Shalin S. Patel, MD
Department of Orthopaedic Oncology, Division of Surgery
About Dr. Shalin S. Patel
Dr. Patel received his Doctor of Medicine with Honors from Harvard Medical School as part of the prestigious Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology (HST) program. He completed his residency training at the Harvard Combined Orthopaedic Residency Program, where he served as Chief Resident. Dr. Patel went on to complete fellowship training in spine surgery at Washington University in St. Louis and then subsequently completed fellowship training in musculoskeletal oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Associate Director, Department of Orthopaedic Oncology, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Assistant Professor, Department of Orthopaedic Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Co-Director, Department of Orthopaedic Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Vizient Representative, MD Anderson Cancer Center/Orthopaedic Oncology, Houston
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Assistant Professor, Department of Orthopedic Oncology, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Clinical Interests
Treatment of complex spine, sacral, and pelvic tumors, spine surgery in patients with cancer.
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2015 | Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences & Technology (HST), Boston, Massachusetts, US, MD |
| 2010 | Rice University, Houston, Texas, US, Biological Sciences, BA |
Postgraduate Training
| 2021-2022 | Clinical Fellowship, Musculoskeletal Oncology, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas |
| 2020-2021 | Clinical Fellowship, Spine Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, ST Louis, Missouri |
| 2015-2020 | Clinical Residency, Orthopedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Beth Israel, Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts |
Licenses & Certifications
| 2022 | Texas Medical Board |
| 2021 | Medicine |
| 2020 | Medicine |
| 2010 | Medicine |
Experience & Service
Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities
Director, Learning Cancer Outcomes Research Program (LCORP), Department of Orthopedic Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2022 - Present
Other Professional Positions
Associate Director of Residency Education, MD Anderson Cancer Center/Orthopaedic Oncology, Houston, TX, 2022 - Present
Vizient Representative, MD Anderson Cancer Center/Orthopaedic Oncology, Houston, 2022 - Present
Journal Club Director/Orthopaedic Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center/Orthopaedic Oncology, Houston, TX, 2022 - Present
Editorial Activities
Reviewer, The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Honors & Awards
| 2025 - Present | Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) Sarcoma Strong Mentored Research Award |
| 2023 - Present | Best Paper Presentation Award – First Place, Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) Annual Meeting, MSTS |
| 2020 - 2021 | AO Spine North America Fellowship Recipient, AO Spine North America |
| 2020 | Best Basic Science Research Award, Harvard Combined Orthopaedic Residency Program |
| 2020 | AO Trauma Fellowship, John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle , NSW, Australia |
| 2015 | Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award, Arnold P. Gold Foundation |
| 2012 | Finalist, The Rhodes Scholarships, District VIII, The Rhodes Scholarships, District VIII |
| 2011 | Finalist, Marshall Scholarship, Boston Region, Marshall Scholarship, Boston Region |
| 2011 | Finalist, The Rhodes Scholarships, District II, The Rhodes Scholarships, District II |
| 2010 | Phi Beta Kappa, Rice University Chapter, Senior Member, Rice University Chapter, Senior Member |
| 2009 | First Place, Biochemistry/Cell Biology, Martel Academic Research Symposium, Rice University |
| 2007 | U.S. Department of Education Presidential Scholar (1 of 141 Nationwide), U.S. Department of Education |
| 2007 - 2010 | President's Honor Roll, Rice University |
Professional Memberships
Selected Presentations & Talks
Local Presentations
- 2026. Imaging interpretation and oncologic staging. Baylor College of Medicine Orthopaedic Surgery Lecture Series. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2023. Pediatric bone sarcomas: Surgical management and survivorship considerations. Invited. Surgical Oncology Advanced Practitioner Conference. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2022. Primary spine tumors. Conference. MD Anderson Cancer Center. Houston, TX, US.
- 2021. Metabolic bone diseases. Conference. MD Anderson Cancer Center. Houston, TX, US.
- 2021. Complications after major pediatric spinal deformity surgeries: Comparison with our peers. Conference. AO Spine Fellows Forum. Houston, TX, US.
- 2014. . Lymphocytic infiltration and immune escape mechanisms in human chordoma. Orthopaedic Research Society. New Orleans, LA, US.
- Operating room quality assurance (ORQA): Statistical process control and quantitative imaging metrology for intraoperative. Invited. American Association of Physicists in Medicine. Houston, Texas, US.
Regional Presentations
- 2023. Lymphocytic infiltration and escape mechanisms in chordoma. Connective Tissue Oncology Society. Conference. Connective Tissue Oncology Society. New York, NY, US.
