Woo Cheal Cho, M.D.
Department of Anatomical Pathology, Division of Pathology-Lab Medicine Div
About Dr. Woo Cheal Cho
I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pathology at MD Anderson Cancer Center. My expertise lies in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology with a specialized focus on Dermatopathology. As a board-certified professional, I am committed to advancing the field through research and the development of new biomarkers. These biomarkers serve a dual purpose: to enhance diagnostic accuracy in routine Dermatopathology practice and to offer potential prognostic value in various cutaneous neoplasms.
Currently, my research revolves around two main areas. Firstly, I am dedicated to discovering novel, diagnostically valuable immunohistochemical biomarkers. These biomarkers aim to improve the precision of diagnosing different cutaneous neoplastic and non-neoplastic entities regularly encountered in clinical practice. Secondly, I am actively investigating the genetic (e.g., TERT promoter mutations, TERT gene amplifications and rearrangements) and epigenetic (e.g., TERT promoter hypermethylation) alterations of TERT (Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase) in rare cutaneous melanocytic tumors, including spitzoid and blue nevus-like melanomas to gain insights into these challenging melanocytic lesions.
Through my work, I aspire to contribute significantly to the field of Dermatopathology and ultimately improve patient outcomes by facilitating accurate diagnoses and prognostic assessments for cutaneous neoplasms.
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology, Division of Pathology/Lab Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2014 | St. George’s University School of Medicine, Grenada, GRN, MD, Medicine |
| 2009 | University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA, MS, Chemistry |
| 2007 | University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA, BS, Biochemistry/Chemistry |
Postgraduate Training
| 2020-2021 | Clinical Fellowship, Dermatopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX |
| 2019-2020 | Clinical Fellowship, Surgical Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX |
| 2017-2018 | Chief Resident, Combined Anatomic and Clinical Pathology, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT |
| 2015-2019 | Clinical Residency, Combined Anatomic and Clinical Pathology, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT |
Board Certifications
| 2021 | Dermatopathology, American Board of Pathology |
| 2019 | Anatomic and Clinical Pathology, American Board of Pathology |
Experience & Service
Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities
Institutional Tissue Bank Co-Director, Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2023 - Present
Honors & Awards
| 2023 | ASDP Physician-in-Training Award for Best Fellow Case Report Presentation (Dr. Volha Lenskaya), Principal Investigator/Research Mentor, American Society of Dermatopathology |
| 2022 | Divisional Research Award (Dr. Yi Ariel Liu), Principal Investigator, Division of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2022 | Chairman’s Fund for Mentored Trainee Research (Dr. Ziba Rahbar), Principal Investigator, Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2022 | Division of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Research Symposium Clinical Poster Presentation Award (1st place, Dr. Kaitlin Vanderbeck), Principal Investigator/Research Mentor, Division of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2022 | ASDP 2023-2024 Mentorship Award (Dr. Haneen T. Salah), Principal Investigator/Research Mentor, American Society of Dermatopathology |
| 2021 | Divisional Research Award (Dr. Kaitlin Vanderbeck), Co-Principal Investigator, Division of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2021 | Chairman’s Fund for Mentored Trainee Research (Dr. Kaitlin Vanderbeck), Principal Investigator, Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2020 | Chairman’s Fund for Mentored Trainee Research, Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2020 | The Pathologist Power List 2020, The Pathologist magazine |
| 2020 | Divisional Research Award, Division of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2019 | Ronald S. Beckett MD Book Award, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Hartford Hospital |
| 2018 | Residents Forum Photography Contest Winner (1st place), College of American Pathologists 2018 Annual Meeting |
| 2018 | The Pathologist Power List 2018, The Pathologist magazine |
| 2018 | Ludwig J. Pyrtek MD Research Paper Distinction Award, University of Connecticut/Hartford Hospital |
| 2016 | Excellence in Dermatopathology Award, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Hartford Hospital |
Professional Memberships
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Liu YA, Collins K, Aung PP, Nagarajan P, Curry JL, Prieto VG, Torres-Cabala CA, Cho WC. TRPS1 expression in primary and secondary extramammary Paget diseases: An immunohistochemical analysis of 93 cases (**Mentorship Role**). Hum Pathol, 2023. PMID: 38000676.
- Vanderbeck K, Rothrock AT, Cho WC, Nagarajan P, Aung PP, Hudgens C, Bassett RL, Ivan D, Prieto VG, Curry JL, Torres-Cabala CA. PRAME and LEF1 in Combined Deep Penetrating Nevus and Combined Blue Nevus: Utility and Pitfalls. Am J Dermatopathol 45(8):549-556, 2023. PMID: 37462205.
