Michael Wach, MD

Cancer Focus:
Appendiceal (Appendix) Cancer, Colon Cancer, Peritoneal Cancer

Dr. Wach is a surgical oncologist specializing in the treatment of malignancies of the appendix, colon, and peritoneum. He has advanced expertise in performing cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC)—complex procedures used to manage cancers that have spread within the abdominal cavity. He also has advanced training in performing robotic assisted minimally invasive procedures. Dr. Wach received his Doctor of Medicine degree from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. He then completed a General Surgery Residency also at SUNY Buffalo, where he served as Chief Resident. Additionally, he completed a Surgical Oncology Research Fellowship at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) where he focused on translational research involving cancer biology and novel therapeutic strategies. Most recently, Dr. Wach completed a Complex General Surgical Oncology Fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), where he served as Chief Fellow. He has been a valuable addition to Moffitt Cancer Center and was recently chosen as a 2026 Society of Surgical Oncology Presidential Scholar. 

In his clinical practice, Dr. Wach focuses on the comprehensive management of gastrointestinal malignancies, particularly those that spread to the peritoneum. His practice integrates state-of-the-art surgical techniques with personalized, multidisciplinary care to optimize outcomes for patients with advanced and rare abdominal cancers. Dr. Wach’s research interests center on improving outcomes for patients with peritoneal surface malignancies and exploring innovative new therapies for metastatic cancer to the peritoneum. He is committed to fostering multidisciplinary collaborations with scientists aimed at understanding metastatic progression and therapeutic response. Through his combined dedication to patient care, surgical innovation, and translational research, Dr. Wach aims to advance the field of surgical oncology and improve the lives of patients facing complex cancers.

Dr. Wach is currently accepting new patients.  Patients can be seen within a week for surgical consultation.  No referral is needed.  

Clinical Trial 24229
Defining the Effects of Cytoreductive Surgery and HIPEC on the Tumor Microenvironment
Condition: Gastrointestinal Tumor
Status: Open

If you believe you are eligible for one of these trials or studies, please call
813-745-6100 or toll-free 1-800-679-0775.

• Schultz KS, Bansal VV, Wach MM, Bhutiani N, Godley FA, Wang JJ, Waheed MT, Buchheit JT, Papai E, Campbell S, Schleimer LE, Su DG, Turaga KK, Gunderson CG, White MG, Uppal A, Raghav KPS, Labow DM, Sarpel U, Shergill AP, Shen JP, Eng C, Foote MB, Baumgartner JM. Consensus Guideline for the Management of Colorectal Cancer with Peritoneal Metastases. Ann Surg Oncol. 2026 Jun.33(6):5260-5282. Pubmedid: 40560497.
• Bank H, Wach MM, Ongchin M. ASO Author Reflections: Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Prior to CRS/HIPEC for Metachronous Colorectal Peritoneal Metastases: No Survival Gain and Increased Perioperative Risk. Ann Surg Oncol. 2026 Jul.33(7):6198-6199. Pubmedid: 42018255.
• Wach MM, Bank H, Kelly K, Le T, Derby J, Nunns G, Zureikat AH, Bartlett DL, Ahrendt SA, Pingpank JF, Choudry HA, Ongchin M. A Retrospective Examination of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Metachronous Colorectal Peritoneal Metastases Prior to CRS/HIPEC. Ann Surg Oncol. 2026 Jul.33(7):6175-6184. Pubmedid: 41945300.
• Wach MM, Bank H, Kelly K, Le T, Derby J, Nunns G, Zureikat A, Bartlett DL, Ahrendt SA, Pingpank JF, Choudry MHA, Ongchin M. ASO Visual Abstract: A Retrospective Examination of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Metachronous Colorectal Peritoneal Metastases Prior to CRS/HIPEC. Ann Surg Oncol. 2026 Jul.33(7):6205-6206. Pubmedid: 42060249.
