Michelle Mierzwa, MD
Associate Chair
Department of Radiation Oncology
Clinical Professor of Radiation Oncology
Service Chief
FGP Operations
Radiation Oncology
1500 E Medical Center Dr
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
[email protected]

Available to mentor

Michelle Mierzwa, MD
Clinical Professor
  • About
  • Links
  • Qualifications
  • Center Memberships
  • Research Overview
  • Recent Publications
  • About

    Dr. Mierzwa has 13 years of clinical experience in treatment of head and neck cancer. Her clinical research interests have included novel chemoradiation regimens for head and neck cancers, as well as imaging markers and biomarkers of tumor response to radiation and toxicity. Specifically, she collaborates with the Departments of Otolaryngology and Medical Oncology to develop clinical trials to identify for oropharynx cancer patients who may be eligible for de-escalation of chemoradiation or may require intensified therapy. She is also the PI of an ongoing novel oropharynx cancer surveillance and survivorship protocol.

    Links
    • RadOnc Bio
    Qualifications
    • Residency
      University of Cincinnati, Division of Radiology, 2008
    • Internship
      Christ Hospital, Internal Medicine, 2004
    • MD
      University of Cincinnati - College of Medicine, 231 Albert Sabin Way, 2003
    • MS
      Vanderbilt Universtiy, 2201 West End Ave, 1999
    • BS
      Vanderbilt University, Nashville, 1997
    Center Memberships
    • Center Member
      Rogel Cancer Center
    Research Overview

    - Advanced imaging techniques and imaging markers of response to radiotherapy in head and neck cancer
    - Development of prognostic and predictive biomarkers in head and neck cancer
    - Outcome modelling for tumor control and toxicity in head and neck cancer treated with radiotherapy Clinical trial development to de-escalate radiotherapy in oropharynx cancer
    - Clinical trial development using imaging markers to improve tumor control in high-risk head and neck cancer treated with radiotherapy
    - Head and neck cancer

    Recent Publications See All Publications
    • Journal Article
      Follow-up for human papillomavirus-related oropharynx cancer concentrated on unequal symptom change (FOCUS): Prospective patient-reported outcome collection.
      Edwards DM, Gharzai LA, Wang W, Mayo C, Suresh K, Schipper M, Evans JR, Malloy K, Chinn SB, Prince M, Spector M, Shuman A, Stucken C, Swiecicki PL, Worden F, Jarema J, Henderson C, Kovach A, Brenner C, Shah JL, Mierzwa ML, Casper K. Head Neck, 2024 Nov; 46 (11): 2687 - 2698. DOI:10.1002/hed.27778
      PMID: 38680087
    • Journal Article
      Quantifying the Risk of Technology-Driven Health Disparities in Radiation Oncology.
      Moncion A, Bryant AK, Cardenas CE, Dess KJ, Ditman MN, Mayo CS, Mierzwa ML, Paradis KC, Stanley DN, Covington EL. Pract Radiat Oncol, 2024 14 (6): e522 - e529. DOI:10.1016/j.prro.2024.06.009
      PMID: 38992491
    • Proceeding / Abstract / Poster
      Application of Standardized Tissue Repair Discount Factors to Guide Spinal Cord Dose in Reirradiation
      Nieto JD, Chang DT, Paradis KC, DuRussel E, Matuszak MM, Rosen BS, Prisciandaro JI, Matrosic C, Kashani R, Evans JR, Jackson WC, Lawrence TS, Jolly S, Mierzwa ML, Mayo C. International Journal of Radiation Oncology • Biology • Physics, 2024 Oct; 120 (2): e171 DOI:10.1016/j.ijrobp.2024.07.385
    • Proceeding / Abstract / Poster
      Imaging Metrics and HPV ctDNA Kinetics in a Phase II Immuno-Chemoradiation Trial for Locoregionally Advanced p16+ Oropharynx Cancer
      Regan SN, Aryal MP, Suresh K, Rosen BS, Walline H, Prince ME, Malloy K, Casper K, Shuman A, Chinn SB, Heft-Neal ME, Swiecicki PL, Worden F, Shah JL, Cao Y, Brenner C, Mierzwa ML. International Journal of Radiation Oncology • Biology • Physics, 2024 Oct; 120 (2): s131 DOI:10.1016/j.ijrobp.2024.07.238
    • Proceeding / Abstract / Poster
      Novel Statistical-AI Method to Automate Discovery of Predictive Factors and Thresholds for 3 Year Survival, Dysphagia and Xerostomia for Patients with Head and Neck Cancers
      Mayo C, Su S, Rosen BS, Covington E, Zhang Z, Lawrence TS, Fuller CD, Brock KK, Shah JL, Mierzwa ML. International Journal of Radiation Oncology • Biology • Physics, 2024 Oct; 120 (2): s41 - s42. DOI:10.1016/j.ijrobp.2024.07.062
    • Journal Article
      Relationship between Cannabis Use and Opioid Use in Patients with Cancer Metastatic to Bone in a Large Multicenter Cohort from a State with Legalized Adult Non-Medical Cannabis
      Cousins MM, Dykstra MP, Griffith K, Mietzel M, Kendrick D, Trumpower E, Dusseau D, Dominello MM, Mierzwa ML, Covington E, Pierce LJ, Hayman JA. International Journal of Radiation Oncology • Biology • Physics, 2024 Oct; 120 (2): s28 DOI:10.1016/j.ijrobp.2024.07.035
    • Journal Article
      Utility of bioselection with neoadjuvant chemotherapy for organ preservation in patients with T4 laryngeal cancer.
      Benjamin WJ, Feng AL, Heft Neal M, Bellile E, Casper KA, Malloy KM, Rosko AJ, Stucken CL, Prince ME, Mierzwa ML, Taylor JMG, Eisbruch A, Spector ME, Wolf GT, Swiecicki PL, Worden FP, Chinn SB. Oral Oncol, 2024 Sep; 156: 106917 DOI:10.1016/j.oraloncology.2024.106917
      PMID: 38945011
    • Journal Article
      Validity of a single-item indicator of treatment side effect bother in patients with head and neck cancer.
      Gharzai LA, Mierzwa ML, Stepan KO, Cella D, Peipert JD. Support Care Cancer, 2024 Aug 6; 32 (9): 575 DOI:10.1007/s00520-024-08775-x
      PMID: 39107440