene Relative to the rmr6 Gene. Conference. The University of Arizona Honors College Thesis. Tucson, Arizona, US.
National Presentations
- 2023. The Many Faces of Invasive Lobular Carcinoma. Conference. 109th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). Chicago, Illinois, US.
- 2023. More Than Just Gynecomastia: The Spectrum of Male Breast Pathologies. Poster. Society of Breast Imaging Symposium 2023. National Harbor, Maryland, US.
- 2017. Minimum Lung Tumor Cell Threshold in Fine Needle Aspiration Cell Blocks Required for Therapeutic Marker Studies. Poster. ASC’s 65th Annual Scientific Meeting. Phoenix, Arizona, US.
- 2017. Paraneoplastic Dermatomyositis with Edema: A Rare Syndrome in a Case of Small Cell Lung Cancer. Poster. 12th Annual MSSNY Resident/Fellow and Medical Student Poster Symposium. Westchester, New York, US.
- 2016. Epidemiology of Neurocysticercosis at Stony Brook University Hospital, Long Island, NY. Poster. Infectious Diseases Society of America Annual IDWeek. New Orleans, Louisiana, US.
- 2014. Anaphylaxis in an Upstate New York Emergency Department: Triggers and Treatments. Poster. American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology Annual Meeting. San Diego, California, US.
- 2011. Establishment of a Mentorship Program Connecting Health Professional Students with Refugee Families. Poster. Family Medicine Education Consortium Northeast Region Meeting. Danvers, Massachusetts, US.
International Presentations
- 2026. Three Topics: HER2-Low and HER2-Ultralow Breast Cancer; Papillary Breast Lesions; Pathological Evaluation of Post-Neoadjuvant Therapy Breast Specimens. Invited. XXVI Peruvian National Congress of Pathology. Cusco, PE.
- 2025. Breast Cancer Pathology – Margins, Intraoperative Evaluation, and Assessment After Neoadjuvant Systemic Therapy. Invited. Project NOTRE (Indonesia Breast Cancer ECHO), US.
- 2025. Recurring Genes in Fusions in Advanced Breast Carcinoma Detected by Next-Generation Sequencing: Novel BCR and TMPRSS2 Gene Fusions. Poster. USCAP 114th Annual Meeting. Boston, US.
- 2024. Multidisciplinary Cancer Center Management of Papillary Lesions of the Breast. Invited. Project NOTRE (Indonesia Breast Cancer ECHO), US.
- 2023. Breast Pathology Slide Seminar. Invited. Diagnostic Pathology Updates Conference 2023. Houston, US.
- 2022. PTEN Alterations in Advanced ER+ Breast Cancer: Correlation with Clinicopathologic and Molecular Features. Poster. USCAP 111th Annual Meeting. Los Angeles, US.
- 2021. ER-/PR+ Breast Cancer Cases Across Two FDA-Approved Platforms: Incidence and Clinicopathologic Correlates. Poster. USCAP 110th Annual Meeting. Palm Springs, US.
- 2019. Relationship Between Tumor Grade and Intra-Tumor Genetic Heterogeneity Using the Mutant-Allele Tumor Heterogeneity (MATH) Score with Breast Invasive Ductal Carcinoma Data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Poster. USCAP 108th Annual Meeting. National Harbor, US.
- 2018. Next-Generation Sequencing in a Mixed Neuroendocrine-Nonneuroendocrine Neoplasm. Poster. USCAP 107th Annual Meeting. Vancouver, CA.
- 2017. An Unexpected Diagnosis of DIPNECH. Poster. CHEST Journal 2017 Annual Meeting. Toronto, CA.
Grant & Contract Support
| Date: | 2025 - Present |
| Title: | Decoding the co-evolution of cancer subclones and their ecosystem in TNBC multi-organ metastasis |
| Funding Source: | NIH |
| Role: | Consult |
| ID: | PA-20-185 |
| Date: | 2024 - Present |
| Title: | AccessPath: A Low-Cost, Rugged, End-to-End System for Slide-Free Pathology Based on Computational Microscopy and Pan-Cancer Targeted Vital Dyes |
| Funding Source: | ARPA-H/NIH |
| Role: | Co-I |
| ID: | 75N99223R0004 |
| Date: | 2023 - Present |
| Title: | Evaluation of the Sensitivity to Endocrine Therapy (SET ER/PR) assay to predict benefit from extended duration of adjuvant endocrine therapy in the NSABP B-42 trial |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Co-I |
| ID: | 1 UH3 CA276603-01A1 |
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Han, J, Ding, Y, Gan, Q, Sweeney, K, Huang, X, Hameed, N, Weissferdt, A, Wang, Y, Peng, Y, Sun, H. TRPS1 and GATA3 expression in BRG1/SMARCA4-deficient malignant neoplasms. Human Pathology 177:106209, 2026. e-Pub 2026. PMID: 42398545.
