Alex Zhu, D.O.
Advanced Robotic Surgery
Bladder Cancer
Kidney Cancer
Prostate Cancer
Testicular Cancer
Adrenal Cancer
Penile and Urethral Cancer
Clinical Trials
Bladder Cancer
Kidney Cancer
Prostate Cancer
Upper Urinary Tract Cancers
Assistant Clinical Professor, Division of Urology and Urologic Oncology, Department of Surgery
Alex Zhu, D.O., is a fellowship-trained urologic oncologist at City of Hope® Orange County’s Lennar Foundation Cancer Center and Seacliff locations, specializing in bladder, prostate, kidney, upper urinary tract, testicular and adrenal cancers. He has advanced expertise in robotic (single port and multiport), minimally invasive, focal therapies and open surgical techniques.
Dr. Zhu completed his urology residency at the University of Michigan and his Society of Urologic Oncology fellowship at the University of Washington/Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, where he received advanced training in the treatment of urologic cancers.
Dr. Zhu believes exceptional cancer care requires technical excellence and a deep understanding of the person behind the diagnosis. He prioritizes clear communication, shared decision-making and compassionate, evidence-based care. He considers it a privilege to guide patients through some of life’s most difficult decisions and is committed to providing the same thoughtful care he would want for his own family.
An active clinical researcher, Dr. Zhu has led and collaborated on clinical trials in bladder, kidney and prostate cancers. In recognition of his work, Dr. Zhu was selected as the SWOG Nicholas Vogelzang Scholar and received the BCAN Young Investigator Award. Dr. Zhu is passionate about research because it allows him to bring innovative treatments and the latest advances in cancer care to his patients.
Location
Orange County Lennar Foundation Cancer Center
Irvine, CA 92618
Seacliff
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
Education & Experience
Degrees
2019, D.O. Osteopathic Medicine, Des Moines University, Des Moines, IA
2011, B.S. Integrated Biology and Physiology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
Fellowship
2024-2026, Society of Urologic Oncology Fellowship, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Residency
2019-2024, Urology Residency, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Professional Experience
- 2026-Present, Assistant Clinical Professor, City of Hope Orange County, Irvine and Huntington Beach, CA
- 2013-2015, Medical Device Clinical Sales Representative, Boston Scientific, Los Angeles, CA
- 2011-2013, Scrub Technologist and Medical Assistant, Beverly Hills Vascular Access Center, Beverly Hills, CA
Awards & Memberships
Awards
2026, Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network Young Investigator Award
2026, Society of Urologic Oncology Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer Fellows Grant
2026, First place, University of Washington Research Day, Karl K. Hirschler Award
2025, One of the “Top 30 Abstracts” and featured in the “SUO Top Abstract Tour” for SUO 2025 Meeting
2025, First place, University of Washington Research Day, Karl K. Hirschler Award
2025, Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network (BCAN) John Quale Fellow
2025, Prostate Cancer Foundation, Genitourinary Oncology Early Career Thought Leader
2024, Khaled Hafez Teaching Award, University of Michigan Urology
2024, First place, University of Michigan Resident Research Day 2024
2024, One of the “Top Abstracts of AUA 2024”
2023, Resident of the Year, Trinity Health
2024, “Featured Abstract” for AUA 2023 Press Program
2022, “Most Impactful Article of 2022”, Journal of Urology
2022, Front Cover and Featured Article, Journal of Urology, December 2022 issue
2022, First place, University of Michigan Innovative Design in Biomedical Engineering Course 599
2022, Third place, University of Michigan Resident Research Day 2022
2021, First place, Male Incontinence and Sexual Dysfunction Podium Session at North Central Section AUA Meeting
2021, Making-A-Difference-Award, Michigan Medicine
2019, Making-A-Difference-Award, Michigan Medicine
2019, Gold Humanism Honor Society
2017, National Student Researcher of the Year, American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM)
Publications
- Mantz L*, Zhu A*, Mercaldo N, Marquardt P, Jannat S, Brewer E, Psutka S^, Fintelman F^. Novel Use of Computed Tomography-Derived Body Composition Metrics to Facilitate Risk Assessment in Patients with Bladder Cancer. Urol Oncol. 2026 [*co-first author, ^ co-senior author)
- Monda S, Else T, Zhu A, Kaffenberger S, Humble R, Reichert Z, Morgan T, Chandrasekar T, Dominguez-Valentin M, Stoffel E, Singhal U. Germline Testing in Urothelial Cancer – A Narrative Review of Evidence, Guidelines and Testing Framework. Urol Oncol. 2026 PMID: 42521559
- Zhu A, Singh Z, Wright J, Holt S, Schade G, Singh T, VoPham T. Impact of Low Levels of Arsenic in Drinking Water with Incident Urologic Cancers in Washington State. Journal of Hazardous Materials. 2026. PMID 42330911
- Martin S, Zhu A, Editorial Comment: “Smoking is Associated with Poorer Survival Outcomes Following Nephroureterectomy for Upper Tract Urothelial Cancer. Urology. 2026. PMID 40976270
- Zhu A, Krischak M, Kaffenberger S. Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma: Update of Guidelines and Review of New and Emerging Technologies. AUA Update Series. 2025
- Zhu A, Sher J, Li R, Ioseliani O, Cantor L, Brewer E, Landis K, Bridges D, Munson S, Hunter H, Lin C, Psutka S. What Motivates Bladder Cancer Patients to Exercise? A Qualitative Study Assessing Attitudes towards Exercise and Digital Health Technologies. Urol Oncol. 2025 PMID: 40441948
- Quinn C, Lerma A, Zhu A, Monnat R, Chung M, Wright J, Lockwood C, Tretiakova M. Pilot study: Urine Cell-Free DNA with Low Pass Whole Genome Sequencing can Detect and Molecularly Type Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinomas. American Journal of Clinical Pathology. 2025 PMID: 39923187
- Zhu A, Psutka S. Editorial Comment: Comparing Frailty Indices for Risk Stratification in Urologic Oncology: Which Index to Choose? How Should We Measure Frailty? More Importantly, Is that Enough. Urology. 2024 PMID: 39395448
- Zhu A, Nam C, Gingrich D, Patel N, Black K, Telang J, Daignault-Newton S, Quallich S, Dupree J, Ohl D, Hadj-Moussa M. Changes in Vasectomy Consult and Procedures Following Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. Urology Practice. 2024 PMID: 38315830
- Zhu A, Dhir A, Montgomery J. Prehabilitation Exercise Interventions - Everything or Nothing: Supervised High-intensity Exercise is the Only Way to Achieve Meaningful Results. European Urology Focus. 2023 PMID: 37884403