Michael J Tang, MD, FACP
Department of Palliative, Rehabilitation and Integrative Medicine, Division of Cancer Medicine
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Associate Professor, Critical Care Medicine, Anesthesia, Critical Care & Pain Medicine Division, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Associate Professor, Palliative, Rehabilitation, & Integrative Medicine, Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Associate Professor, Critical Care Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Associate Professor, Palliative, Rehabilitation & Integrative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Research Interests
My research interests include management of pain in patients with advanced cancer. In addition I have research interests in the management of patients with non-medical opioid use with a focus on patient safety.
Clinical Interests
My clinical interests include pain management in patients with advanced cancer along with the management of agitated delirium at the end of life.
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2010 | Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, College Station, Texas, US, Medicine, Doctor of Medicine (MD) |
| 2006 | Baylor University, Waco, Texas, US, Biology, Bachelor of Arts in Biology (BA) |
Postgraduate Training
| 2017-2018 | Clinical Fellowship, Fellowship in Hospice and Palliative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas |
| 2010-2013 | Clinical Residency, Internal Medicine Residency Program, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine/Barnes Jewish Hospital Consortium, St. Louis, Missouri |
Licenses & Certifications
| 2018 | American Board of Hospice and Palliative Medicine |
Experience & Service
Faculty Academic Appointments
Assistant Professor, Palliative, Rehabilitation, & Integrative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2019 - 2025
Assistant Professor, Geriatric and Palliative Medicine, UT Health/ McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX, 2018 - 2019
Primary Care Physician, Internal Medicine, Baylor University Medical Center, Plano, TX, 2014 - 2017
Instructor, Internal Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 2013 - 2014
Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities
Co-Director of the Geriatric and Palliative Medicine 3rd year medical student clerkship, Geriatric and Palliative Medicine, University of Texas Health/ McGovern Medical School, Houston, Texas, 2019 - 2019
Director of the Geriatric and Palliative Medicine 4th year medical student elective, Geriatric and Palliative Medicine, University of Texas Health/ McGovern Medical School, Houston, Texas, 2019 - 2019
Other Professional Positions
Member, Scheduling Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2022 - Present
Member, Interview Committee for the Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2021 - Present
Member, Program Evaluation Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2020 - Present
Member, Clinical Competency Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2020 - Present
Intramural Institutional Committee Activities
Member, Utilization Review Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2022 - Present
Senator, Faculty Senate, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2022 - 2025
Member, Goals of Care Rapid Response Leadership Team, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2022
Extramural Institutional Committee Activities
Member, American Board of Internal Medicine 2020 Hospice and Palliative Medicine Certification Standard Setting Committee, American Board of Internal Medicine, 2020
Honors & Awards
| 2012 - 2013 | Department of Medicine Karl-Flance Teaching Award, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine |
| 2006 | Magna Cum Laude, Baylor University, College of Arts and Sciences |
| 2006 | Phi Beta Kappa, Baylor University, College of Arts and Sciences |
Professional Memberships
Selected Presentations & Talks
Local Presentations
- 2026. Pharmaceutical and Insurance Company Barriers to Opioid Access for Patients with Cancer Pain. Invited. 8th Interdisciplinary Pain and Opioid Seminar: Navigating the Opioid Use Conundrum: Use, Underuse, and Nonmedical Use. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2026. Hospice patient home visits. Invited. Community Bus Rounds with Compassus Hospice. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2026. Supportive and Palliative Care at MD Anderson Cancer Center: An overview of inpatient and outpatient services. Invited. Oncology Nurse Palliative and End of Life Care Conference. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2024. Neuro-oncology and Palliative care: Exploring Opportunities for Collaboration. Invited. Department of Palliative, Rehabiliation and Integrative Medicine Grand Rounds. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2024. Updates in Pain and Opioid Therapy: A Review of Relevant Articles in Recent Times. Invited. 6th Interdisciplinary Pain and Opioid Crisis Virtual Seminar. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2023. Management of Cancer Pain in Patients Receiving Head and Neck Radiation. Invited. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2023. Opioid and Opioid Safety. Invited. UT Health PM&R Conference. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2023. Life-Sustaining Treatments: Guide to Practical Discussions and Ethical Considerations at End of Life. Invited. Houston, TX, US.
