Education
Columbia College of Physicians & Surgeons
Certifications
Urology
Residencies
Columbia Presbyterian (New York NY) - Urology
Fellowships
Mount Sinai Hospital (New York NY) - Minimally Invasive Oncology & Robotic Surgery
Yale-New Haven Hospital (New Haven CT) - Urologic Oncology
Clinical / Research Interests
Urologic Oncology
Prostate cancer including prostate MRI and MRI-ultrasound fusion biopsy
Bladder Cancer
Kidney Cancer
Testis cancer
Robotic Surgery with the DaVinci Si and Xi platforms
Biography

Michael J. Whalen, MD is an Associate Professor of Urology and Director of Urologic Oncology at the George Washington University School of Medicine & Health SciencesHe graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in Neurobiology from Harvard College and received his medical degree from Columbia College of Physicians & Surgeons in New York City. He completed his residency in Urology at New York Presbyterian Hospital-Columbia University Medical Center. Dr. Whalen has received fellowship training in Robotic and Minimally Invasive Urologic Oncology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York and completed a second fellowship in Urologic Oncology at Yale-New Haven Hospital. He is board-certified by the American Board of Urology and has been inducted as a member of the Society of Urologic Oncology (SUO) and the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).

Dr. Whalen's specialty focus involves treatment of urological cancers, with expertise in both major open and minimally invasive surgery. His clinical interests include prostate cancer (including prostate MRI, MRI-ultrasound fusion biopsy and cryotherapy), bladder cancer (including blue-light cystoscopy and continent/incontinent urinary diversion), kidney cancer, testis cancer, adrenal cancer, ureteral cancer, robotic surgery with the DaVinci system (including prostatectomy, cystectomy, partial nephrectomy, and adrenalectomy) and laparoscopic surgery. He was the first surgeon to perform supine-position robotic retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy for advanced testicular cancer at GW.  He works closely with a dedicated team of Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners to provide superlative and compassionate medical care. 

Dr. Whalen is actively involved in clinical outcomes research focusing on cancer of the prostate, bladder, and kidneys. He has published numerous original research articles in peer-reviewed journals, including Urologic Oncology, Urology Practice, Prostate, Journal of Laparoendoscopic & Advanced Surgical Techniques, and BJU International. His research interests include robotic surgery techniques, optimization of pathologic reporting of urological cancers, and multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mp-MRI) and its role in prostate cancer management—active surveillance, post-treatment biochemical recurrence, focal ablation, and comparison to/integration with commercially-available serum-based and tissue-based genomic assays. He also serves as the Principle Investigator for many cooperative group, investigator-initiated, and industry-sponsored clinical trials. He aims to bring cutting edge clinical trials to traditionally under-represented patient populations.

Dr. Whalen has presented at numerous conferences in the US and internationally, including the American Urological Association (AUA) National Conference, the AUA New York Section Ferdinand C. Valentine Medal & Resident Essay Meeting, the 2016 World Cancer Congress in Shanghai, China, and the 2014 AUA National Chief's Debate, which he won as a representative of the New York Section. He is a member of the American Urological Association and serves on the Editorial Board of the ARC Journal of Urology (AJU), as a reviewer for Current Urology, and as a reviewer/statistical consultant for the Journal of Urology.

Dr. Whalen is also passionately involved in medical student education at the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences, serving as faculty mentor for the Clinical Apprenticeship Program, Urology resident Research mentor, Urology Interest Group faculty mentor, and research PI as part of the Gill Summer Research Fellowship program (2018-present) and the Jean L. Fourcroy Research Award program (2019-present).  He was voted Teacher of the Year by the Urology residents in June 2019 and recently was awarded the Commission on Cancer, Cancer Liaison Program Outstanding Performance Award (9/2021) for his role as the Cancer Liaison Physician for GW Hospital. His students’ projects have also received several awards: Beaumont Research Award in spring 2020; Population Science and Health Equity Cancer Research Prize at the GW Research Showcase, 4/2022; and 2nd place overall in the Commission on Cancer (CoC) Cancer Research Paper Competition, 6/2022. 

Top Doctors 2021

​Dr. Whalen's recent book chapter on Preventing Erectile Dysfunction after Radical Prostatectomy can be viewed by clicking here.

Dr. Whalen has been recognized as one of Washingtonian's 2021 Top Doctors.

