Dr. Prakash K. Pandalai

Get to Know Dr. Prakash Pandalai

Dr. Prakash Pandalai is a surgical oncologist at the Markey Cancer Center who specializes in peritoneal surface cancers, including peritoneal mesothelioma. He came to the University of Kentucky with nearly a decade of experience treating complex gastrointestinal malignancies. 

He also serves as program director of the Complex Surgical Oncology Fellowship at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, where he helps train the next generation of surgical oncologists. Dr. Pandalai also serves as co-vice chair of Professionalism, Integrity and Mentorship, reflecting his commitment to shaping the clinical and ethical standards of his field. He brings together surgical expertise, clinical research experience and a multidisciplinary approach to caring for people diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma. 

Specialties of Dr. Prakash Pandalai

• Clinical research
• Cytoreductive surgery
• Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy
• Peritoneal mesothelioma
• Robotic surgery

Medical Education and Experience 

• Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky (Surgical Oncologist, Associate Professor of Surgery)
• National Cancer Institute (Staff Surgeon and Principal Investigator)
• Brigham and Women’s Hospital & Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School (Fellowship)
• University of Cincinnati Medical Center (Residency)
• Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine (M.D.)
• University of Michigan (B.S., Biology)

Awards and Certifications

• American Board of Surgery
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support
• Advanced Trauma Life Support Instructor
• Advanced Trauma Support
• Basic Life Support

Why Choose Dr. Prakash Pandalai for Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Before joining Markey Cancer Center, an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dr. Pandalai served as a staff surgeon at the National Cancer Institute. He worked as a principal investigator on clinical trials and gained extensive experience with novel therapies and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy, or HIPEC. This 2-part approach first removes all visible tumors and then delivers heated chemo directly into the abdominal cavity to destroy any remaining cancer cells.

Dr. Pandalai also served in the U.S. Army Reserve with Forward Surgical Teams in both Afghanistan and Iraq. He continues to serve veterans at the Lexington VA Medical Center.

His research on peritoneal mesothelioma includes co-authorship of a frequently cited study, A Novel Nomogram for Peritoneal Mesothelioma Predicts Survival, published in the Annals of Surgical Oncology. Markey Cancer Center also has more open clinical trials than any other cancer center in the region, giving patients access to emerging treatment options beyond standard care.

Publications of Dr. Prakash Pandalai

• Pandalai, P. et al. (2026, January 25). Case Report: Prolonged response to cabozantinib and pembrolizumab in treatment-refractory metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Retrieved from https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/oncology/articles/10.3389/fonc.2026.1675133/full
• Pandalai, P. et al. (2025, May 28). Therapeutic applications of a novel humanized monoclonal antibody targeting chemokine receptor CCR9 in pancreatic cancer. Retrieved from https://febs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/1878-0261.70062
• Pandalai, P. et al. (2024, August 12). Development of a Novel Protocol for Germline Testing in Pancreatic Cancer. Retrieved from https://link.springer.com/article/10.1245/s10434-024-16011-3
• Pandalai, P. et al. (2023, November 25). Phase I Safety and Feasibility Pilot of Hepatic Artery Infusion Chemotherapy in a Rural Catchment Area Using The Codman Vascular Catheter with The Medtronic SynchroMed II Pump for Intrahepatic Cancers. Retrieved from https://link.springer.com/article/10.1245/s10434-023-14519-8
• Pandalai, P. et al. (2012, December 12). A Novel Nomogram for Peritoneal Mesothelioma Predicts Survival. Retrieved from https://link.springer.com/article/10.1245/s10434-012-2651-5