- 2022. Interdisciplinary Goals of Care Program: GOC-RRT. Invited. Houston, TX, US.
- 2022. Revisiting the use of the subcutaneous method of administration in the United States. Invited. Department of Palliative, Rehabilitation and Integrative Medicine Grand Rounds. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2022. Pharmaceutical and Prescription Drug Insurance Complexities with Patient Access to Opioids: Barriers to Optimal Opioid Therapy. Invited. 4th Interdisciplinary Pain and Opioid Crisis Virtual Seminar. Houston, TX, US.
- 2021. Telemedicine and the Future of Supportive Care: Lessons learned and the journey ahead. Invited. Department of Palliative, Rehabilitation and Integrative Medicine Grand Rounds. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2021. Let’s have a CHAT: Managing Nonmedical Opioid Use during the Pandemic. Invited. 3rd Interdisciplinary Pain and Opioid Crisis Virtual Seminar. Houston, TX, US.
- 2020. Bridging the Divide: Examining health care disparities in palliative medicine. Invited. Department of Palliative, Rehabilitation and Integrative medicine Grand Rounds. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2018. The Crossroads of Telemedicine and Supportive Care: Reaching the Fringe. Invited. Department of Palliative, Rehabilitation and Integrative Medicine Grand Rounds. Houston, Texas, US.
National Presentations
- 2026. Communication Skills: How do I discuss code status?. Invited. ALIGN 2026: Advancing Learning and Innovation in Goal Concordant Care. Houston, Texas, US.
International Presentations
- 2026. Patient based discussion: Management of symptoms in patients with brain tumors. Invited. Department of Geriatrics. Singapore, SG.
- 2026. Patient based discussion: Management of shortness of breath at the end-of-life. Invited. Department of Geriatric Medicine. Singapore, SG.
- 2026. Patient based discussion: Utilization of stents for symptom management in palliative care patients. Invited. Department of Geriatric Medicine, SG.
- 2025. Patient based discussion: Management of bone pain in the palliative care setting. Invited. Department of Geriatric Medicine, SG.
- 2025. Patient based discussion: Opioid induced neurotoxicity. Invited. Department of Geriatric Medicine, SG.
- 2025. Patient based discussion: Nutrition at the end of life. Invited. Department of Geriatric Medicine, SG.
- 2025. Patient based discussion: Management of mixed pain in patients with end stage renal failure. Invited. Department of Geriatric Medicine, SG.
- 2025. Patient based discussion: Palliative care management of patients with necrotizing fasciitis. Invited. Department of Geriatric Medicine, SG.
- 2025. Patient based discussion: Management of refractory nausea in patients at the end of life. Invited. Department of Geriatric Medicine, SG.
- 2024. Patient based discussion: Management of cancer pain semi responsive to opioids. Invited. Department of Geriatric Medicine, SG.
- 2024. Patient based discussion: Superior vena cava syndrome management in the palliative care population. Invited. Department of Geriatric Medicine, SG.
- 2024. Patient based discussion: Psychosocial distress and suicidal ideation in the palliative care population. Invited. Department of Geriatric Medicine, SG.
- 2024. Patient based discussion: Complex pain management involving wounds in palliative care patients. Invited. Department of Geriatric Medicine, SG.
- 2024. Patient based discussion: Existential distress. Invited. Department of Geriatric Medicine, SG.
- 2023. Patient based discussion: Wound care in palliative medicine. Invited. Department of Geriatric Medicine, SG.
- 2023. Patient based discussion: Psychosocial distress and Complex Pain Management in Cancer Patients. Invited. Department of Geriatric Medicine, SG.
- 2023. Patient based discussion: Infiltrating tumors and pain management. Invited. Department of Geriatric Medicine, SG.
- 2023. Patient based discussion on hepatic failure at the end of life. Invited. Department of Geriatric Medicine, SG.
- 2023. Patient based discussion on topical analgesics in the palliative care population. Invited. Department of Geriatric Medicine, SG.
- 2023. Non-medical Opioid Use and Cancer Pain. Invited. Oxford University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. Oxford, GB.
- 2023. Patient based discussion on hematuria management in the palliative care population. Invited. Department of Geriatric Medicine, SG.
