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Department Brain Tumor and Neuro-Oncology Center
Primary Location Cleveland Clinic Main Campus
Type of Doctor Both Adults and Children & Adolescents
Languages English
Surgeon No
Locations
Cleveland Clinic Main Campus
Primary Location

Cleveland Clinic Main Campus

Appointment:
216.636.0007
Desk:
216.445.7876
Fax:
216.445.1068

Additional Locations

Specialties & Treatments

Treatment & Services

  • Adult Neuro-Oncology
  • Body Radiosurgery
  • Brachytherapy
  • Brain Tumor Management
  • Cancer Center
  • Clinical Trials
  • Cranial Radiosurgery
  • External Beam Radiotherapy
  • Fractionated Radiotherapy
  • Gamma Knife Radiosurgery
  • Hyperfractionated Radiation Therapy
  • Image-Guided Radiation Therapy
  • Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy
  • Novalis Radiosurgery/Radiotherapy
  • Pediatric Neuro-Oncology
  • PET in Tumors
  • Radiation Oncology
  • Radiation Therapy
  • Radiotherapy
  • Spine Radiosurgery
  • Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT)
  • Stereotactic Radiosurgery
View all 22 Treatment & Services +

Specialty in Diseases & Conditions

  • Acoustic Neuroma
  • Adult Brain Tumors
  • Anaplastic Astrocytomas
  • Anaplastic Oligodendrogliomas
  • Astrocytoma
  • Benign Brain Tumors
  • Benign Tumors of the Spinal Cord
  • Brain Cancer
  • Brain Lymphoma
  • Brain Metastases
  • Cancer
  • Cavernous Sinus Tumors
  • Central Nervous System (CNS) Malignancies
  • Chordomas
  • Clival Chordomas
  • Ependymomas
  • Glioblastoma Multiforme
  • Hemangioblastomas
  • Heterotopic Ossification
  • Malignant Gliomas
  • Malignant Tumors of the Spinal Cord
  • Meningioma
  • Myeloma
  • Ocular Lymphomas
  • Ocular Metastasis
  • Oligodendroglioma
  • Ophthalmic Tumors
  • Pediatric Brain Cancer
  • Pediatric Spine Tumors
  • Pituitary Tumors
  • Primary Central Nervous System (CNS) Lymphomas
  • Retinal Hemangioma
  • Retinoblastoma
  • Sarcomas of the Brain or Head
  • Skull Base Cancer
  • Spinal Cancer
  • Spinal Metastases
  • Spine Tumors
  • Trigeminal Neuralgia
  • Uveal Melanoma
View all 40 Specialties +
Insurance

Insurance

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View All Plans
Biography

About Samuel Chao, MD

Samuel Chao, MD, obtained his Bachelor's degree in chemistry with Honors and Distinction from Stanford University. He attended medical school at Case Western Reserve University and stayed in Cleveland to specialize in radiation oncology at Cleveland Clinic, where he is currently on Staff. His appointment is under the Brain Tumor and Neuro-Oncology Center and the Department of Radiation Oncology. Dr. Chao is also Professor at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University.

His clinical interests include adult and pediatric brain tumors, brain metastases, heterotopic ossification, stereotactic radiosurgery of the brain and spine, Gamma Knife radiosurgery, intensity-modulated radiation therapy and image-guided radiation therapy. His research interests include improving quality of life following treatment, and outcomes following radiation to the brain and spine. He is actively involved in research studies for brain and spine tumors.

Dr. Chao has been invited nationally and internationally to give lectures on the management of brain and spine tumors using radiation. He is a lecturer for the Cleveland Clinic Gamma Knife course. He has authored numerous papers and book chapters regarding radiation for benign disease and malignant tumors.

Dr. Chao has written the following articles:

Gamma Knife® Now Option for More Brain Metastases

Case Study: Molecular Planning, Anti-Angiogenic Therapy, Low Dose Rate Radiation Instrumental in Retreating Brain Tumor

Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Trigeminal Neuralgia Yields QoL Dividends

2-Staged Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Large Brain Metastases: More Support from Largest Series Yet 

Distinguishing Radiation Necrosis from Tumor Progression with 18F-Fluciclovine PET/CT

18F Fluciclovine PET CT Helps Distinguish Radiation Necrosis from Brain Tumor Progression

Gamma Knife for Brain Tumors: Latest Developments and What’s on the Horizon

Education & Professional Highlights

Education & Professional Highlights

Appointed
2006

Education & Fellowships

Residency - Cleveland Clinic
Radiation Oncology
Cleveland, OH USA
2006

Internship - Cleveland Clinic
Transitional Year
Cleveland, OH USA
2002

Medical Education - Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
MD
Cleveland, OH USA
2001

Undergraduate - Stanford University
Chemistry
Stanford, CA USA
1997

Additional Training

  • Special Training for Gamma Knife Icon, 2016
  • Special Training for Gamma Knife Perfexion, 2007
  • Pediatric Radiation Oncology Rotation at St. Jude, Memphis, Tenn., 2005

Professional Highlights

  • Radiological Society of North America Roentgen Resident/Fellow Research Award, 2006
  • Radiation Therapy Oncology Group Travel Award, 2006
  • Board-certified in radiation oncology

Certifications

  • Radiology - Radiation Oncology

Specialty Interests

Brain tumor, gamma knife

Awards & Honors

  • Radiological Society of North America Roentgen Resident/Fellow Research Award, 2006
  • Radiation Therapy Oncology Group Travel Award, 2006

Memberships

  • American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology
  • International Stereotactic Radiosurgery Society
  • Leksell Gamma Knife Society
  • American College of Radiology
  • American Radium society
Research & Publications

Research & Publications

See publications for Samuel Chao, MD.

