From a determined young woman in Montana who always knew she wanted to be a doctor, Dr. Kelly K. Hunt has emerged as one of the most influential figures in breast surgical oncology, transforming patient care and surgical education at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Since joining MD Anderson in 1996, Hunt has pioneered innovative surgical techniques while building one of the nation's premier breast cancer surgery programs. Under her leadership as department chair, the breast surgical oncology division has grown from just 5 surgeons to a team of 30 specialists.
"Kelly's commitment to gender balance and diversity has changed the face of the surgical breast oncology workforce," notes Dr. Lisa Newman, surgical oncologist at Weill Cornell Medicine and adjunct professor at MD Anderson. "Because of her compassion and brilliance, she is adored by patients, colleagues, and trainees alike."
Revolutionizing Surgical Techniques Through Clinical Research
Hunt's most significant contributions stem from her groundbreaking work on sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy procedures. Building on her early training with Dr. Donald Morton at UCLA, she developed new techniques for performing SLN biopsies in breast cancer patients who had received chemotherapy.
This research culminated in the pivotal ACOSOG-Z1071 clinical trial, which demonstrated that SLN biopsy could safely replace complete axillary node dissection in many cases, significantly reducing complications like lymphedema. The trial showed successful sentinel node detection in 92.7% of patients when using a combined blue dye and radioactive tracer approach.
"We were able to deescalate the extent of surgery for patients while still capturing important information but having less morbidity, lymphedema, and problems with range of motion in the arm," Hunt explains.
Building a Legacy Through Mentorship
Hunt's impact extends far beyond the operating room. She has helped train 72 fellows through MD Anderson's Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship Program since 2002, while fostering long-term research collaborations that span decades.
Her 20-year partnership with Dr. Khandan Keyomarsi studying cell cycle deregulation in breast cancer exemplifies her commitment to translational research. Together with scientist Dr. Hannah Wingate, who progressed from graduate student to key laboratory leader, the team continues pushing boundaries in cancer research.
"It's an incredible joy to see these individuals come in and be so dedicated toward breast cancer care," Hunt shares. "Every time I go to a national meeting and I get to see all these people thriving and doing incredible work, it's exciting."
Setting New Standards for Surgical Care
Hunt has played a pivotal role in establishing national standards for cancer surgery through her work with the American College of Surgeons Cancer Surgery Standards Program. She helped create clear, practical guidelines when several major cancer research groups merged to form the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology.
"We were trying to get away from asking 'What's your preference in this type of procedure?' to 'What are those critical elements?'" Hunt explains. This systematic approach has helped standardize surgical techniques across institutions.
Looking to the Future
Now focused on advancing precision surgery, Hunt is investigating fluorescence imaging techniques to better identify cancer margins during operations. Her motto - "precision matters" - continues to guide both her surgical practice and her broader vision for the field.
Dr. Mediget Teshome, chief of breast surgery at UCLA Health, summarizes Hunt's lasting influence: "Despite being, truly, a giant among us, Dr. Hunt treats every person she encounters with respect, dignity, and care. She is an incredible person and the epitome of excellence in surgical oncology, serving as a gold standard for many of us."