National Presentations
- 2023. The Potential Risk of Neurological Deterioration While on Neo-adjuvant Denosumab in Patients with Spinal Giant Cell Tumor and Epidural Mass Extension Causing Neurological or Impending Deficit: A Meta-Analysis of The Literature. Invited. Global Spine Congress. Prague, Czech Republic.
- 2021. Complications after major pediatric spinal deformity surgeries: Comparison with our peers. Invited. Scoliosis Research Society. St. Louis, MO, US.
- 2021. Complications after major pediatric spinal deformity surgeries: Comparison with our peers. Invited. AO Spine Fellows Forum, US.
- 2014. Lymphocytic infiltration and immune escape mechanisms in human chordoma. Invited. Orthopaedic Research Society. New Orleans, LA, US.
- 2013. Lymphocytic infiltration and escape mechanisms in chordoma, Poster Presentation. Conference. Connective Tissue Oncology Society. New York City, NY, US.
- 2013. Sonic hedgehog pathway activation, PDGFR-alpha upregulation, and BRAF inhibitor resistance in melanoma, Poster Presentation. Conference. MGH Clinical Research Day. Boston, MA, US.
- 2013. Targeting radiation-resistant and –induced breast cancer stem cells, Poster Presentation. Conference. Radiation Research Society. New Orleans, LA, US.
- 2012. Identification of genes regulating hematopoietic stem cell homing, Poster Presentation. Conference. Soma Weiss Research Symposium. Boston, MA, US.
International Presentations
- 2023. The placement of intra-operative epidural catheters reduces inpatient post-operative pain after complex oncologic spine surgery. Invited. Global Spine Congress. Prague, CZ.
- 2022. Malignant Primary Bone Tumors. Invited. (ECHO) Lecture Series, ZM.
- 2022. Common comorbidities and a comparison of four comorbidity indices in orthopaedic oncology surgical patients. Invited. International Society of Limb Salvage. Los Angeles, US.
- 2022. Comparison of clinician-reported Karnofsky Performance Status and patient-reported physical health outcomes in orthopaedic oncology patients. Invited. International Society of Limb Salvage. Los Angeles, US.
- 2022. . Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) Lecture Series, Departments of Oncology and Radiation Oncology. Conference. Departments of Oncology and Radiation Oncology. Zambia, ZM.
- 2009. Mesenchymal stem cells provide benefit to injured cardiac ventricular myocytes through a paracrine manner, Poster Presentation. Conference. World Stem Cell Summit. Baltimore, US.
- Transcriptional analysis of immune microenvironment of chordomas of the skull base and mobile spine. Invited. European Society of Medical Oncology. Madrid, ES.
Formal Peers
- 2022. Malignant primary bone tumors. Visiting, Africa, ZM.
Grant & Contract Support
| Date: | 2025 - Present |
| Title: | Financial Toxicity in Patients with Localized Primary Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcomas |
| Funding Source: | MSTS |
| Role: | PI |
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- De la Garza Ramos, R, Goodwin, CR, Weber, M, Pahuta, MA, Patel, SS, MacLean, MA, Sahgal, A, Rhines, LD, Sciubba, DM, Netzer, C, Dea, N, Verlaan, JJ, Gasbarrini, A, Reynolds, JJ, Barzilai, O, Bettegowda, C, Boriani, S, Fisher, CG, Gokaslan, ZL, Lazary, A, Laufer, I, Shin, JH, Charest-Morin, R. An International Delphi Consensus on Defining the Optimal Surgical Composite Outcome in Metastatic Spine Disease (OSCO-M). Spine Publish Ahead of Print, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40851377.
- Mikula AL, Rhines LD, Patel SS, Pennington Z, Karim SM, Morris JM, Tappa K, Alvarez-Breckenridge C, North RY, Tatsui CE, Rose PS, Clarke MJ, Bird JE. Utility of 3D-Printed Models in the Surgical Planning for Primary Spine Tumors: A Survey of International Spinal Oncology Experts. Global Spine J 15(4):2004-2013, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 39166967.
- Patel SS, Nalty T, Fletcher DH, Ballard TS, Frink SJ, Bird JE, Lewis VO. Common Comorbidities and a Comparison of 4 Comorbidity Indices in Patients Undergoing Orthopaedic Oncology Surgery. J Bone Joint Surg Am 107(5):488-495, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 39841810.
- Nalty T, Patel SS, Bird JE, Lewis VO, Lin PP. Does a Concise Patient-reported Outcome Measure Provide a Valid Measure of Physical Function for Cancer Patients After Lower Extremity Surgery?. Clin Orthop Relat Res 483(1):62-75, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 39387488.