(Disclaimer: This search is powered by PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. PubMed is a third-party website with no affiliation with Cleveland Clinic.)

Industry Relationships

Industry Relationships

Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists may collaborate with the pharmaceutical or medical device industries to help develop medical breakthroughs or provide medical expertise or education. Cleveland Clinic strives to make scientific advances that will benefit patient care and support outside relationships that promise public benefit. In order for the discoveries of Cleveland Clinic physicians' and scientists' laboratories and investigations to benefit the public, these discoveries must be commercialized in partnership with industry. As experts in their fields, Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists are often sought after by industry to consult, provide expertise and education.

To assure professional and commercial integrity in such matters, Cleveland Clinic maintains a program that reviews these collaborations and, when appropriate, puts measures in place to minimize bias that may result from ties to industry. Cleveland Clinic publicly discloses the names of companies when (i) its physicians/scientists receive $5,000 or more per year (or, in rare cases, equity or stock options) for speaking and consulting, (ii) its physicians/scientists serve as a fiduciary, (iii) its physicians/scientists receive or have the right to receive royalties or (iv) its physicians/ scientists hold any equity interest for the physician's/scientist's role as inventor, discoverer, developer, founder or consultant.* In publicly disclosing this information, Cleveland Clinic tries to provide information as accurately as possible about its physicians' and scientists' connections with industry.

As of 7/23/2023, Dr. Chao has reported no financial relationship with industry that is applicable to this listing. In general, patients should feel free to contact their doctor about any of the relationships and how the relationships are overseen by Cleveland Clinic. To learn more about Cleveland Clinic's policies on collaborations with industry and innovation management, go to our Integrity in Innovation page.

Public Health Service-Reportable Financial Conflicts of Interest. Cleveland Clinic scientists and physicians engage in basic, translational and clinical research activities, working to solve health problems, enhance patient care and improve quality of life for patients. Interactions with industry are essential to bringing the researchers' discoveries to the public, but can present the potential for conflicts of interest related to their research activities. Click here to view a listing of instances where Cleveland Clinic has identified a Public Health Service (PHS)-Reportable Financial Conflict of Interest and has put measures in place to ensure that, to the extent possible, the design, conduct and reporting of the research is free from bias.

* Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists subscribe to the guidance presented in the PhRMA Code on Interactions with Healthcare Professionals and the AdvaMed Code of Ethics on Interactions with Health Care Professionals. As such, gifts of substantial value are generally prohibited.

Patient Satisfaction Reviews

107 Patient Satisfaction Reviews

The Patient Satisfaction Rating is an average of all responses to the care provider related questions shown below from our nationally-recognized Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survey. Patients that are treated in outpatient or hospital environments may receive different surveys, and the volume of responses will vary by question.

Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.

The comments are submitted by patients and reflect their views and opinions. The comments are not endorsed by and do not necessarily reflect the views of Cleveland Clinic.

Overall Star Ratings
4.9 out of 5
Explains 4.9
Courtesy, Respect & Concern 4.9
Patient Rating of Doctor 4.9

17 Patient Comments

Reviewed on Mar 19, 2024

Dr Chao was filling in for Dr Murphy because she was on vacation but treated me like I was a regular patient of his

Reviewed on Mar 15, 2024

Dr. Chao is very calming and professional. He has a kind demeanor.

Reviewed on Mar 8, 2024

First time I've ever done a video visit. A great experience, the Dr. Chao was great about explaining and answering all the questions and concerns I had. Thank you Dr. Chao.

Reviewed on Jan 3, 2024

Good experience with all od tbe staff at that department. All very nice, respectful and patient. The physician was very kind, knowledgeable and respectful. Good experience overall!

Reviewed on Nov 16, 2023

My visit was very good. Dr Chao was very informative.

Reviewed on Oct 26, 2023

Great explanations and care from both the resident and Dr. Chao.

Reviewed on Oct 26, 2023

Good experience. Doctors took lots of time to answer all my questions

Reviewed on Sep 13, 2023

There really is no waiting. The different stages of the visit are ALWAYS on time. Dr. Chao is timely, professional, and caring.

Reviewed on Sep 13, 2023

I can't say enough about Dr. Chao - he has been great.

Reviewed on Sep 7, 2023

Very personable. He had us brought to him so we were not kept waiting. He did a great job of explaining what was going to happen, what needed to happen and that he would do his best to coordinate it in as short as time as possible. I appreciated that, since I travel to come to Cleveland Clinic.

Reviewed on Aug 4, 2023

I had several questions, and Dr. Chao and Jay provided answers that were clear and addressed my concerns.

Reviewed on Aug 2, 2023

I had a thorough and informative conversation my Dr with a follow up plan and next steps. I'm very happy I came.

Reviewed on Jul 19, 2023

Dr. Sam Chao is wonderful!

Reviewed on Jul 6, 2023

Always a pleasure with Dr. Chao

Reviewed on May 17, 2023

I love Dr. Chao! He listens to me and he knows a lot about my cancer (lung cancer that has metastasized to the brain). I get the feeling that he cares.

Reviewed on May 16, 2023

Very impressed with Dr.Chao and his expertise. I felt confident that he was concerned about my care.

Reviewed on Apr 18, 2023

Always an experience that is positive with his doctor

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