- 2022. Patient based discussion on tenesmus. Invited. Department of Geriatric Medicine, SG.
- 2022. Patient based discussion on hypercalcemia management in a palliative population and use of bisphosphonates versus denosumab. Invited. Department of Geriatric Medicine, SG.
- 2022. Patient based discussion on adjuvant analgesic therapies for refractory pain due to trauma. Invited. Department of Geriatric Medicine, SG.
- 2022. Patient based discussion on methadone and opioid rotations. Invited. Department of Geriatric Medicine, SG.
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Kim MJ, Tang MJ, Bruera E. Prolonged zinc use for dysgeusia causing copper deficiency. Palliat Support Care 24:e37, 2026. e-Pub 2026. PMID: 41539972.
- Hui D, De La Rosa A, Tsai JS, Cheng SY, Del Fabbro E, Thomas Kuzhiyil AT, Rowe K, Azhar A, Nguyen T, Tang M, Yao CA, Huang HL, Peng JK, Hu WY, Admane S, Dev R, Chen M, Bramati P, Shete S, Bruera E. Proportional Sedation for Persistent Agitated Delirium in Palliative Care: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Oncol 11(9):1031-1043, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40742738.
- Kim MJ, Tang M (co-first), Taylor T, Chen M, Hui D, Reddy A, Narayanan S, Bruera E. Factors Associated with Cancer Patients' Preferences for Telemedicine or In-Person Palliative Care. J Pain Symptom Manage 70(2):e159-e166, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40355032.
- Admane S, Kim MJ, Reddy A, Tang M, Chang YK, Shih KK, De La Cruz M, Cepeda SJ, Bruera E, Hui D. Performance of Three Conversational Artificial Intelligence Agents in Defining End-of-Life Care Terms. J Palliat Med 28(8):1102-1107, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40138176.
- Khan R, Tang M (co-first), Azhar A, Bruera E. The Administrative Burden on Palliative Academic Physicians. J Pain Symptom Manage 67(5):e399-e402, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38331231.
- Kim MJ, Admane S, Chang YK, Shih KK, Reddy A, Tang M, Cruz M, Taylor TP, Bruera E, Hui D. Chatbot Performance in Defining and Differentiating Palliative Care, Supportive Care, Hospice Care. J Pain Symptom Manage 24(5):1-11, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38219964.
- Harrison RA, Tang M (co-first), Shih KK, Khan M, Pham L, Moraes AR, O'Brien BJ, Bassett R, Bruera E. Characterization of patients with brain metastases referred to palliative care. BMC Palliat Care 23(1):1-8, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38212765.
- Tang M, Khan R, Ruiz Buenrostro A, Andersen CR, Lau J, Zimmermann C, Bruera E. Subcutaneous administration of drugs and hydration in acute palliative care units: Physician attitudes and beliefs in the United States and Canada. Palliat Support Care 22(3):1-4, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 38126334.
- Tang M, Ann-Yi S, Zhukovsky DS, Fellman B, Bruera E. Distress, demoralization, and fulfillment among palliative care providers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Palliat Support Care, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 38037463.
- Tang M, Heung Y, Fellman B, Bruera E. Frequency of vaccine hesitancy among patients with advanced cancer. Palliat Support Care 22(2):1-7, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37525556.
- Tang M, Clark M, Reddy A, Bruera E. Fentanyl toxicity related to concomitant use of ciprofloxacin and its effects as a CYP3A4 inhibitor. J Pain Symptom Manage 66(2):e307-e309, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37150364.
- Tang M, Arthur J, Cooper A, Clark M, Bruera E. Nonmedical opioid use at the end of life: A tale of addiction and a last wish. Palliat Support Care 21(3):561-563, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 36545767.
- Tang M, Abdelaal M, Lau J, Ruiz Buenrostro A, Chen M, Zimmermann C, Bruera E. Subcutaneous vs Intravenous Administration of Medications and Fluids for Patients With Cancer in the US and Canada. JAMA Oncol 9(5):717-719, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 36951869.
- Agosta MT, Tang M (co-first), Carmack CL, Bruera E. Social isolation at the end of life: A case report of one person's journey navigating the medical landscape during the COVID-19 pandemic. Palliat Support Care 20(6):900-903, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35587538.