- Dai, M, San Lucas, FA, Alvarez, HA, Ballester, L, Chen, H, Patel, KP, Rashid, A, Rao, S, Routbort, MJ, Sura, GH, Sweeney, K, Toruner, GA, Wei, P, Yang, RK, Dang, HD, Luthra, R, Roy Chowdhuri, S. Unraveling the nexus. Cancer Cytopathol 134(4):e70090, 2026. e-Pub 2026. PMID: 41891376.
- Ye, Q, Law, T, Klippel, D, Albarracin, C, Chen, H, Contreras, A, Ding, Q, Huo, L, Khazai, L, Middleton, LP, Resetkova, E, Sahin, AA, Sun, H, Sweeney, K, Symmans, WF, Wu, Y, Yoon, EC, Krishnamurthy, S. Prospective and Retrospective Analysis of Whole-Slide Images of Sentinel and Targeted Lymph Node Frozen Sections in Breast Cancer. Mod Pathol 38(4), 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 39788205.
- Yang RK, Alvarez H, Lucas AS, Roy-Chowdhuri S, Rashid A, Chen H, Ballester LY, Sweeney K, Routbort MJ, Patel KP, Luthra R, Medeiros L, Toruner GA. Microsatellite instability and high tumor mutational burden detected by next generation sequencing are concordant with loss of mismatch repair proteins by immunohistochemistry. Cancer Genet 290-291:44-50, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 39700818.
- Sun, H, Kang, EY, Chen, H, Sweeney, K, Suchko, M, Wu, Y, Wen, J, Krishnamurthy, S, Albarracin, C, Ding, Q, Foo, WC, Sahin, AA. Immunohistochemical assessment of HER2 low breast cancer. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment 205(2):403-411, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38441847.
- Zheng L, Luthra R, Alvarez HA, Lucas F, Duose DY, Wistuba II, Fuller GN, Ballester LY, Roy-Chowdhuri S, Sweeney KJ, Rashid A, Yang RK, Chen W, Liu A, Wu Y, Albarracin C, Patel KP, Routbort MJ, Sahin AA, Ding Q, Chen H. Intragenic EGFR::EGFR.E1E8 Fusion (EGFRvIII) in 4331 Solid Tumors. Cancers (Basel) 16(1):6, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 38201434.
- Zabrocka E, Newman B, Levey G, Sweeney K, Oentoro J, Ryu S, Stessin A. Estrogen Receptor-negative Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS) of the Breast - an Institutional Review of Outcomes. Anticancer Res 43(9):4031-4036, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37648296.
- Ai, D, Sweeney, K, Li, X. Short review of malignant adenomyoepithelioma of the breast. Human Pathology Reports 27, 2022. e-Pub 2022.
- Sweeney KJ, Tetzlaff MT, Vega F, Gillenwater A, Zuo Z, Gross N, Nagarajan P, Wargo J, Nelson K, Prieto VG, Torres-Cabala CA, Curry JL. Tertiary lymphoid structures with overlapping histopathologic features of cutaneous marginal zone lymphoma during neoadjuvant cemiplimab therapy are associated with antitumor response. J Cutan Pathol 48(5):674-679, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33399228.
- Spallone A, Woroch L, Sweeney K, Seidman R, Marcos LA. The Burden of Neurocysticercosis at a Single New York Hospital. J Pathog 2020:8174240, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32802516.
- Cochrane E, Menzies A, Sweeney K, Burke W. Synchronous renal and para-aortic metastasis in a uterine serous carcinoma: A case review and clinical considerations. Gynecol Oncol Rep 28:12-14, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 30740508.
- Farooq F, Zarrabi K, Sweeney K, Kim J, Bandovic J, Patel C, Choi M. Multiregion Comprehensive Genomic Profiling of a Gastric Mixed Neuroendocrine-Nonneuroendocrine Neoplasm with Trilineage Differentiation. J Gastric Cancer 18(2):200-207, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 29984070.
