Meet Dr. Muhammad Beg
Medical Oncologist and GI Cancer Specialist

In the fight against gastrointestinal cancers, Muhammad Shaalan Beg, M.D., is leading the charge.

I spend a lot time trying to understand what my patients’ needs and expectations are and what they want me to help them achieve. Is it to continue being able to work their current job, keep playing the piano, or attend a grandchild’s graduation party? I need to understand where my patient is coming from.”

As a medical oncologist at UT Southwestern Medical Center’s Simmons Cancer Center, Dr. Beg treats patients with esophageal, gastric, colorectal, pancreatic, liver, and anal cancer as well as rare cancers such as neuroendocrine tumors and gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). He is also Assistant Professor of Hematology and Medical Oncology.

Dr. Beg’s clinical research is geared toward evaluating drugs that are currently available in drug stores, and evaluating their role in treating cancer. In one such study, he is working on a drug to treat cancer-related weight loss, cachexia, to help cancer patients gain weight.  

He is also developing a new way to evaluate and treat patients with peritoneal disease, cancer that has spread into the abdominal cavity. He believes that GI cancers are best treated by a group of doctors, such as his colleagues at the multidisciplinary clinic at Simmons Cancer Center, where he is on the Gastrointestinal Cancers Disease Oriented Team.

GI cancer patients are a very special and diverse group with specific needs, so Dr. Beg spends a lot of time getting to know his patients to assess their needs and expectations for cancer care. He believes in offering the best, personalized care available, which includes cutting-edge medical care, clinical trials, and innovations in surgery.

Clinical Interests/Specialties 

• Developmental therapeutics
  • New or latest cancer treatments
• Gastrointestinal cancer
• Colorectal cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• Liver cancer
• Bile duct cancer
• Stomach cancer
• Esophageal cancer
• Anal cancer