Dr. Whalen honored by Marquis Who's Who

Dr. Michael Whalen selected as Top Urologist of the Year by the International Association of Top Professionals (IAOTP).

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Podcasts

Listen to Dr. Michael Whalen's podcast regarding how to lower your risk of prostate cancer. Press the play button below:

What the New Prostate Screening Guidelines Mean for Men’s Health:


Radio Interviews


Lectures


Clinical Resources

Prostate Cancer

  1. Prostate Cancer information (GW Cancer Center)
  2. Prostate Cancer information (Spanish)
  3. National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Prostate Cancer Information - early stage
  4. National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Prostate Cancer Information - advanced stage
  5. Prostate Cancer Risk Reduction Diet
  6. Prostate Cancer Risk Reduction Diet (Spanish)
  7. Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy & Kegel Exercises
  8. Androgen Deprivation Therapy
  9. Healthy Living while on Androgen Deprivation Therapy
  10. GW Cancer Center Support Groups

Bladder Cancer

  1. Bladder Cancer information (GW Cancer Center)
  2. Intravesical therapy (BCG & chemotherapy)
  3. Preparation for Radical Cystectomy surgery
  4. Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network (BCAN)

Kidney Cancer

  1. Kidney Cancer information (GW Cancer Center)

Testicular Cancer

  1. Testicular Cancer Awareness Foundation: https://www.testicularcancerawarenessfoundation.org/

  2. Testicular Cancer Society: https://testicularcancersociety.org/

  3. Fairfax Cryobank for sperm banking/cryopreservation

Urinary Symptoms

  1. Bladder irritants list & infection reduction
  2. Bladder irritants list (Spanish)
  3. Nighttime urination strategies
Publications
  1. Unveiling the genomic landscape of possible metastatic malignant transformation of teratoma secondary to cisplatin-chemotherapy: a Tempus gene analysis-based case report literature review. Farag CM, Johnston EK, Antar RM, Issa SG, Gadiwalla Q, Tariq Z, Kim SA, Whalen MJ. Front Oncol. 2023 Jun 22;13:1192843. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1192843. PMID: 37427132 
  2. Trends of Lymph Node outcomes of partial cystectomy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Charles Klose, BA; Olivia Gordon, BA; Andrew Sparks, MS; Michael Whalen, MD. Clin Gen Cancer, 2023. 21(6): 703-709.
  3. Rare Adrenal Cavernous Hemangioma: A Case Report Highlighting Diagnostic Challenges. Ryan Michael Antar, Christian Farag, Kirolos Youssef, Vincent E Xu, Arthur Drouaud, Noah Panitch, Zoon Tariq, Ali Alzeer, Michael J Whalen. Frontiers in Surgery, 2023. 10: 1-7.
  4. Optimal size threshold for PIRADSv2 category 5 upgrade and its positive predictive value: Is it predictive of “very high” likelihood of clinically significant cancer? Vivek Batheja, Murat Osman MD, Michael Wynne, Daniel Nemirovsky, Lavanya Shukla, George Morcos, Michael Whalen, Joanna Riess, Ben Shin, Shawn Haji-Momenian (Clinical Radiology, 2024. 79(1):e94-e101)
  5. Evaluating the Baseline Hemoglobin, Albumin, Lymphocyte, and Platelet (HALP) Score in the United States Adult Population and Comorbidities: An Analysis of the NHANES Antar RM, Farag CM, Xu V, Drouaud A, Gordan O, Whalen MJ.. Front. Nutr. 2023 May; Volume 10. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1206958. 
  6. Iatrogenic rectal mass after prostate cancer treatment. James Rao, Michael Whalen, Marie Borum. (Practical Radiation Oncology, 2023 Nov-Dec; 13(6):475-476)
  7. Impact of Minimally Invasive Approach to Radical Cystectomy on Perioperative Outcomes in Patients with Preoperative Malnutrition. Cyrus P. Adams-Mardi, Andrew Sparks, Michael Whalen. Cancer and Nutrition, 2023 Apr 26;1-6.
