Shaalan Beg, M.D.

Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center

Dedman Family Scholar in Clinical Care

Internal Medicine - Hematology/Oncology
Medical Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic Cancer

Biography

Muhammad Shaalan Beg, M.D., has a lot of irons in the fire at UT Southwestern Medical Center. And his patients are the driving force behind everything he does here.

As a medical oncologist, Dr. Beg treats patients with pancreatic, liver, colon, and stomach cancer. He is an Assistant Professor of Hematology and Medical Oncology and is Medical Director of the Clinical Research Office.

Dr. Beg conducts trials for new cancer treatments and co-leads the Gastrointestinal Cancers Disease Oriented Team at Simmons Cancer Center. He’s currently working on a drug that will help pancreatic cancer patients gain weight, and leads clinical trials which readily bring discoveries from the lab into the clinic.

He is also studying a drug that has been used for decades to treat infections and has now been found to have strong anti-cancer properties. In addition, one of his studies will determine if there are disparities in health care delivery based on a cancer patient’s race or ethnicity.

Some of his past research includes studies on cancer among military veterans. He has lectured frequently at conferences sponsored by the American Association for Clinical Research and the American Society for Radiation Oncology.

Prior to joining joined UT Southwestern in 2011, Dr. Beg attended medical school at Aga Khan University in Karachi, Pakistan, where he graduated with honors. He completed his residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in hematology/oncology at the University of Cincinnati.

Dr. Beg is a member of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) GI Steering Committee’s Pancreatic Cancer Task Force, and leads the ECOG-ACRIN GI Committee’s Pancreatic-Hepatobiliary Working Group.

Dr. Beg is board certified in hematology and medical oncology, and he is a member of the American Association for Cancer Research and the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

His research has been featured in national and international cancer meetings, and he has published articles in many peer-reviewed medical publications. He is also a reviewer for multiple oncology journals.

Dr. Beg was included in D Magazine's Best Doctors list for 2018, and was named a Texas Monthly Super Doctor in 2018.

Personal Note

When he’s not working, Dr. Beg spends quality time with his wife and their two children. He also enjoys traveling and exploring the outdoors.

Meet Dr. Beg

Medical Oncologist and GI Cancer Specialist

In the fight against gastrointestinal cancers, Muhammad Shaalan Beg, M.D., is leading the charge.

"I spend a lot of time trying to understand what my patients' needs and expectations are, and what they want me to help them achieve. Is it to continue being able to work their current job, keep playing the piano, or attend a grandchild's graduation party? I need to understand where my patient is coming from."

As a medical oncologist at UT Southwestern Medical Center’s Simmons Cancer Center, Dr. Beg treats patients with pancreatic, liver, colorectal, and stomach cancer, as well as rare cancers such as neuroendocrine tumors and gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). He is also Assistant Professor of Hematology and Medical Oncology and is co-Leader of the Gastrointestinal Cancer Multidisciplinary team.

Dr. Beg is very active in clinical research including leading clinical trials at the Simmons Cancer Center, where he is bringing promising basic science discoveries from the lab to the clinic to better care for his patients.

He believes that GI cancers are best treated by a group of doctors. GI cancer patients are a very special and diverse group with specific needs, so Dr. Beg spends a lot of time getting to know his patients to assess their needs and expectations for cancer care. He believes in offering the best, personalized care available, which includes cutting-edge medical care, clinical trials, and innovations in surgery.

“We need to provide patients with more opportunities, and the best way to do that is through clinical trials,” Dr. Beg says. “My goal is to bring ideas from the lab and see how we can apply that to the clinic. We always think of clinical trials as something we are investing our time and money in, but if it’s not helping the patient, it’s not really a benefit at all.”

Education & Training

Fellowship - University of Cincinnati (2008-2011), Hematology Oncology
Residency - University of Cincinnati College of Medicine (2005-2008), Internal Medicine
Medical School - Aga Khan Univ, Pakistan (1998-2003)