Kirk J. Wangensteen, M.D., Ph.D.

Kirk J. Wangensteen, M.D., Ph.D., is a gastroenterologist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He cares for people in need of expert evaluation and treatment for digestive tract neoplasia, hereditary cancer syndromes, and gastrointestinal cancer risk. Dr. Wangensteen directs the Gastrointestinal Neoplasia Clinic and serves as Co-director of the Mayo Clinic Advanced Fellowship Training Program in Gastrointestinal Neoplasia. He partners with patients to reduce cancer risk through genetic evaluation, cancer prevention strategies, and multidisciplinary care, drawing on his extensive clinical and research background in gastrointestinal oncology and molecular biology.

Dr. Wangensteen has expertise in managing individuals with Lynch syndrome, Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP), and hereditary diffuse gastric cancer syndrome. His clinical practice also focuses on the diagnosis and early management of colon and rectal cancer, gastric and small intestinal cancer, gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), and neuroendocrine tumors.

Areas of expertise

Dr. Wangensteen provides integrated, patient-centered care with a focus on early detection and cancer prevention. His areas of expertise include:

• Gastrointestinal neoplasia: Comprehensive care for digestive tract neoplasia and cancer prevention strategies
• Hereditary cancer syndromes: Genetic evaluation and management for increased gastrointestinal cancer risk, including Lynch syndrome, FAP, and hereditary diffuse gastric cancer syndrome
• Endoscopic cancer surveillance: Implementation of intensified screening to detect early gastrointestinal cancers
• Cancer risk reduction: Personalized strategies for individuals with inherited or high-risk gastrointestinal conditions
• Early cancer management: Diagnosis and initial care for colon and rectal cancer, gastric and small intestinal cancer, GIST, and neuroendocrine tumors

Research and expertise

Dr. Wangensteen's research centers on understanding genetic and molecular mechanisms that drive gastrointestinal disease, including hepatocellular carcinoma, liver regeneration, and inherited cancer risk. His laboratory studies how genetic pathways regulate hepatocyte proliferation, identity, and plasticity during injury and regeneration, as well as mutation-driven tumor initiation and therapeutic resistance. These efforts aim to introduce new strategies for cancer prevention and therapeutic innovation. He maintains board certification in internal medicine and gastroenterology and serves as Assistant Chair for Research in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Mayo Clinic.

Outside of work, Dr. Wangensteen enjoys traveling for professional collaborations and conferences. When away from the clinic and laboratory, he likes cycling and running, with a special interest in gravel and mountain biking.