  8. What is Hemoglobin, Albumin, Lymphocyte, Platelet (HALP) Score? A Comprehensive Literature Review of HALP's Prognostic Ability in Different Cancer Types. Christian Farag, Ryan Antar, Sinan Akosman, Matthew Ng, Michael Whalen. Oncotarget, 2023; 14: 153–172.
  9. Machine learning algorithm accuracy using single- versus multi-institutional image data in the classification of prostate MRI lesions. Destie Provenzano, Oleksiy Melnyk, Danish Imtiaz, Benjamin McSweeney, Daniel Nemirovsky, Michael Wynne, Michael Whalen, Yuan Rao, Murray Loew, Shawn Haji-Momenian.  Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(2), 1088.
  10. HALP is a Significant Biomarker Surrogate for Nutritional Status to Predict Overall Survival in Patients Post Radical Cystectomy. Christian Farag, Sinan Akosman, Jennica Luu, Shawn Haji-Momenian, Michael Whalen. Urology Practice, 2023. 10(3): 262-269.
  11. Patient Demand for Urologists in the United States: A Google Trends Analysis. Michael Wynne, Haig Pakhchanian, Rahul Raiker, Timothy Batter, Michael Whalen. Urology Practice, 2023. 10(2):155-160.
  12. Role of race and insurance status in prostate cancer diagnosis-to-treatment interval. Daniel Nemirovsky, Charles Klose, Michael Wynne, Benjamin Taber, Shawn Haji-Momenian, Michael Whalen. Clin Genitourin Cancer, 2023. 21(3):e198-e203
  13. Prostate Cancer Outcomes in Patients Living with HIV/AIDS Treated with Radiation Therapy: A Systematic Review. Tina Vaziri, Yuan Rao, Michael Whalen, Jianqing Lin, Sharad Goyal. Advances in Radiation Oncology, 2023. 8(1): 101079; PMID: 36299566
  14. Current Laser Therapy Options for Endoscopic Treatment of Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma. Ben Zollinger, Ezra Shoen, Charles Gresham, Michael Whalen. Current Urology: October 10, 2022 - Volume - Issue - 10.1097/CU9.0000000000000158 doi: 10.1097/CU9.000000000000015
  15. Impact of Variant Histology on Occult Nodal Metastasis after Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer: A Review of the National Cancer Database. Melinda Fu, Charles Klose, Andrew Sparks, Michael Whalen. Clin Genitourin Cancer, 2022. 20(2): e135-e139. PMID 34961704
  16. An integrative active surveillance of prostate cancer. Marisa Dunn, Danielle Mirda, Michael Whalen, Mikhail Kogan. Explore: The Journal of Science & Healing. Explore (NY). 2021 Apr 18:S1550-8307(21)00083-5. doi: 10.1016/j.explore.2021.04.005. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33980424.
  17. An Unusual Location for a Nonurachal Bladder Adenocarcinoma. George Khludenev, Akshay Reddy, Sinan Akosman, Michael J. Whalen, Case Reports in Urology, vol. 2021, Article ID 5827120, 6 pages, 2021.
  18. Oncologic Outcomes for Robotic Vs. Open Radical Cystectomy Among Locally Advanced and Node-Positive Patients: Analysis of the National Cancer Database,  Akshay Reddy; Andrew D Sparks; Christina Darwish; Michael J Whalen. Clin Genitourin Cancer. 2021 Jul 10:S1558-7673(21)00134-8. doi: 10.1016/j.clgc.2021.07.006. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 34344592.
  19. Recurrence and Treatment of Adult Primary Nonmetastatic Bladder Rhabdomyosarcoma: A Systematic Review. Andrew Nguyen, Scott Fassas, Nicholas Freidberg, Elaine Sollo, Michael Whalen. Urol Oncol. 2021 Jul 28:S1078-1439(21)00309-4. doi: 10.1016/j.urolonc.2021.07.008. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 34332845.
  20. Use of the T-1470 LiteTouch™ Laser in the En Bloc Resection of an Upper Tract Urothelial Cancer," Ezra Shoen, Benjamin Zollinger, Tripp Gresham, Katayoon Rezaei, Michael Whalen. Case Reports in Urology, vol. 2021, 1/27/21. (Article ID 6623326)
  21. Trends in treatment strategies and comparisons of outcomes in lymph node positive bladder cancer: An Analysis of the National Cancer Database. Christina Darwish, Andrew Sparks, Richard Amdur, Michael Whalen. Urology, 2020; 146:168-176.