- Reynolds, JJ, Charest-Morin, R, Versteeg, AL, Galgano, M, Lubelski, D, Newman, WC, Patel, SS, Sullivan, PL, Dea, N, Gasbarrini, A, Lazary, A, Rhines, LD, Sahgal, A, Verlaan, JJ, Fisher, CG, Laufer, I. Streamlining the Journey of Research Into Clinical Practice. Global Spine Journal 14(7):1880-1888, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 39052928.
- Massaad, E, Patel, SS, Sten, M, Shim, J, Kiapour, A, Mullen, JT, Tobert, DG, MacDonald, SM, Hornicek, FJ, Shin, JH. Pedicled omental flaps for complex wound reconstruction following surgery for primary spine tumors of the mobile spine and sacrum. Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine 41(2):283-291, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38788228.
- Hirase, T, Rowan, C, Jacob, T, Vemu, SM, Aflatooni, JO, Patel, SS, Satcher, R, Lin, PP, Moon, BS, Lewis, VO, Marco, RA, Bird, JE. Percutaneous Cementation for Improvement of Pain and Function for Osteolytic Pelvic Metastasis. Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 32(14):e726-e736, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38709827.
- Knapp B, Govindan A, Patel SS, Pepin K, Wu N, Devarakonda S, Buchowski JM. Outcomes in Patients with Spinal Metastases Managed with Surgical Intervention. Cancers (Basel) 16(2), 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38275879.
- Striano, BM, Patel, SS, Parker, E, Vaughn, JJ, Smith, JT, Harris, MB, Chiodo, CP. The Use of the Lateral Tibial Line to Assess Ankle Alignment. Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 32(1):41-46, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 37580051.
- Vemu SM, Farii HA, Bird JE, Lin PP, Lewis VO, Patel SS. The Use of Photodynamic Bone Stabilization to Tamponade Bleeding in a Pathologic Humeral Shaft Fracture: A Case Report. J Orthop Case Rep 13(9):137-143, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37753123.
- Patel SS, Nota SP, Sabbatino F, Nielsen GP, Deshpande V, Wang X, Ferrone S, Schwab JH. Defective HLA Class I Expression and Patterns of Lymphocyte Infiltration in Chordoma Tumors. Clin Orthop Relat Res 479(6):1373-1382, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33273248.
- Massaad E, Williams N, Hadzipasic M, Patel SS, Fourman MS, Kiapour A, Schoenfeld AJ, Shankar GM, Shin JH. Performance assessment of the metastatic spinal tumor frailty index using machine learning algorithms: limitations and future directions. Neurosurg Focus 50(5):E5, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33932935.
- SPFT N, Al-Sukaini A, Patel SS, Sabbatino F, Nielsen GP, Deshpande V, Yearley JH, Ferrone S, Wang X, Schwab JH. High TIL, HLA, and Immune Checkpoint Expression in Conventional High-Grade and Dedifferentiated Chondrosarcoma and Poor Clinical Course of the Disease. Front Oncol 11:598001, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33912442.
- Patel SS, Kalma J, Bluman EM. Understanding COVID-19 Vaccines and Their Development. J Bone Joint Surg Am 102(20):1759-1769, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 33086342.
- Patel S, Zhang D, Earp BE. Acute Combined Median and Radial Nerve Palsies after Distal Humeral Shaft Fracture. Arch Bone Jt Surg 6(2):150-154, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 29600269.
- Wang Y, Li W, Patel SS, Cong J, Zhang N, Sabbatino F, Liu X, Qi Y, Huang P, Lee H, Taghian A, Li JJ, DeLeo AB, Ferrone S, Epperly MW, Ferrone CR, Ly A, Brachtel EF, Wang X. Blocking the formation of radiation-induced breast cancer stem cells. Oncotarget 5(11):3743-55, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 25003837.
- Vaduganathan M, Allegretti AS, Manchette AM, Patel SS, Olson KR, Bazari H. Intravenous moderate-dose bumetanide continuous infusion and severe musculoskeletal pain. Int J Cardiol 168(1):e29-31, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 23727101.
- Rogers TB, Pati S, Gaa S, Riley D, Khakoo AY, Patel S, Wardlow RD, Frederick CA, Hall G, He LP, Lederer WJ. Mesenchymal stem cells stimulate protective genetic reprogramming of injured cardiac ventricular myocytes. J Mol Cell Cardiol 50(2):346-56, 2011. e-Pub 2011. PMID: 20837021.