• Altpeter S, Wach MM, Giran E, Derby J, Beasley S, Pingpank JF, Ongchin M, Choudry HA. Intra-Tumoral Mucolytic Therapy for Unresectable Pseudomyxoma Peritonei: Results of a Single-Center Expanded Access Program. Ann Surg Oncol. 2026 Apr.33(4):2993-3003. Pubmedid: 41483276.
• Altpeter S, Wach MM, Giran E, Derby J, Beasley S, Pingpank JF, Ongchin M, Choudry HA. ASO Visual Abstract: Intratumoral Mucolytic Therapy for Unresectable Pseudomyxoma Peritonei: Results of a Single-Center Expanded Access Program. Ann Surg Oncol. 2026 Apr.33(4):3027-3028. Pubmedid: 41649778.
• Iugai S, Gushchin V, King MC, Copeland A, Wach M, Derby J, Kovalik V, Falla-Zuniga LF, Uzhegova K, Studeman K, Nieroda C, Choudry H, Sardi A. Clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with goblet cell adenocarcinoma of the appendix treated with cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC): A multicenter cohort study. Eur J Surg Oncol. 2026 Apr.52(4):111489. Pubmedid: 41740516.
• Wach MM, Dineen SP. ASO Practice Guideline Series: Management of Colorectal Peritoneal Metastases. Ann Surg Oncol. 2025 Sep.32(9):6589-6603. Pubmedid: 40587073.
• Sarvestani AL, Ruff S, Remmert K, Teke M, Verbus E, Saif A, Garmendia-Cedillos M, Rossi A, Rainey A, Nomie K, Sinha S, Wach MM, Ryan C, Gregory SN, Desai P, Panda AK, Smith EC, Ayabe R, McDonald JD, Gupta S, Pu T, Khan T, Lambdin J, Luberice K, Lux SC, Hong H, Alexander I, Akmal SR, Rehman S, Xiao S, Ho J, Burke J, Hannah CE, Livanova A, Tyshevich A, Kurpe S, Kravets A, Salem B, Vibe D, Tkachukv A, Belozerova A, Sarachakov A, Barykin E, Kushnarev V, Postovalova E, Bagaev A, Kedei N, Hernandez M, Karim B, Butcher D, Matta J, Kelly M, Singh J, Prickett TD, Hodge J, Andresson T, Yaffe MB, Shevach EM, Kleiner D, Davis JL, Blakely AM, Hernandez JM. A simple circuit to sustain intact tumor microenvironments for complex drug interrogations. bioRxiv. 2025 Oct. Pubmedid: 41279433. Pmcid: PMC12636357.
• Sinha S, Panda AK, Xavier das Neves R, Nwosu ZC, Xu K, van Beek E, Desai PP, Sindiri S, Chempati S, Remmert K, Gasmi B, Bojmar L, Zambirinis C, Rossi AJ, Ayabe RI, Wach MM, McDonald JD, Ruff SM, Verbus EA, Saif A, Eade AV, Larrain CM, Friedman LR, Gupta S, Ranjan A, Teke ME, Khan TM, Pu T, Sarvestani AL, Ryan CE, Lambdin JT, Luberice K, Gregory SN, Lux SC, Hong H, Luna AJ, Alexander IA, Akmal SR, Rehman SU, Rainey A, Prickett TD, Koparde VN, Sevilla S, Kuhn SA, Chan K, Sun Z, Bubunenko N, Li E, Hannah C, Gaga G, Andresson T, Cam MC, Wu X, Jenkins LM, Blakely AM, Davis JL, Trinchieri G, Singh PK, Yang JC, Pasca di Magliano M, Lyssiotis CA, Yaffe MB, Shevach EM, Hernandez JM. Expression of IMPACT Curtails Metabolic Plasticity and Augments NK Cell Killing to Abrogate Metastatic Growth. Cancer Discov. 2025 Nov.OF1-OF30. Pubmedid: 41025961.