  22. Applications and Outcomes in Urologic Oncology: Prostate, Kidney, and Penile Cancer. Understanding Cryotherapy, Ben Molvig (Ed.). Nova Science Publishers, Inc. New York: 2020
  23. Peri-operative Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis in Urological Surgery: Why & How? (BJUI Knowledge Online Learning Module) Michael J. Whalen, Charles Gresham, Ketan K. Badani. Revised 9/2019; originally published online 7/2017. https://app.tessello.co.uk/CourseStore/clients/BJUI/101085-Perioperativevenoust-201772512038/launch.html
  24. Trends in the use of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Bladder Cancer with Non-Urothelial and Variant Histology: An analysis of the National Cancer Database (NCDB). Campbell Grant, Andrew Sparks, Richard Amdur, Michael Whalen. Ind J Urol, 2019. 35(4):291-298
  25. Preventing Erectile Dysfunction after Radical Prostatectomy: Nerve-Sparing Techniques, Penile Rehabilitation, and Novel Regenerative Therapies. Michael Whalen. Prostatectomy, Tsvetin Genadiev, IntechOpen, November 5th 2018. DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.79398.
  26. Lymph node yield during radical prostatectomy does not impact rate of biochemical recurrence in patients with seminal vesicle invasion and node-negative disease. Badani KK, Reddy, BN, Moskowitz EJ, Paulucci DJ, Beksac AT, Martini A, Whalen MJ, Skarecky DW, Huynh LM, Ahlering TE. Urol Oncol, 2018; 36(6): 310e1-310e6.
  27. Oncologic Outcomes of Different Definitive Treatments of Prostate Cancer after a Period of Active Surveillance. Michael J. Whalen, Jamie S. Pak, Danny Lascano David Ahlborn, Justin T. Matulay, James. M. McKiernan. Clin Genitourin Cancer, 2018; 16(2): e425-35.
  28. Current evidence for active surveillance for intermediate risk prostate cancer: editorial on comparison of pathological and oncologic outcomes in "favorable risk" GS 3+4 and low risk GS6 prostate cancer by Gearman et al., Journal of Urology. Gordhan C & Whalen MJ. AME Med J, 2018; 3(55): 1-5.
  29. Does the number of lymph nodes sampled during radical prostatectomy impact risk of biochemical recurrence in patients with isolated seminal vesicle invasion? Mark Silva, Michael J. Whalen, Michael Rothberg, Edan Y. Shapiro, Trushar Patel, Ari Bergman, Arindam RoyChoudhury, James McKiernan, Mitchell C. Benson, Ketan K. Badani. ARC J Urol, 2016; 1(1): 1-7.
  30. Use of Partial Nephrectomy After Acquisition of a Surgical Robot: A Population-Based Study. Aaron C. Weinberg, Jason D. Wright, Michael J. Whalen, Solomon L. Woldu, Stephanie A. Berger, Christopher M. Deibert, Ruslan Korets, Dawn L. Hershman, Alfred I. Neugut, and Ketan K. Badani. Urol Prac, 2016; 3(6): 430-436
  31. Prospective Correlation between Probability of Favorable Pathology on the 17-gene Genomic Prostate Score and Actual Pathologic Outcomes at Radical Prostatectomy. Michael J. Whalen, James M. McKiernan, Mitchell C. Benson, and Ketan K. Badani. Urol Prac, 2016. 3:1-8
  32. Testosterone replacement therapy in men with prostate cancer. Michael J. Whalen. J Urol Res, 2016; 3(2): 1051.
  33. Pathologic Reporting of the Surgical Margin after Radical Prostatectomy: Considerations for Improving Oncologic Prognostication. Michael J. Whalen & Michael B. Rothberg. Int J Path Clin Res, 2016. 2(1): 1-7.
  34. Predictors of Biochemical Recurrence in pT3b Prostate Cancer after Radical Prostatectomy without Adjuvant Radiotherapy. Matthew J. Pagano, Michael J. Whalen, David J. Paulucci, Balaji N. Reddy, Justin T. Matulay, Michael Rothberg, Edan Y. Shapiro, Kyle Scarberry, Arindam RoyChoudhury, James McKiernan, Mitchell C. Benson, Ketan K. Badani. Prostate, 2016; 76(2): 226-34.