- Arthur JA, Edwards T, Lu Z, Tang M, Amaram-Davila J, Reddy A, Hui D, Yennurajalingam S, Anderson AE, Jennings K, Reddy S, Bruera E. Interdisciplinary intervention for the management of nonmedical opioid use among patients with cancer pain. Cancer 128(20):3718-3726, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35997289.
- Tang M, Chen M, Bruera E, Hui D. Association among rescue neuroleptic use, agitation, and perceived comfort: secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial on agitated delirium. Support Care Cancer 29(12):7887-7894, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34184130.
- Tang M, Arthur J, Reddy A, Bruera E. Deficiencies with the Use of Prescription Drug Monitoring Program in Cancer Pain Management: A Report of Two Cases. J Palliat Med 24(5):751-754, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33351714.
- Arthur JA, Tang M (co-first), Lu Z, Hui D, Nguyen K, Rodriguez EM, Edwards T, Yennurajalingam S, Dalal S, Dev R, Reddy A, Tanco K, Haider A, Liu DD, Bruera E. Random urine drug testing among patients receiving opioid therapy for cancer pain. Cancer 127(6):968-975, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33231885.
- Tang M, Nguyen NN, Bruera E, Tanco K, Delgado-Guay M. Expression of existential suffering in two patients with advanced cancer in an acute palliative care unit. Palliat Support Care 18(6):748-750, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 33118907.
- Tang M, Bruera E. Hospital Deaths a Poor Quality Metric for Patients With Cancer. JAMA Oncol 6(12):1861-1862, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32910184.
- Hui D, Anderson L, Tang M, Park M, Liu D, Bruera E. Examination of referral criteria for outpatient palliative care among patients with advanced cancer. Support Care Cancer 28(1):295-301, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 31044305.
- Kushnir VM, Tang M, Goodwin J, Hollander TG, Hovis CE, Murad FM, Mullady DK, Azar RR, Jonnalagadda SS, Early DS, Edmundowiz SA, Chen CH. Long-term outcomes after single-balloon enteroscopy in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. Dig Dis Sci 58(9):2572-9, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 23430372.
Invited Articles
- Tang M, Reddy A. Telemedicine and Its Past, Present, and Future Roles in Providing Palliative Care to Advanced Cancer Patients. Cancers (Basel) 14(8):1-11, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35454791.
- Tang M, Tanco K. How to Measure Pain. Curr Oncol Rep 23(1):1-6, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 33219861.
Abstracts
- Nguyen N, Tang M. Tale of Two Patients: Varied Expression of Existential Suffering by 2 patients with Advanced Cancer in an Acute Palliative Care Unit (APCU) (Poster Presentation). Annual Assembly of Hospice and Palliative Care (AAHPM), 2018.
- Delgado M, Tang M, Wong A. Psychological and spiritual distress among elderly advanced cancer patients in a supportive/palliative care outpatient clinic at a comprehensive cancer center. ASCO Annual Meeting.
- Tang M, Abdelaal M, Lau J, Ruiz Buenrostro A, Zimmermann C, Bruera E. Subcutaneous versus intravenous administration of medications and fluids in cancer patients: variations of practice in the United States and Canada. Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer.
- Tang M, Ancy K, De La Rosa A, Brown J, Nguyen L, Andersen C, Bruera E, Nortje N, Flowers C, Lee J, Hui D. COMFORT Survey: A comparison of the comfort level of hematologic and solid tumor oncology specialists with serious illness conversations. American Society of Clinical Oncology.
- Tang M, Arthur J, Chen M, Clark M, Phan M, Reddy A, Bruera E. Prior Authorization Requests for Opioids Prescribed for Pain Management at a Comprehensive Cancer Center over a 5-year period. Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer.
Book Chapters
- Tang M, Taylor M, Thorns K. Pruritus. In: Oxford Textbook of Palliative Medicine and Supportive Care. 3rd. CRC Press, 515-524, 2021.
- Tang M, Gor P, Tarbox J. Allergy and Immunology. In: Washington Manual of Outpatient Internal Medicine. Lippincott-Raven Publishers, 2015.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified October 01, 2026