- Chintalgattu V, Ai D, Langley RR, Zhang J, Bankson JA, Shih TL, Reddy AK, Coombes KR, Daher IN, Pati S, Patel SS, Pocius JS, Taffet GE, Buja LM, Entman ML, Khakoo AY. Cardiomyocyte PDGFR-beta signaling is an essential component of the mouse cardiac response to load-induced stress. J Clin Invest 120(2):472-84, 2010. e-Pub 2010. PMID: 20071776.
- Trent JC, Patel SS, Zhang J, Araujo DM, Plana JC, Lenihan DJ, Fan D, Patel SR, Benjamin RS, Khakoo AY. Rare incidence of congestive heart failure in gastrointestinal stromal tumor and other sarcoma patients receiving imatinib mesylate. Cancer 116(1):184-92, 2010. e-Pub 2010. PMID: 19885836.
- Kemp AK, Nalty TN, McChesney G, Geng Y, Patel SS, Bird JE, and Lewis VO. Variation in the administration and reporting of the MSTS score: Evidence for the need of standardized outcome measurement guidelines. Sarcoma.
- Patel SS, Montgomery NI, Nalty T, Luna LD, Penny AN, Frink SJ, Lewis VO, and Bird JE. Comparison of clinician-reported Karnofsky Performance Status and patient-reported physical health in orthopaedic oncology patients. J Bone Joint Surg Am.
- Patel SS, Nalty T, Luna LD, Penny AN, Frink SJ, Bird JE, and Lewis VO. Common comorbidities and a comparison of four comorbidity indices in orthopaedic oncology surgical patients.
- Striano BM, Patel SS, Vaughn JJ, Smith JT, Harris MB, and Chiodo CP. The use of the lateral tibial line to assess ankle alignment: a preliminary investigation. Foot Ankle Surg.
- Mikula AL, Pennington Z, Lakomkin N, Prablek M, Amini B, Karim SM, Patel SS, Lubelski D, Sciubba DM, Alvarez-Breckenridge C, North RY, Tatsui CE, Bydon M, Fogelson JL, Elder BD, Krauss WE, Bird JE, Rose PS, Clarke MJ, and Rhines LD. Risk factors for sacral fracture following en bloc chordoma resection. J Neurosurg Spine.
- Knapp B, Govindan A, Patel SS, Pepin K, Peters C, Wu N, Devarakonda S, and Buchowski JM. Outcomes in patients with spinal metastases managed with surgical intervention. Clin Orthop Relat Res.
Invited Articles
- Patel SS, Laur O, and Khurana B. Traumatic spinal cord transection. SpineLine:25-26, 2020. e-Pub 2020.
- Patel SS, Laur O, and Khurana B. Is this metastatic disease of the spine or Tubercular spondylitis?. SpineLine:22-23, 2020. e-Pub 2020.
Review Articles
- Al Farii, H, Gattu, N, Yeung, CM, Alvarez-Breckenridge, C, North, RY, Tatsui, CE, Rhines, LD, Lewis, VO, Bird, JE, Patel, SS. The kiva system versus balloon kyphoplasty for vertebral compression fracture. North American Spine Society Journal 24, 2025. e-Pub 2025.
- Kemp, AK, Nalty, T, McChesney, GR, Geng, Y, Patel, SS, Lewis, VO, Bird, JE. Reporting the Pooled Last Follow-up Musculoskeletal Tumor Society Score Underestimates Functional Improvements Seen Over Time. Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Global Research and Reviews 9(9), 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40891996.
- Al Farii, H, McChesney, GR, Patel, SS, Rhines, LD, Lewis, VO, Bird, JE. The risk of neurological deterioration while using neoadjuvant denosumab on patients with giant cell tumor of the spine presenting with epidural disease. Spine Journal 24(6):1056-1064, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38301904.
- Yeung CM, Bhashyam AR, Patel SS, Ortiz-Cruz E, Lozano-Calderón SA. Carbon Fiber Implants in Orthopaedic Oncology. J Clin Med 11(17), 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 36078889.
- Velasco BT, Patel SS, Broughton KK, Frumberg DB, Kwon JY, Miller CP. Arthrofibrosis of the Ankle. Foot Ankle Orthop 5(4):2473011420970463, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 35097416.
- Patel SS, Schwab JH. Immunotherapy as a Potential Treatment for Chordoma: a Review. Curr Oncol Rep 18(9):55, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27475804.
- Chintalgattu V, Patel SS, Khakoo AY. Cardiovascular effects of tyrosine kinase inhibitors used for gastrointestinal stromal tumors. Hematol Oncol Clin North Am 23(1):97-107, viii-ix, 2009. e-Pub 2009. PMID: 19248973.