  35. Partial Cystectomy for Primary Bladder Tumors, in Contemporary Patients with Diverse Tumor Locations. Matthew R. Danzig, BS; Ari R. Berg, BS; Rashed A. Ghandour, MD; Danny Lascano, BS; Michael J. Whalen, MD; Mitchell C. Benson, MD; G. Joel DeCastro, MD, MPH; James M. McKiernan, MD. Urol Practice, 2016. 3(1): 55-61
  36. Utilization of the Robotic Surgical Platform for Radical Nephrectomy: A National Comparison of Trends for Open, Laparoscopic, and Robotic Approaches. Aaron C. Weinberg, Michael J. Whalen, David J. Paulucci, Solomon Woldu, Christopher M. Deibert, Ruslan Korets and Ketan K. Badani. Urol Practice, 2016; 3(3): 187-194.
  37. Analysis of the Transperitoneal Approach to Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Partial Nephrectomy for Treatment of Anterior and Posterior Renal Masses. David J. Paulucci, Michael J. Whalen, Ketan K. Badani. J Laparoendosc Adv Surg Tech A, 2015; 25(11): 880-5
  38. Close Surgical Margins after Radical Prostatectomy Mimic Biochemical Recurrence Rates of Positive Margins. Michael J. Whalen, Edan Y. Shapiro, William T. Berg, Michael B. Rothberg, Solomon L. Woldu, Arindam RoyChoudhury, Ari Bergman, Trushar Patel, Ketan K. Badani (Urol Oncol, 2015; 33:494.e9-e15.
  39. Utilization and perioperative outcomes of partial cystectomy for urothelial carcinoma of the bladder: Lessons from the ACS-NSQIP database. Michael J. Whalen, Matthew R. Danzig, Jamie S. Pak, Blake D. Alberts, Ketan K. Badani, G. Joel DeCastro, James M. McKiernan. Urol Practice, 2015; 2(3): 109-114.
  40. Lessons learned from routine intraoperative ureteral margin frozen sections during radical cystectomy. Michael J. Whalen, Jamie Lynn RiChard, Rashed Ghandour, Michael Lipsky, Michael Piecuch, Mitchell C. Benson, Alan M. Nieder, G. Joel DeCastro, James M. McKiernan. Urol Practice, 2015; 2(2): 90-95
  41. Getting More Selective about Partial Nephrectomy. Michael J. Whalen, Ardeshir R. Rastinehad, Ketan K. Badani. AUA News, 2015; 20(3): 7, 27-28.
  42. Selective arterial clamping does not improve outcomes in robot‐assisted partial nephrectomy: a propensity‐score analysis of patients without impaired renal function. David J. Paulucci Daniel C. Rosen John P. Sfakianos Michael J. Whalen Ronney Abaza Daniel D. Eun Louis S. Krane Ashok K. Hemal Ketan K. Badani. BJU Int, 2016; 119(3): 430-435.
  43. Fournier's Gangrene. Case report. Matilsky D, Lewiss R, Whalen M, Saul T. Med Ultrason, 2014; 16(3): 1-2.
  44. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy in the treatment of muscle invasive bladder cancer with mixed histology. James Lin, Michael Whalen, Dara Holder, G. Joel DeCastro, Greg Hruby, James McKiernan. Can J Urol, 2013. 20(2): 6690-5.
  45. Associated conditions of the prepuce: phimosis, concealed penis, and penile torsion. Gina M. Badalato, Marc Holden, Michael Whalen, and Grace Hyun. Chapter in Pediatric Urology Book. Wilcox, Godbole, Cooper, eds.
  46. The Effect of Race and Gender on the Surgical Management of the Small Renal Mass. Max Kates, Michael J. Whalen, Gina M. Badalato, James M. McKiernan. Urol Oncol, 6/2012

Past Articles

Articles from 2020

 

Clinical Trials

Primary objective to compare overall survival in metastatic prostate cancer patients who are randomized to standard systemic therapy (SST) plus definitive treatment of the primary tumor versus standard systemic therapy alone.

Primary Outcome Measures: Rate of Progression to Prostate Cancer (PCa) [Time Frame: 24 months]
Number of participants with clinical progression defined as a composite outcome on repeat prostate biopsy >33% of biopsy cores positive for cancer or >50% of any biopsy tissue core positive…

The study hypothesis is that BCG naïve non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) patients treated with intravesical Gemcitabine + Docetaxel (GEMDOCE) will result in a non-inferior event-free survival (EFS) compared to standard treatment with intravesical BCG. The purpose of this study is to…