• Schultz KS, Bansal VV, Wach MM, Bhutiani N, Godley FA, Wang JJ, Waheed MT, Buchheit JT, Papai E, Campbell S, Schleimer LE, Su DG, Turaga KK, Gunderson CG, White MG, Uppal A, Raghav KPS, Labow DM, Sarpel U, Shergill AP, Shen JP, Eng C, Foote MB, Baumgartner JM. Consensus guideline for the management of colorectal cancer with peritoneal metastases. Cancer. 2025 Jul.131(13):e35869. Pubmedid: 40558054.
• Sinha S, Panda AK, Xavier das Neves R, Nwosu ZC, Xu K, van Beek E, Desai PP, Sindiri S, Chempati S, Remmert K, Gasmi B, Bojmar L, Zambirinis C, Rossi AJ, Ayabe RI, Wach MM, McDonald JD, Ruff SM, Verbus EA, Saif A, Eade AV, Larrain CM, Friedman LR, Gupta S, Ranjan A, Teke ME, Khan TM, Pu T, Sarvestani AL, Ryan CE, Lambdin JT, Luberice K, Gregory SN, Lux SC, Hong H, Luna AJ, Alexander IA, Akmal SR, Rehman SU, Rainey A, Prickett TD, Koparde VN, Sevilla S, Kuhn SA, Chan K, Sun Z, Bubunenko N, Li E, Hannah C, Gaga G, Andresson T, Cam MC, Wu X, Jenkins LM, Blakely AM, Davis JL, Trinchieri G, Singh PK, Yang JC, Pasca di Magliano M, Lyssiotis CA, Yaffe MB, Shevach EM, Hernandez JM. Expression of IMPACT curtails metabolic plasticity and augments NK cell killing to abrogate metastatic growth. Cancer Discov. 2025 Jul. Pubmedid: 40736016.
• Friedman LR, Stepp HE, Lambdin J, Luna A, Rossi A, Lux SC, Wach MM, Luberice K, Ruff SM, McDonald J, Ayabe RI, Rehman SU, Ryan C, Gregory S, Eade AV, Larrain C, Victory JH, Pursley R, Noel T, Freidlin M, Gupta S, Pu T, Rainey A, Verbus E, Teke M, Saif A, Khan TM, Alexander IA, Sinha S, Akmal SR, Maram RR, Sarvestani L, Hewitt SM, Doroshow J, Remmert K, Smith E, Desai P, Miao N, Driscoll K, West K, Heller T, Levy E, Davis J, Blakely A, Kleiner DE, Kakareka J, Pohida T, Hernandez JM. An Open-Source Normothermic Perfusion System Designed for Research Scientists. J Vis Exp. 2025 Jul.(221). Pubmedid: 40758600.
• Wach MM, Washburn LA, Alvikas J, Qu LT, Zhang M, Etherington MS, Rieser C, Haykal T, Pingpank JF, Zureikat AH, Geller DA, Hoehn RS, Tohme S. Combined hepatic resection and ablation for high burden of colorectal liver metastases demonstrates safety and durable survival. HPB (Oxford). 2024 Mar.26(3):362-369. Pubmedid: 38008683.
• Wach MM, Nunns G, Hamed A, Derby J, Jelinek M, Tatsuoka C, Holtzman MP, Zureikat AH, Bartlett DL, Ahrendt SA, Pingpank JF, Choudry MHA, Ongchin M. Normal CEA Levels After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy and Cytoreduction with Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemoperfusion Predict Improved Survival from Colorectal Peritoneal Metastases. Ann Surg Oncol. 2024 Apr.31(4):2391-2400. Pubmedid: 38270826.
• Hedges EA, Khan TM, Teke M, Wach MM, Hernandez JM, Hoover SJ. Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship applicant selection and ranking: A survey of Society of Surgical Oncology programs. J Surg Oncol. 2023 Jan.127(1):34-39. Pubmedid: 36181515. Pmcid: PMC10691500.
