Dukagjin Blakaj, MD, PHD

About Me

I am a radiation oncologist and director of the Head and Neck Department of Radiation Oncology at The Ohio State University, where I also serve as an associate professor. I am proficient in a variety of techniques, including intensity-modulated radiotherapy, image-guided radiotherapy, Linac- and Gamma Knife-based stereotactic radiosurgery and stereotactic body radiation therapy, and intraoperative radiation therapy.

I am passionate about practicing medicine as well as research. As a member of the Translational Therapeutics Program at the OSUCCC – James, my clinical and translational science research interests include experimental therapeutics in head and neck, endocrine and spine malignancies, human papillomavirus (HPV)-induced malignancies, immunotherapy and radiation resistance mechanisms of head and neck and metastatic spine cancers in general.

I believe that teamwork is the key to ultimately ending cancer, which is one of the reasons why I’m proud to be part of OSUCCC – James. Our multidisciplinary teams of subspecialists provide expert care to our patients. I’m also inspired by being part of a department whose goal is to take the most cutting-edge research and translate it into care that is personalized for each patient based on the specific biological markers of his or her cancer.

Giving back has always been important to me. While earning my medical and doctorate degrees, I served as the chair of my medical school’s chapter of Physicians for Human Rights. I was also the co-founder of a non-profit organization that promotes educational opportunities. More recently, I participated in Pelotonia and rode more than 100 miles to help raise money for cancer research at OSCUCC – James.

Highlights

• Rated in the top 10 percent of physicians in the nation for patient satisfaction, 2016

Procedures and Conditions I Treat

• Head and Neck Cancer
• Brain Cancers
• Melanoma
• Skull Base Tumors
• Oropharyngeal Cancers
• Mouth Cancers
• Radiation Oncology
• Radiotherapy, Image-Guided
• Spinal Cancers
• Salivary Gland Cancers
• Hypopharyngeal Cancers
• Nasopharyngeal Cancers
• Palatal Cancers
• Parotid Cancers
• Pharyngeal Cancers
• Tongue Cancers
• Tonsillar Cancers
• Sublingual Gland Cancers
• Laryngeal Cancers
• Otorhinolaryngeal Cancer
• Carcinoma, Merkel Cell
• Carcinoma, Basal Cell
• Carcinoma, Squamous Cell
• Second Primary Cancers
• Radiotherapy, Computer-Assisted
• Lip Cancers
• Paranasal Sinus Cancers
• Maxillary Sinus Cancers
• Nervous System Tumor
• Spinal Cord Tumors

My Videos

Reviews

The overall patient satisfaction rating is an average of all patient responses to the six doctor communication related questions shown below from the Clinician and Group Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems survey. For additional information about the patient satisfaction survey, please visit our Patient Satisfaction Survey page.

The comments are submitted by patients and reflect their view and opinions. The comments are not endorsed by and do not necessarily reflect the views of Ohio State Wexner Medical Center.