- Bartley BR, Prieto VG, Cho WC. Nodule on the Left Thumb in an Elderly Man: Challenge (**Mentorship Role**). Am J Dermatopathol 45(7):e54-e55, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37338071.
- Bartley BR, Prieto VG, Cho WC. Nodule on the Left Thumb in an Elderly Man: Answer (**Mentorship Role**). Am J Dermatopathol 45(7):513-514, 2023. PMID: 37338068.
- Cho WC, Li W, Gu J, Wang WL, Ning J, Sfamenos S, Gill P, Nagarajan P, Curry JL, Lazar AJ, Prieto VG, Torres-Cabala CA, Aung PP.. Telomerase reverse transcriptase immunohistochemical expression is sensitive but not specific for TERT gene amplification in acral melanoma. J Cutan Pathol, 2023. PMID: 37400233.
- Marques-Piubelli ML, Seervai RNH, Mudaliar KM, Ma W, Milton DR, Wang J, Muhlbauer A, Parra ER, Solis LM, Nagarajan P, Speiser J, Hudgens C, Cho WC, Aung PP, Patel A, Pacha O, Nelson KC, Tetzlaff MT, Amaria RN, Torres-Cabala CA, Prieto VG, Wistuba II, Curry JL. Gene expression profiling and multiplex immunofluorescence analysis of bullous pemphigoid immune-related adverse event reveal upregulation of toll-like receptor 4/complement-induced innate immune response and increased density of TH 1 T-cells. J Cutan Pathol, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37150813.
- Niu N, Heberton MM, Tang Z, Aung PP, Nagarajan P, Curry JL, Prieto VG, Torres-Cabala CA, Cho WC. Lymphomatoid papulosis with DUSP22-IRF4 rearrangement: A case report and literature review (**Mentorship Role**). J Cutan Pathol, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 36944579.
- Cho WC, Vanderbeck K, Nagarajan P, Milton D, Gill P, Wang WL, Curry JL, Torres-Cabala CA, Ivan D, Prieto VG, Aung PP. SOX11 Is an Effective Discriminatory Marker, When Used in Conjunction With CK20 and TTF1, for Merkel Cell Carcinoma. Arch Pathol Lab Med, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 36745184.
- Cho WC, Ding Q, Wang WL, Nagarajan P, Curry JL, Torres-Cabala CA, Ivan D, Albarracin CT, Sahin A, Prieto VG, Aung PP. Immunohistochemical Expression of TRPS1 in Mammary Paget Disease, Extramammary Paget Disease, and Their Close Histopathologic Mimics. J Cutan Pathol, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 36808637.
- Liu YA, Dai J, Nagarajan P, Torres-Cabala CA, Aung PP, Prieto VG, Cho WC. Pityriasis Rubra Pilaris After Moderna COVID-19 Vaccination: A Case Report and Literature Review (**Mentorship Role**). Am J Dermatopathol, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 36626570.
- Vanderbeck K, Cho WC, Aung PP, Ivan D, Rothrock AT, Torres-Cabala CA, Prieto VG, Curry JL, Nagarajan P. Ductal Differentiation: A Rare Phenomenon in Merkel Cell Carcinoma. J Cutan Pathol, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 36454019.
- Martel J, Cho WC, Runge JS, Patel AB, Tayar J, Woodman K, Hume CB, Curry J, Heberton M. Durvalumab-associated generalized morphea with overlapping vitiligo. JAAD Case Rep 30:83-86, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 36407485.
- Rothrock AT, Hameed N, Cho WC, Nagarajan P, Ivan D, Torres-Cabala CA, Prieto VG, Curry JL, Aung PP. BRAF V600E immunohistochemistry as a useful tool in the diagnosis of melanomas with ambiguous morphologies and immunophenotypes. J Cutan Pathol, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 36377266.
- Seervai RNH, Friske SK, Chu EY, Phillips R, Nelson KC, Huen A, Cho WC, Aung PP, Torres-Cabala CA, Prieto VG, Curry JL. The diverse landscape of dermatologic toxicities of non-immune checkpoint inhibitor monoclonal antibody-based cancer therapy. J Cutan Pathol, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 36069496.
- Rothrock AT, Torres-Cabala CA, Milton DR, Cho WC, Nagarajan P, Vanderbeck K, Curry JL, Ivan D, Prieto VG, Aung PP. Diagnostic utility of PRAME expression by immunohistochemistry in subungual and non-subungual acral melanocytic lesions. J Cutan Pathol 49(10):859-867, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35794643.