• Wach MM, Myneni AA, Miller L, Boccardo J, Ibrahim-Zada I, Schwaitzberg SS, Noyes K, Gajdos C. An assessment of perioperative outcomes for open, laparoscopic, and robot-assisted pancreaticoduodenectomy in New York State. J Surg Oncol. 2022 Dec.126(8):1434-1441. Pubmedid: 35986891.
• Wach MM, Subjeck JR, Wang XY, Repasky E, Matsuzaki J, Yu H, Wang C, Fisher D, Skitzki JJ, Kane JM. Recombinant human Hsp110-gp100 chaperone complex vaccine is nontoxic and induces response in advanced stage melanoma patients. Melanoma Res. 2022 Apr.32(2):88-97. Pubmedid: 35254331. Pmcid: PMC8985419.
• Diggs LP, Aversa JG, Wiemken TL, Martin SP, Drake JA, Ruff SM, Wach MM, Brown ZJ, Blakely AM, Davis JL, Luu C, Hernandez JM. Patient Comorbidities Drive High Mortality Rates Associated with Major Liver Resections Irrespective of Hospital Volume. Am Surg. 2021 Jul.87(7):1163-1170. Pubmedid: 33345554. Pmcid: PMC9927630.
• Drake JA, Diggs LP, Martin SP, Wach MM, Jafferji MS, Steinberg SM, Blakely AM, Davis JL, Hoang CD, Ripley RT, Hernandez JM. Characteristics of Matriculants to Thoracic Surgery Residency Training Programs. Ann Thorac Surg. 2021 Dec.112(6):2070-2075. Pubmedid: 33378696. Pmcid: PMC9913615.
• Ayabe RI, Wach MM, Ruff SM, Diggs LP, Martin SP, Wiemken T, Hinyard L, Davis JL, Luu C, Hernandez JM. Gallbladder squamous cell carcinoma: An analysis of 1084 cases from the National Cancer Database. J Surg Oncol. 2020 Sep.122(4):716-722. Pubmedid: 32510655. Pmcid: PMC8482609.
• Gupta S, McDonald JD, Wach MM, Badillo AT, Steinberg SM, Davis JL, Kotagal M, Garrison AP, Hernandez JM. Qualities and characteristics of applicants associated with successful matriculation to pediatric surgery fellowship training. J Pediatr Surg. 2020 Oct.55(10):2075-2079. Pubmedid: 31761460. Pmcid: PMC8183736.
• Ruff SM, Rothermel LD, Diggs LP, Wach MM, Ayabe RI, Martin SP, Boulware D, Anaya D, Davis JL, Mullinax JE, Hernandez JM. Tumor grade may be used to select patients with multifocal hepatocellular carcinoma for resection. HPB (Oxford). 2020 Jul.22(7):1004-1010. Pubmedid: 31734237. Pmcid: PMC7771330.
• Martin SP, Drake J, Wach MM, Ruff SM, Diggs LP, Wan JY, Good ML, Dominguez DA, Ayabe RI, Glazer ES, Dickson PV, Davis JL, Deneve JL, Hernandez JM. Resection and chemotherapy is the optimal treatment approach for patients with clinically node positive intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. HPB (Oxford). 2020 Jan.22(1):129-135. Pubmedid: 31326265. Pmcid: PMC8456743.
• Ayabe RI, Narayan RR, Ruff SM, Wach MM, Lo W, Nierop PMH, Steinberg SM, Ripley RT, Davis JL, Koerkamp BG, D'Angelica MI, Kingham TP, Jarnagin WR, Hernandez JM. Disease-free interval and tumor functional status can be used to select patients for resection/ablation of liver metastases from adrenocortical carcinoma: insights from a multi-institutional study. HPB (Oxford). 2020 Jan.22(1):169-175. Pubmedid: 31447392. Pmcid: PMC7948253.
