Maya Dimitrova, MD

Medicine runs in my family: my parents are internists, and my grandparents were doctors too. When I was growing up, I was impressed by the knowledge my parents used to help their patients, as well as their long-lasting relationships with them.

Scientific breakthroughs have turned some types of cancer into manageable chronic diseases. I decided to pursue oncology because I wanted to support people who have these conditions and provide them with the best possible care.

At NYU Langone’s Perlmutter Cancer Center, I specialize in treating people who have melanoma, as well as those who have breast, colon, lung, and genitourinary cancer. To provide personalized care, I perform genetic and molecular tumor profiling, which involves testing a tumor to identify its unique characteristics and determine the best treatment. I prescribe a combination of targeted drugs and immunotherapy, which may be more effective than chemotherapy and cause fewer side effects.

My goal is to ensure patients have access to the latest cancer treatments. I am involved in research to determine which combinations of medications are most effective and predict which patients will respond best to them. To ensure the most comprehensive care, I offer my patients access to a multidisciplinary team that includes social workers, dietitians, psychologists, and psychiatrists.

It is important to build trust with patients, so I strive to get to know them and provide the kind of care I would like to receive. When communicating with patients, I am honest and open. I explain a person’s prognosis, treatment side effects, and what they can and cannot expect from treatment. In addition, I never assume I know what a patient wants. I explain all treatment options and we agree on a therapy plan together.

It is rewarding when I can alleviate a patient’s anxiety and fear about their diagnosis. I want to give them hope, because there is a lot my colleagues and I can do to help.