- Zarrabi K, Choy T, Sweeney K, Desai V, Keresztes R. Paraneoplastic edematous dermatomyositis: A rare syndrome observed in a case of small cell lung cancer. Clin Pract 7(4):982, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 29138685.
- Baer L, Rogers SC, Farrelly P, Tornos C, Sweeney K. The First Case of HER2+ Invasive Ductal Carcinoma Arising From a Breast Hamartoma and Literature Review. J Natl Med Assoc 109(1):55-59, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28259217.
- Zarrabi K, Sweeney K, Keresztes R. Imatinib mesylate-induced kidney injury in the treatment of a gastrointestinal stromal tumor. Case Rep Intern Med 4(1):30-34, 2017. e-Pub 2017.
- Califano D, Sweeney KJ, Le H, VanValkenburgh J, Yager E, O'Connor W, Kennedy JS, Jones DM, Avram D. Diverting T helper cell trafficking through increased plasticity attenuates autoimmune encephalomyelitis. J Clin Invest 124(1):174-87, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 24316973.
- Sweeney KJ, Chen H, Ai D, Bassett RL, Huo L, Wu Y, Resetkova E, Yoon EC, Wang WL, Albarracin CT. ER- /PR+ Breast Cancer Cases Across Two FDA-Approved Platforms: Incidence and Clinicopathologic Correlates. USCAP 110th Annual Meeting.
Abstracts
- Sweeney KJ. Recurring Genes in Fusions in Advanced Breast Carcinoma Detected by Next-Generation Sequencing: Novel BCR and TMPRSS2 Gene Fusions. USCAP 114th Annual Meeting.
- Sweeney KJ. Mapping the mop3 Gene Relative to the rmr6 Gene. The University of Arizona Honors College Thesis.
- Sweeney KJ. Expression and Development of EAE in Mice. Albany Medical College's Eighth Annual Medical Student Investigation Day.
- Sweeney KJ. Establishment of a Mentorship Program Connecting Health Professional Students with Refugee Families. Family Medicine Education Consortium Northeast Region Meeting.
- Sweeney KJ. Anaphylaxis in an Upstate New York Emergency Department: Triggers and Treatments. American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology Annual Meeting.
- Spallone A, Sweeney KJ. Epidemiology of Neurocysticercosis at Stony Brook University Hospital, Long Island, NY. Infectious Diseases Society of America Annual IDWeek.
- Zarrabi K, Sweeney KJ. Paraneoplastic Dermatomyositis with Edema: A Rare Syndrome in a Case of Small Cell Lung Cancer. 12th Annual MSSNY Resident/Fellow and Medical Student Poster Symposium.
- Sweeney KJ. An Unexpected Diagnosis of DIPNECH. CHEST Journal 2017 Annual Meeting.
- Sweeney KJ, Coldren D. Minimum Lung Tumor Cell Threshold in Fine Needle Aspiration Cell Blocks Required for Therapeutic Marker Studies. ASC’s 65th Annual Scientific Meeting.
- Sweeney KJ, Coldren D. Next-Generation Sequencing in a Mixed Neuroendocrine-Nonneuroendocrine Neoplasm. USCAP 107th Annual Meeting.
- Sweeney KJ. Relationship Between Tumor Grade and Intra-Tumor Genetic Heterogeneity Using the Mutant-Allele Tumor Heterogeneity (MATH) Score with Breast Invasive Ductal Carcinoma Data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). USCAP 108th Annual Meeting.
- Sweeney KJ. PTEN Alterations in Advanced ER+ Breast Cancer: Correlation with Clinicopathologic and Molecular Features. USCAP 111th Annual Meeting.
- Kapoor M, Sweeney KJ. More Than Just Gynecomastia: The Spectrum of Male Breast Pathologies. Society of Breast Imaging Symposium 2023.
- Patel M, Sweeney KJ. The Many Faces of Invasive Lobular Carcinoma. 109th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).
- Ye Q, Sweeney KJ. A Prospective Study of Real Time Whole Slide Imaging of Frozen Sections for Intraoperative Evaluation of Axillary Sentinel Lymph Nodes in Breast Cancer. USCAP 113th Annual Meeting.
- Sun H, Sweeney KJ. SMARCA4/BRG1 Deficiency in Breast Carcinoma by Immunohistochemistry Study. USCAP 113th Annual Meeting.
Web Publications
- Sweeney KJ, Lategan B. Newborn with 6 cm hepatic mass, 2017.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified August 20, 2026