• Wach MM, Grubbs EG, D'Angelica M, Hernandez JM. ASO Author Reflections: Complex General Surgical Oncology Fellowships: What Are Programs Looking For?. Ann Surg Oncol. 2019 Sep.26(9):2682-2683. Pubmedid: 31243664.
• Ayabe RI, Wach M, Ruff S, Martin S, Diggs L, Wiemken T, Hinyard L, Davis JL, Luu C, Hernandez JM. Primary Gallbladder Neuroendocrine Tumors: Insights into a Rare Histology Using a Large National Database. Ann Surg Oncol. 2019 Oct.26(11):3577-3585. Pubmedid: 31102094. Pmcid: PMC8189165.
• Ruff SM, Ayabe RI, Malekzadeh P, Good ML, Wach MM, Gonzales MK, Tirosh A, Nilubol N, Pacak K, Kebebew E, Patel D. MicroRNA-210 May Be a Preoperative Biomarker of Malignant Pheochromocytomas and Paragangliomas. J Surg Res. 2019 Nov.243:1-7. Pubmedid: 31146085. Pmcid: PMC7478339.
• Martin SP, Drake J, Wach MM, Ruff S, Diggs LP, Wan JY, Brown ZJ, Ayabe RI, Glazer ES, Dickson PV, Davis JL, Deneve JL, Hernandez JM. Laparoscopic Approach to Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma is Associated with an Exacerbation of Inadequate Nodal Staging. Ann Surg Oncol. 2019 Jun.26(6):1851-1857. Pubmedid: 30895496. Pmcid: PMC8132107.
• Ruff SM, Ayabe RI, Wach MM, Diggs LP, Martin SP, Davis JL, Hernandez JM. Practice patterns of VTE chemoprophylaxis after discharge following hepatic and pancreatic resections for cancer: A survey of hepatopancreatobiliary surgeons. J Thromb Thrombolysis. 2019 Jul.48(1):119-124. Pubmedid: 30877618. Pmcid: PMC6595222.
• Kariya CM, Wach MM, Ruff SM, Ayabe RI, Lo WM, Torres MB, Petrick JL, McNeel TS, Davis JL, McGlynn KA, Hernandez JM. Postbiliary drainage rates of cholangitis are impacted by procedural technique for patients with supra-ampullary cholangiocarcinoma: A SEER-Medicare analysis. J Surg Oncol. 2019 Aug.120(2):249-255. Pubmedid: 31044430. Pmcid: PMC6635029.
• Wach MM, Ayabe RI, Ruff SM, D'Angelica M, Dineen SP, Grubbs EG, Shibata D, Shirley L, Weiss MJ, Davis JL, Hernandez JM. A Survey of the Complex General Surgical Oncology Fellowship Programs Regarding Applicant Selection and Rank. Ann Surg Oncol. 2019 Apr.26(9):2675-2681. Pubmedid: 31011903. Pmcid: PMC6684844.
• Martin SP, Ruff S, Diggs LP, Drake J, Ayabe RI, Brown ZJ, Wach MM, Steinberg SM, Davis JL, Hernandez JM. Tumor grade and sex should influence the utilization of portal lymphadenectomy for early stage intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. HPB (Oxford). 2019 Apr.21(4):419-424. Pubmedid: 30139566. Pmcid: PMC8142509.
• Wach MM, van Beek E, Ayabe R, Ruff S, Brown Z, Goldman DA, Zambirinis CP, Gholami S, Pulitzer M, Hernandez J, Coit D. Metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of known and unknown primary origin treated with axillary or inguinal lymphadenectomy. Am J Surg. 2018 Nov.216(5):963-968. Pubmedid: 30143231. Pmcid: PMC7545876.
• Wach MM, Ruff SM, Ayabe RI, Martin SP, Diggs LP, Alexander IA, Steinberg SM, Davis JL, Hernandez JM. An Examination of Applicants and Factors Associated with Matriculation to Complex General Surgical Oncology Fellowship Training Programs. Ann Surg Oncol. 2018 Nov.25(12):3436-3442. Pubmedid: 30054823. Pmcid: PMC6191290.
