Vitaly Margulis, M.D.

Vitaly Margulis, M.D.

  • Paul C. Peters, M.D., Chair in Urology
  • Urology
  • Genitourinary Cancer
  • Kidney Cancer

Biography

Vitaly Margulis, M.D., Professor of Urology at UT Southwestern Medical Center, graduated with honors from the University of Texas at Austin and UT Southwestern Medical School. He trained in the highly competitive urology residency program at UT Southwestern and completed a fellowship in urologic oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, where he was previously a Clinical Specialist in Urologic Oncology. He joined the UT Southwestern faculty in 2009.

An expert surgeon, Dr. Margulis uses minimally invasive techniques to treat patients with soft-tissue tumors and kidney, prostate, bladder, testicular, penile, and adrenal cancers. His research projects include clinical and lab research focused on the biology of kidney cancer, the genetic changes that occur and cause it to spread, and how to stop it. 

Dr. Margulis travels frequently to lecture on urologic care and procedures. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member of the Society of Urologic Oncology, Endourologic Society, American Urological Association, American Medical Association, Texas Medical Association, Texas Urologic Association, Dallas County Medical Society, and Harris County Medical Society.

He has authored several book chapters and published research in a variety of medical journals, including the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Journal of Clinical Oncology, Urologic Oncology, Clinical Cancer Research, Oncogene, Cancer, Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention, Urology, Journal of Urology, and British Journal of Urology. He also serves as a reviewer for those publications.

Dr. Margulis has been included in D Magazine's Best Doctors list as well as Texas Monthly's Super Doctors list.

Personal Note

Dr. Margulis spent his childhood in Russia and Italy. He enjoys literature, music, traveling, and spending time with his wife and daughter. He’s also an avid scuba diver and likes exploring the depths of the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

Meet Dr. Margulis

Vitaly Margulis, M.D., believes in working smarter, not harder, and he applies that philosophy to cancer care.

"UT Southwestern is on the leading edge of surgical expertise, and our multidisciplinary care translates into better outcomes."

“I know my patients want to get on with their lives, so I strive for maximum results with minimal treatment,” he says. “I’m always looking for ways to make surgery smarter or achieve the same result with, for example, four cycles of chemotherapy rather than 10.”

A Professor of Urology at UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dr. Margulis uses robotics, laparoscopy, focal therapy, and open surgical techniques to treat soft-tissue tumors and kidney, prostate, bladder, testicular, penile, and adrenal cancers. His primary interest, however, is kidney cancer, and he is studying the genetic changes of the disease, what causes it to spread, and how to stop it.

Dr. Margulis considers himself a shepherd who merely guides and gives medical advice. Patients, he says, have the most important role on his team. He believes they respond better to treatment when they are part of the equation.

He also treats each patient as an individual and views his or her cancer as a separate entity.

“Personalized cancer management is what patients are looking for,” he says. “This is the future of medicine, which we try to deliver now.”

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Education & Training
  • Residency - UT Southwestern Medical Center (2002-2006), Urology
  • Internship - UT Southwestern Medical Center (2001-2002), General Surgery
  • Medical School - UT Southwestern Medical School
  • Fellowship - UT MD Anderson Cancer Center (2006-2009), Urologic Oncology
Professional Associations & Affiliations
  • Society of Urologic Oncology
  • Endourologic Society
  • American Urological Association
  • American Society of Clinical Oncology
  • American Association for Cancer Research
  • American College of Surgeons
  • American Medical Association
  • Texas Medical Association
  • Dallas County Medical Society
  • Harris County Medical Society
Honors & Awards
  • D Magazine Best Doctor 2020-2022
  • Detection of Invasive Renal Cell Carcinoma with Targeted SPA0003043 2019, American Urological Association
  • Best Doctors in America 2017, Best Doctors Polling and Research (Peer Selected)
  • American Urological Association / Japanese Urologic Association Academic Exchange Scholar 2012, American Urological Association
  • NIH Clinical Research Scientist LRP Award 2009, National Institute of Health
  • Merit Award 2008, American Society of Clinical Oncology
  • National Institute of Health Clinical Research Scientist LRP Award 2007, NIH
  • Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award 2006, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
  • American Urological Association Foundation Research Scholar Award 2006, AFUD/AUA
  • Alpha Omega Alpha 2001, UT Southwestern Medical School
Books & Publications
Research
  • Molecular biology involved in renal cell cancer tumorigenesis
  • Metastatic progression and resistance to targeted therapies

Clinical Focus

  • Genitourinary Cancer
  • Kidney Cancer
  • Male Urology
  • Prostate Cancer
  • Testicular Cancer
  • Surgery for Genitourinary Cancer
  • Genitourinary Surgery

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Q&A by Dr. Margulis

Results: 1 Locations