Andrea Axtell, MD, MPH

Andrea Axtell, MD, MPH is a UW Health thoracic (chest) surgeon. She’s also an assistant professor in the Department of Surgery at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.

Dr. Axtell treats people with lung cancer, esophageal cancer and other disorders of the esophagus, the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach. She also treats noncancerous lung nodules (growths) and other medical issues within the chest.

Whenever possible, Dr. Axtell uses minimally invasive surgical techniques. These procedures involve smaller incisions, less pain and faster recovery times. She also uses advanced robotic tools to both diagnose and treat certain lung cancers at the same time.

When talking with a patient, Dr. Axtell carefully explains their diagnosis and outlines treatment options. She listens to each person’s concerns with compassion and answers their questions. Together, they work to create the most effective care plan.

To improve care and offer hope, Dr. Axtell researches the most effective ways to diagnose and treat cancer. She’s also helping to build a lung cancer screening program that will allow doctors to detect cancer in its earliest stages.

During her free time, Dr. Axtell enjoys swimming and scuba diving around the world.

I work to help patients survive their cancer and return to a life they enjoy. We’re in this together.