• Fanous AA, Natarajan SK, Jowdy PK, Dumont TM, Mokin M, Yu J, Goldstein A, Wach MM, Budny JL, Hopkins LN, Snyder KV, Siddiqui AH, Levy EI. In Reply: High-Risk Factors in Symptomatic Patients Undergoing Carotid Artery Stenting With Distal Protection: Buffalo Risk Assessment Scale (BRASS). Neurosurgery. 2016 Nov.79(5):E640-E641. Pubmedid: 27759685.
• Singla S, LeVea CM, Pokuri VK, Attwood KM, Wach MM, Tomaszewski GM, Kuvshinoff B, Iyer R. Ki67 score as a potential predictor in the selection of liver-directed therapies for metastatic neuroendocrine tumors: a single institutional experience. J Gastrointest Oncol. 2016 Jun.7(3):441-448. Pubmedid: 27284478. Pmcid: PMC4880774.
• Fanous AA, Natarajan SK, Jowdy PK, Dumont TM, Mokin M, Yu J, Goldstein A, Wach MM, Budny JL, Hopkins LN, Snyder KV, Siddiqui AH, Levy EI. High-Risk Factors in Symptomatic Patients Undergoing Carotid Artery Stenting With Distal Protection: Buffalo Risk Assessment Scale (BRASS). Neurosurgery. 2015 Oct.77(4):531-542. Pubmedid: 26308641.
• Wach MM, Dumont TM, Shakir HJ, Snyder KV, Hopkins LN, Levy EI, Siddiqui AH. Carotid artery stenting in nonagenarians: are there benefits in surgically treating this high risk population?. J Neurointerv Surg. 2015 Mar.7(3):182-187. Pubmedid: 24503283.
• Shallwani H, Dumont TM, Wach MM, Levy EI, Siddiqui AH. Endoluminal stent reconstruction of low-grade, symptomatic carotid plaques: a treatment alternative-report of two cases. J Vasc Interv Neurol. 2014 May.7(1):43-46. Pubmedid: 24920988. Pmcid: PMC4051904.
• Wach MM, Dumont TM, Mokin M, Kass-Hout T, Snyder KV, Hopkins LN, Levy EI, Siddiqui AH. Early carotid angioplasty and stenting may offer non-inferior treatment for symptomatic cases of carotid artery stenosis. J Neurointerv Surg. 2014 May.6(4):276-280. Pubmedid: 23709580.
• Sorkin GC, Dumont TM, Wach MM, Eller JL, Mokin M, Natarajan SK, Baxter MS, Snyder KV, Levy EI, Hopkins LN, Siddiqui AH. Carotid artery stenting outcomes: do they correlate with antiplatelet response assays?. J Neurointerv Surg. 2014 Jun.6(5):373-378. Pubmedid: 23794673.
• Dumont TM, Mokin M, Wach MM, Drummond PS, Siddiqui AH, Levy EI, Hopkins LN. Understanding risk factors for perioperative ischemic events with carotid stenting: is patient age over 80 years or is unfavorable arch anatomy to blame?. J Neurointerv Surg. 2014 Apr.6(3):219-224. Pubmedid: 23685755.
• Dumont TM, Wach MM, Mokin M, Sorkin GC, Snyder KV, Hopkins LN, Levy EI, Siddiqui AH. Perioperative complications after carotid artery stenting: a contemporary experience from the university at buffalo neuroendovascular surgery team. Neurosurgery. 2013 Oct.73(4):689-693. Pubmedid: 23842555.
• Quinn KD, Nguyen NQ, Wach MM, Wood TD. Tandem mass spectrometry of bilin tetrapyrroles by electrospray ionization and collision-induced dissociation. Rapid Commun Mass Spectrom. 2012 Aug.26(16):1767-1775. Pubmedid: 22777778. Pmcid: PMC3395471.