Dr. Mike Chen, MD

I am a 65 year old male who fractured his L4 vertebrae in 2024 as a result of bone loss from chemotherapy and steroids administered as part of a stem cell transplant at City of Hope (Duarte, CA) in order to cure a case of AML leukemia. The transplant was successful, and the care at City of Hope was fantastic. But I was left with a fracture in need of repair.Dr. Chen worked with me for several months in order to get me ready for surgery to repair my back. His care was meticulous, the surgery was successful, and the follow up care, both in patient & out patient, has been excellent. I'm about a month post surgery, and healing nicely, with very little pain. Dr. Chen answered all my questions before surgery, and ordered biopsies and MRIs before & after to gather as much information as possible, and verify I was ready for surgery and remained cancer free after.I feel lucky to have found Dr. Chen. I felt very confident in his care. I would recommend him highly to anyone in my situation.

I have been under Dr Chen’s care at City of Hope to monitor my spine & cancer in my back since January 2022 (after having emergency spine surgery in late 2021 with Kaiser to remove a large metastatic tumor). I am so glad to have been able to switch to care under City of Hope where doctors like Dr Chen are experienced cancer doctors. Dr Chen’s extensive knowledge & experience is evident inspiring lots of confidence. Recently, Dr Chen performed my 2nd spine surgery to remove a treatment-resistant tumor which had grown. It was a tricky surgery (as most spine surgeries are) but this tumor was situated against my aorta making the procedure particularly difficult & risky, but Dr Chen was able to remove the tumor successfully with no impact to the aorta. I will note that Dr Chen’s bedside manner may rub some the wrong way. He does not mince words & is very direct when discussing your health. Personally, I appreciate this in a doctor as I feel I’m getting the facts devoid of euphemisms.

Dr. Mike Chen is the best of the best and is a highly respected doctor. I recently had my surgery at City of Hope with Dr. Chen. I’m now free of any nerve pain and walking after being wheelchair bound for many months. Dr. Chen gave me my mobility back! I highly recommend Dr. Mike Chen Neurosurgeon at City of Hope!

I have met with Dr. Mike Chen a few times over the past year in person and via video. I was referred to him because I had a fracture in my spine due to stage 4 cancer. Dr. Chen advised me on what procedure he recommended, but i was nervous because I was listening to the experiences of others. I kept bouncing between doing a Kaphoplasty or doing full back surgery. I waited too long. The pain became extreme, making it painful to walk even using a walker. In June 2024 Dr. Chen preformed a Lumbar Laminectomy and a L2-L4 Fushion. The next day I was amazed by how good I felt. The pain from the surgery didn't compare to the pain I had been struggling with. It has been 6 weeks post surgery. I am standing up staight, walking around and getting my life back. I am SO SO GRATEFUL Dr. Chen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dr Chen came to visit me at a nearby hospital after my cancer diagnosis in January 2024 I was scared nervous and confused. All I needed to see was another doctor at that point .He introduced himself in a professional yet somehow comforting tone. After his introduction I still was mad about having cancer and shouted I can't fight anymore I think I threw him off but what J was looking for was revealed by Dr Chen doing what I really was looking to hear from this man Confidence! By the time he finished speaking to me he did not know the hope he gave my broken soul. I knew this Doctor could help me fight this tumor wrapped around my vertebrae L3 The surgery was a success after Dr Chen spent 9 Hours working to help save my life You want a doctor you can trust a clear spoken doctor who explains everything to you and he always takes time for any questions you have on your malady I cried the day after surgery when I found out how much overall intelligence and expertis Chen put into my surgery.

Dr. Chen is very good neurosurgeon. I had brain surgery and it all went well.God used him as a tool.

Dr Chen operated my back L2/L3. Amazing surgeon. I was walking4 days after surgery, spent a week in in-house rehab. released from hospital 11 days after surgery to home .No pain, no pain pills.

Dr Chen has performed 3 surgeries on my spine. You couldn’t ask for a more caring and intelligent Dr! He is absolutely wonderful!!

Dr. Chen performed a posterior Corpectomy of C2 with a spinal fusion from C1 to C4 on my mom two months ago and we couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome. She was in excruciating pain and could barely walk prior to her surgery. Honestly, I was extremely anxious and worried about the procedure, but after our first consult, I was confident that everything was going to be okay. Dr. Chen explained every aspect of the surgery so we knew exactly what to expect and most importantly what I needed to do to help in her recovery. In just two weeks post-op she could walk without any problems and was pain-free! Within a month, she was back to her everyday activities, including walks, trips to the grocery store, and most household routines that she thought she’d never do again. We both will forever be grateful to Dr. Chen for his talent and expertise, he truly is an asset to City of Hope.

I needed a lumbar surgery badly ,and couldn’t find any surgeon that what would help me until I met Dr.Chen. He was very professional and he is definitely an expert in his field. My surgery went well and also no complications. He wasthere every step of the way from pre-op to post surgery.

I would put my trust in Dr. Chen at City of Hope! 5 years ago my husband & I met him. I was feeling apprehensive about surgery. Dr. Chen was personable, yet confident that everything was going to be OK. He was willing to take my case when others weren’t. He is easy to talk to, and to contact. He always responds and tries to stay in communication with his patients. I love that! In 2018, he helped me with referrals as best as he could and stayed in touch. Thanks Dr. Chen!

After many years and appointments with 5 different neurosurgeons, we had the good fortune of meeting Dr. Mike Chen. He was the first doctor that instilled such a sense of confidence in us, that we agreed to go through with my husband's spine tumor removal surgery. Now that the successful surgery is behind us, I can confidently confirm that Dr. Chen lives up to his well deserved reputation as a brilliant, highly skilled, effective, and compassionate neurosurgeon. He is the absolute best!

He is the most caring doctor I have ever encountered. His skill and dedication to his patients are above all. Dr. Chen can walk on water as far as I am concerned. I will always have a very deep respect and thankfulness for him.

I'm writing for my friend who had a melanoma metastasis removed from his spine by Dr. Mike Chen. The five-hour surgery, including vertebral fusion, went without incident; the surgical site healed quickly and perfectly. My friend still has cancer and is getting radiation and immune therapy, but Dr. Chen's part went smoothly and successfully. We found Dr. Chen to be pleasant and easy to talk to. He was the first doctor who actually showed us the scans and explained what was going on. We're fans.

Dr. Michael Chen is a phenomenal neurosurgeon. We were in a grave situation with gas in my husbands brain following a craniotomy that was performed weeks prior. Dr. Chen attempted to release it but the procedure wasn't effective. Dr. Chen discussed the need for a craniotomy and we agreed. The surgical team was called in 2am and 4 1/2 hrs later my husband was stable and soon to be on the mend. I can't thank Dr. Chen and the surgical team enough for saving my husbands life.

I was looking for a neurosurgeon to remove a tumor in my lower spine badly because I was starting to have trouble walking . Dr Chen helped me take care of my problem within 2 and half weeks after my oncologist referred me to him. And I was able to walk on 2nd day after surgery. Totally grateful for Dr Chen.

After receiving a diagnosis of GBM and told that there was no chance of removing the tumor from another doctor on Monday we were able to see Dr. Chen that Friday. He reviewed the MRIs we brought and walked in the room and said he could remove 70 - 90% of the tumor. We once again had hope in our lives. The surgery was scheduled for 2 weeks later (our choice as it was the week before Christmas and we wanted to celebrate the holidays at home). During the surgery Dr. Chen was able to remove 98%!