Abstracts
- Patel SS, Mikula AL, Rhines LD, Pennington Z, Karim SM, Morris JM, Tappa K, Alverez-Breckenridge C, North RY, Tatsui CE, Rose PS, Clarke MJ, Bird JE. Utility of 3D-printed models in the surgical planning for primary spine tumors: A survey of international spinal oncology experts. Global Spine Congress.
- Patel SS, Gupta MC, Newton PN, Sucato DJ, Boachi-Adjei O, Shah S, Bumpass D, Erickson MA, Cahill P, Sponseller P, McCarthy R, Lenke LG, Kwelly MP. Complications after major pediatric spinal deformity surgeries: Comparison with our peers. Scoliosis Research Society.
- Patel SS. Metabolic bone diseases. . MD Anderson Cancer Center Musculoskeletal Pathology Conference.
- Patel SS, Montgomery NI, Nalty T, Luna LD, Penny AN, Frink SJ, Lewis VO, Bird JE. Comparison of clinician-reported Karnofsky Performance Status and patient-reported physical health outcomes in orthopaedic oncology patients. International Society of Limb Salvage.
- Patel SS, Nalty T, Luna LD, Penny AN, Bird JE, Lewis VO. Common comorbidities and a comparison of four comorbidity indices in orthopaedic oncology surgical patients. International Society of Limb Salvage.
- Patel SS. Primary spine tumors. MD Anderson Cancer Center Musculoskeletal Pathology Conference.
- Patel SS. Pediatric bone sarcomas: Surgical management and survivorship considerations. Surgical Oncology Advanced Practitioner Conference.
- Patel SS, Fletcher DH, Qing Y, Li L, Alvarez-Breckenridge C, North RY, Tatsui CE, Rhines LD, Donahue H, Popat KU, Bird JE. The placement of intra-operative epidural catheters reduces inpatient post-operative pain after complex oncologic spine surgery. Global Spine Congress.
- Patel SS, Nalty T, Bird JE, Lewis VO, Lin PP. The development of a 14-item patient-reported lower extremity functional tool for orthopaedic oncology surgical patients using the TESS and LEFS. Musculoskeletal Tumor Society.
- Patel SS. Metastatic spine disease. International Society of Limb Salvage- International Webinar.
- Patel SS (monderator), Charest-Morin R, Lazary A. Metastatic spine disease: The patient-centered experience. International Society of Limb Salvage.
- Patel SS, Wang YY, Sabbatino F, Nota SP, Nielsen GP, Ferrone S, Schwab JH. Lymphocytic infiltration and immune escape mechanisms in human chordoma. Orthopaedic Research Society.
- Patel SS, Al Farii H, Gattu N, Yeung CM, Alvarez-Breckenridge CA, North RY, Tatsui CE, Rhines LD, Lewis VO, Bird JE. The Kiva system versus balloon kyphoplasty for vertebral compression fractures: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Global Spine Congress.
- Patel SS, Nalty T, Fletcher DH, Ballard TS, Frink SH, Bird JE, Lewis VO. Commonly utilized comorbidity indices do not adequately capture severity of illness in musculoskeletal oncology surgical patients. European Musculoskeletal Oncology Society.
- Patel SS, Fletcher DH, Sun X, Qing Y, Li L, Alvarez-Breckenridge CA, North RY, Tatsui CE, Rhines LD, Donahue H, Popat KU, Bird JE. The placement of intra-operative epidural catheters reduces inpatient post-operative pain and opioid usage after complex oncologic spine surgery. European Musculoskeletal Oncology Society.
- Patel SS, Menghani R, Tappa K, Mericli A, Hanasono M, Rhines LD, Lin PP, Lewis VO, Avila R, Bird JE. Investigating the biomechanical effects of bone graft type on a complex spinopelvic reconstruction: A CT-based 3D finite element analysis. European Musculoskeletal Oncology Society.
- Patel SS, Ghali AN, Khalafallah YM, Lewis VO. Can AI Speak Bone? Evaluating the accuracy of responses to common patient questions in orthopaedic oncology. European Musculoskeletal Oncology Society.
Book Chapters
- Patel SS, Lyu HG, Lilley E, Raut CP, Roland CL. Sarcomas of the soft tissues, retroperitoneum, and bone. In: Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. Elsevier, 2025.
- Patel SS, Rosenthal BD, and Hsu WK. Spinal conditions in the athlete: A clinical guide to evaluation, management, and controversies. In: Cervical disc herniation in athletes. In: Jenkins TJ, Hsu WK, editors. Springer Nature, 149-55, 2020.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified March 26, 2026