- Bartley B, Cho WC, Rady PL, Dai J, Curry JL, Milbourne A, Tyring SK, Torres-Cabala CA. Condyloma and coincidental epidermodysplasia verruciformis acanthoma positive for human papillomavirus-14 and -21. J Cutan Pathol, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 36039682.
- Bartley BR, Huen A, Rady PL, Tyring SK, Nagarajan P, Aung PP, Curry JL, Ivan D, Torres-Cabala CA, Prieto VG, Cho WC. Eosinophilic homogeneous intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies: Unique viral cytopathic changes associated with epidermodysplasia verruciformis and human papillomavirus type 49 (**Mentorship Role**). J Cutan Pathol 49(7):658-662, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35262953.
- Cho WC, Nagarajan P, Ding Q, Prieto VG, Torres-Cabala CA. Trichorhinophalangeal Syndrome Type 1-Positive Cells in Breast Dermal Granulation Tissues and Scars: A Potential Diagnostic Pitfall. Am J Dermatopathol 44(12):964-967, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35925150.
- Rothrock AT, Truong LD, Shehabeldin A, Wong MKK, Cho WC, Nagarajan P, Vanderbeck K, Curry JL, Torres-Cabala CA, Prieto VG, Aung PP. Amyloid deposition with a granulomatous reaction in a resection specimen: A clue for a pre-existing Merkel cell carcinoma. J Cutan Pathol 49(9):787-790, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35734844.
- Seervai RNH, Heberton M, Cho WC, Gill P, Murphy MB, Aung PP, Nagarajan P, Torres-Cabala CA, Patel AB, Ruiz-Bañobre J, Om A, Yamamoto T, Nikolaou V, Curry JL. Severe de novo pustular psoriasiform immune-related adverse event associated with nivolumab treatment for metastatic esophageal adenocarcinoma. J Cutan Pathol 49(5):472-481, 2022. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34888886.
- Thangaiah JJ, Westling BE, Roden AC, Giannini C, Tetzlaff M, Cho WC, Folpe AL. Loss of dimethylated H3K27 (H3K27me2) expression is not a specific marker of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST): An immunohistochemical study of 137 cases, with emphasis on MPNST and melanocytic tumors. Ann Diagn Pathol 59:151967, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35567887.
- Cho WC, Gill P, Nagarajan P, Aung PP, Torres-Cabala CA, Curry JL, Ivan D, Lester L, Prieto VG. Cutaneous Lymphoid Hyperplasia With T-Cell Clonality and Monotypic Plasma Cells Secondary to a Tick Bite: A Hidden Critter and the Power of Deeper Levels. Am J Dermatopathol 44(3):226-229, 2022. PMID: 35050559.
- Seervai RNH, Cho WC, Chu EY, Marques-Piubelli ML, Ledesma DA, Richards K, Heberton MM, Nelson KC, Nagarajan P, Torres-Cabala CA, Prieto VG, Curry JL. Diverse landscape of dermatologic toxicities from small-molecule inhibitor cancer therapy. J Cutan Pathol 49(1):61-81, 2022. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34622477.
- Gill P, Richards K, Cho WC, Nagarajan P, Aung PP, Ivan D, Curry JL, Prieto VG, Torres-Cabala CA. Localized cutaneous argyria: Review of a rare clinical mimicker of melanocytic lesions. Ann Diagn Pathol 54:151776, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34214703.
- Cho WC, Gill P, Aung PP, Gu J, Nagarajan P, Ivan D, Curry JL, Prieto VG, Torres-Cabala CA. The utility of digital pathology in improving the diagnostic skills of pathology trainees in commonly encountered pigmented cutaneous lesions during the COVID-19 pandemic: A single academic institution experience. Ann Diagn Pathol 54:151807, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34418768.
- Cho WC, Prieto VG, Aung PP. Melanocytic lesions with blue naevus-like (dendritic) morphology: an update with an emphasis on histopathological, immunophenotypic, and molecular features. Histopathology 79(3):291-305, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33772838.
- Cho WC, Wang WL, Milton DR, Ingram DR, Nagarajan P, Curry JL, Ivan D, Lazar AJ, Hwu WJ, Prieto VG, Torres-Cabala CA, Aung PP. Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase Protein Expression Is More Frequent in Acral Lentiginous Melanoma Than in Other Types of Cutaneous Melanoma. Arch Pathol Lab Med 145(7):842-850, 2021. PMID: 33053175.
- Gill P, Cho WC, Prieto VG, Nagarajan P. Metaplasia mimicking malignancy: A challenging case of florid eccrine squamous syringometaplasia. J Cutan Pathol 48(7):995-998, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33749861.
- Hadfield MJ, Cho WC, Harabasz A, Savage J. Siliconoma mimicking a locally invasive fungating breast malignancy. Breast J 26(6):1253-1254, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32314447.
- Cho WC, Mandavilli S. Intratumoral extramedullary hematopoiesis in solitary fibrous tumor of the breast. Breast J 26(4):755-758, 2020. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31486175.
- Hafeez S, Cho WC, Shen P. Leptomeningeal involvement by relapsed follicular lymphoma detected by flow cytometry despite exceedingly low white blood cell counts in cerebrospinal fluid: A case report. Indian J Pathol Microbiol 63(1):131-133, 2020. PMID: 32031143.
- Cho WC, Jour G, Aung PP. Role of angiogenesis in melanoma progression: Update on key angiogenic mechanisms and other associated components. Semin Cancer Biol 59:175-186, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31255774.
- Cho WC, Collins K, Mnayer L, Cartun RW, Earle JS. Concurrent Eosinophilic Solid and Cystic Renal Cell Carcinoma and Angiomyolipoma With Epithelial Cysts in the Setting of Tuberous Sclerosis Complex: A Rare Synchronous Occurrence of 2 Distinct Entities. Int J Surg Pathol 27(7):804-811, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31142207.
- Averbukh LD, Wu DC, Cho WC, Wu GY. Biliary Mucinous Cystadenoma: A Review of the Literature. J Clin Transl Hepatol 7(2):149-153, 2019. PMID: 31293915.
- Cho WC, Hafeez S, Shen P. Crystal-Storing Histiocytosis with Plasma Cell Neoplasm in the Setting of Chronic Carbamazepine Exposure. J Pathol Transl Med 53(2):142-144, 2019. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 29874901.
- Cho WC, Ramlal B, Fiel-Gan M, Song X. Rare Manifestations of Churg-Strauss Syndrome with Mediastinal and Hilar Lymphadenopathies: Report of an Autopsy Case. J Pathol Transl Med 53(1):66-69, 2019. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 29249116.
- Sharma I, Cho WC, Thaker S, Jensen T, Balarezo F, Weiss R, Finck C. Solid Pseudopapillary Neoplasm of the Pancreas. Journal of Pediatric Surgery Case Reports 37:63-69, 2018.
- Juusela AL, Javadian P, Cho WC, Thani S. Primary Biphasic Peritoneal Mesothelioma Encountered During Myomectomy for Symptomatic Fibroid Uterus. J Gynecol Surg 34(4):214-216, 2018.
- Cho WC, Balarezo F. Expression of CD34 and β-Catenin in Malignant Rhabdoid Tumor of the Liver Mimicking Proximal-Type Epithelioid Sarcoma. J Pathol Transl Med 52(3):195-197, 2018. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28683521.
- Cho WC, Wagner B, Gulosh M, Elaba Z. Syringoid Eccrine Carcinoma of the Foot: Report of a Rare Cutaneous Adnexal Neoplasm. Int J Surg Pathol 25(7):659-664, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28552016.
- Cho WC, Trivedi A. Widespread Systemic and Peripheral Embolization of Left Atrial Myxoma Following Blunt Chest Trauma. Conn Med 81(3):153-156, 2017. PMID: 29772157.
- Chantarasriwong O, Cho WC, Batova A, Chavasiri W, Moore C, Rheingold AL, Theodorakis EA. Evaluation of the Pharmacophoric Motif of the Caged Garcinia Xanthones. Org Biomol Chem 7(23):4886-4894, 2009. PMID: 19907779.
Grant & Contract Support
| Title: | A Comparative Analysis of SOX11, CK20, PAX5, and TTF-1 Expression in Merkel Cell Carcinoma and Pulmonary Small Cell Carcinoma |
| Funding Source: | Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | Understanding the Role of Genetic and Epigenetic Alterations of TERT and Telomerase Activity and Their Impact on the Tumor Microenvironment in Spitzoid and Blue Nevus-Like Melanomas |
| Funding Source: | The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Institutional Start-Up Funds |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | Immunohistochemical Characterization of Trichorhinophalangeal Syndrome Type 1 (TRPS1) in Cutaneous Adnexal and Non-Melanocytic Epithelial Neoplasms |
| Funding Source: | Division of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | Evaluation of Immune Profile in Cutaneous Acute Graft-versus-Host Disease and Drug Cutaneous Eruption to Improve Diagnostic Accuracy |
| Funding Source: | Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |