Dr. Reza Shirazi
Radiation Oncology
San Diego, CA
22 years experience male
Locations
CyberKnife Centers of San Diego
San Diego, CA
About
Bio
Dr. Shirazi serves on the board of directors of Genesis Healthcare Partners and Western Cancer Center and is currently the Regional Chairman for the American Cancer Society, San Diego County and and recognized as one of San Diego's Top Doctors by the San Diego Medical Society and San Diego Magazine 2010, 2014. He has several peer reviewed publications and presentations in National Scientific meetings and is an active member of the research arm of the Genesis Healthcare team.
Dr. Shirazi holds a Medical doctorate and Masters degree from the Chicago Medical School and graduated Magna Cum Laude in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from California State University of Los Angeles and was recipient of the 1996 NASA & Jet Propulsion Laboratories, Outstanding Engineer of the Year Award.
SpecialtiesDoctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Radiation Oncology
Doctor Q&A
240 Answers
889 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Reza Shirazianswered
Radiation Oncology 22 years experience
Tolerable: It can be rough on some people but generally tolerable. Depending on the drug regimen used, some can make the hair fallout temporarily, give some figu... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. Reza Shirazianswered
Radiation Oncology 22 years experience
Possible/ talk to MD: Taking steroids? Usually patients are on some dose of steroids this far along the treatments. The blood sugar levels can get ultered while on steroid... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Reza Shirazianswered
Radiation Oncology 22 years experience
Headache/ nausea: Head cancer i assume you mean brain cancer. Headache, nausea, vomiting, seizures, stroke like sumptoms may be some of the typical presenting signs. S... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 28-year-old member asked:
Dr. Reza Shirazianswered
Radiation Oncology 22 years experience
Anabolic state: Goal is to keep the body in a healthy maintenance state. Not loosing weight is important. Helps immune system stay strong and not alter anatomy import... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 18-year-old male asked:
Dr. Reza Shirazianswered
Radiation Oncology 22 years experience
As you get older: The risk increases as you get older. The number of years you do the insult, it increases the risk. The sooner you stop, the sooner the insult stops. ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 55-year-old female asked:
Dr. Reza Shirazianswered
Radiation Oncology 22 years experience
Yes/No: Radiation is not an absolute contraindication in the setting of ra. It is at best a relative contraindication. The severity of RA will be taken into... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Reza Shirazianswered
Radiation Oncology 22 years experience
Possible: Depending on the body part being radiated. Radiation only effects the area being treated. So cramping and abdomenal pain that is usually manageable ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Reza Shirazianswered
Radiation Oncology 22 years experience
Yes: Radiation cystitis means irritation of bladder because of radiation. It is usually short lived and should resolve within a couple of weeks after radia... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 27-year-old member asked:
Dr. Reza Shirazianswered
Radiation Oncology 22 years experience
No: Fortunately this is not a comon or even a rare side efect. Undergoing breast cancer treatment can be depressive specially just after diagnosis.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Reza Shirazianswered
Radiation Oncology 22 years experience
Possibly not: There can be some thining of the hair in the treatment field of radiation. Thining of facial hair after head and neck radiation is a possibility same ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 27-year-old member asked:
Dr. Reza Shirazianswered
Radiation Oncology 22 years experience
Yes/No: The side effects are different. Radiation side effects are local. It depends on the site being treated. For example, redness irritation of skin if b... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Reza Shirazianswered
Radiation Oncology 22 years experience
No: Usually not, they can cause irritation of urethra for a short period of time that can be discomforting.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 22-year-old member asked:
Dr. Reza Shirazianswered
Radiation Oncology 22 years experience
Depends on dose/type: Depending on what disease is being treated, radiation is given in between 2 weeks to 7 weeks in standard fractionations. Near 7 weeks of radiation we... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Reza Shirazianswered
Radiation Oncology 22 years experience
No: Not normal for the head to swell, but if you are getting radiation to your brain, there can be some swellling in the brain that is typically treated w... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 22-year-old member asked:
Dr. Reza Shirazianswered
Radiation Oncology 22 years experience
No: Mammography can often be an unpleasant experience depending on the patient's breasts glandular consistency.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:
Dr. Reza Shirazianswered
Radiation Oncology 22 years experience
Smoking/ Vit E: Mega dose of antioxidants, vitamin e, excess sun exposure to the treatment area, usually excessive alcohol or tobacco ( the more oxygen around, the mo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:
Dr. Reza Shirazianswered
Radiation Oncology 22 years experience
Many symptoms: Headache, nausea, vomiting, stroke like symptoms (weakness in extremities, inability to speak or read or write, visual loss), change in cognition( thi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:
Dr. Reza Shirazianswered
Radiation Oncology 22 years experience
Probably yes: Depending on the stage of disease and treatments you will receive , chances are there will be some change in your sex life. Usually not for better, bu... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 28-year-old female asked:
Dr. Reza Shirazianswered
Radiation Oncology 22 years experience
Look, feel, imaging: The look, feel, imaging like ultrasound, MRI or ct scan charecteristics may help. Some remain hard to tell and ultimately may require surgery to conf... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 32-year-old male asked:
Dr. Reza Shirazianswered
Radiation Oncology 22 years experience
Chemotherapy: Mainstay of treatment for tumor that is metastatic is chemotherapy. Local treatments like surgery, radio surgery or radiation can do just that local ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Reza Shirazianswered
Radiation Oncology 22 years experience
No one procedure: Not a universal procedure or test to detect all kinds of tumor. Imaging, lab work, clinical picture, and ultimately a tissue biopsy may often be neces... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old female asked:
Dr. Reza Shirazianswered
Radiation Oncology 22 years experience
Symptoms none, bleed: Cancer of cells low part if uterus that is called cervix. Much more common in other parts of the world where pap smear for screening is not routinely ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old male asked:
Dr. Reza Shirazianswered
Radiation Oncology 22 years experience
Not usually: Keep an eye on the size of the lipoma and make sure it is not increasing or changing characteristics in terms of the shape. See your doctor if there i... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old member asked:
Can a man be sexually active during the period that he is undergoing treatments for prostate cancer?
Dr. Reza Shirazianswered
Radiation Oncology 22 years experience
Yes: I assume you mean external beam radiation, the answer is yes for this.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old member asked:
Dr. Reza Shirazianswered
Radiation Oncology 22 years experience
See another: Both chemo and radiation are very powerful treatments and need to be given under guidance of medical and radiation oncologist. But most of all you nee... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Reza Shirazianswered
Radiation Oncology 22 years experience
Depends, margin/node: If all the tumor is removed (clear margin) and there is no lymph node involvement the odds are very good. This means early stage lung cancer. The ty... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Reza Shirazianswered
Radiation Oncology 22 years experience
No: Most common form of radiation he is getting is external beam radiation, which is typically x-rays. It is only on when the patient is in the room. He... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Reza Shirazianswered
Radiation Oncology 22 years experience
No: Most likely not. Radiation put out by cell phones have very limited penetration. Pillow is thick enough to degrade the radiation (distance and shiel... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Reza Shirazianswered
Radiation Oncology 22 years experience
3-6 months later: Usually a baseline mammogram is obtained a couple of months after finishing radiation treatments. By then, most of the acute side effects of skin irr... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 52-year-old member asked:
Dr. Reza Shirazianswered
Radiation Oncology 22 years experience
Jaundice, pain: Dark color urine ( like color of coke or pepsi), light color stool (gray), jaundice ( yellow skin and eyes), weight loss, change in bowel habits, cram... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Reza Shirazianswered
Radiation Oncology 22 years experience
Radiation treatment: Stereotactic radiosurgery is a non-surgical treatment in which high doses of focused radiation beams are delivered from multiple locations outside the... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Reza Shirazianswered
Radiation Oncology 22 years experience
In area treated: You will lose hair only in the area that is being directly treated.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Reza Shirazianswered
Radiation Oncology 22 years experience
Overtime Allowed: With following guidelines and safe radiation practices, dose to the technologist, therapist, doctor, nurse and other health related workers are typica... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Reza Shirazianswered
Radiation Oncology 22 years experience
Children Hospital : You want her to be treated on clinical trials available on many major city children's hospitals. St jude's , or cincinnati children hospital are to n... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 36-year-old male asked:
Dr. Reza Shirazianswered
Radiation Oncology 22 years experience
No: Any thing is possible but location of a stroke does not typically lead to tumor. Stroke is where there is lack of blood supply to an area. Rumors typ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Reza Shirazianswered
Radiation Oncology 22 years experience
It depends on stage: It can vary from excellent to poor.
Neeed more info about stage and location.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 22-year-old member asked:
Dr. Reza Shirazianswered
Radiation Oncology 22 years experience
Yes: Call your local american cancer society for more information and support, if in the usa. They can connect you with national or local organizations and... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:
Dr. Reza Shirazianswered
Radiation Oncology 22 years experience
Uncontrolled growth: Cancer is uncontrolled growth of cells that has escaped normal mechanisms of control that exists in the body to control cell growth and repair damage ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:
Dr. Reza Shirazianswered
Radiation Oncology 22 years experience
Many options: There is typically many options for prostate cancer treatment. Determining factors are: age, other comorbidities/illnesses, biology of disease, psa, s... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:
Dr. Reza Shirazianswered
Radiation Oncology 22 years experience
Cancer out of Origin: Cancer has already gone out of pancreas. One of the typical places it likes to go to is the liver. Disease is now spread beyond the primary site.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:
Dr. Reza Shirazianswered
Radiation Oncology 22 years experience
Yes: Several studies have shown being overweight adversely affects survival for postmenopausal women with breast cancer.
Similarly, studies have shown tha... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:
How reliable are the screening tests for prostate cancer? does prostate cancer screening save lives?
Dr. Reza Shirazianswered
Radiation Oncology 22 years experience
Yes, saves lives: With all its imperfections, psa is still the best surrogate marker. There is next generation psa testing coming in the future. Screening alone, withou... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:
Dr. Reza Shirazianswered
Radiation Oncology 22 years experience
Sometimes: Depending on the type of tumor, extent of disease involvement, surgical margins, etc. Radiation can be used early as planned course or used later as ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 52-year-old member asked:
Dr. Reza Shirazianswered
Radiation Oncology 22 years experience
Removal of breast: Removal of breast tissue and some adjacent tissues depending on the type of mastectomy.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Reza Shirazianswered
Radiation Oncology 22 years experience
Rads, Gray (Gy): The gray (symbol: gy) is the si unit of absorbed radiation dose of ionizing radiation (for example, x-rays), and is defined as the absorption of one j... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Reza Shirazianswered
Radiation Oncology 22 years experience
No: Most likely not. The penetration of cell phone radiation is very limited and no meaningful dose delivered to thyroid unless phone is held for a very ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old member asked:
Dr. Reza Shirazianswered
Radiation Oncology 22 years experience
A few minutes: 10-15 minutes on the machine, half of which is used to set the patient accurately in position. Radiation is given over a couple of minutes.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 20-year-old member asked:
Dr. Reza Shirazianswered
Radiation Oncology 22 years experience
1st Lymph Node: First lymph node or group of nodes most likely to harbor cancer cells from a primary tumor.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:
Dr. Reza Shirazianswered
Radiation Oncology 22 years experience
No: But because of proximity to optic nerve can have adverse effect on vision if untreated.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Reza Shirazianswered
Radiation Oncology 22 years experience
Yes: Radiation is one of the tools we have to combat cervical cancer.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
4
Recommendations
469
Thank you notes
Dec 16, 2012
Exceptionally skilled Radiation Oncologist.
Feb 27, 2013
Highest recommendation
HealthTap member
Mar 30, 2015
Dr. Shirazi is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
This was very helpful. Thanks! Tnxs, appreciate this, son disabled, epilepsy, benign pea size tumer entire life,hospital to take out, hope no more medication, tumer above ear,small,how serious,surviva...Read More
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was very helpful! I was a heavy drinker but for last 10 daz I have been without any liquor. Could this be causing discolored urine?
HealthTap member
Thank you. I have been told by many people & family that its very rare for someone my age to get oral cancer but the risk is still there.
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
Rosalind Franklin University - Chicago Medical School, IL
Graduated 2001MD
Awards
RSNA 2006 Roentgen Resident/Fellow Research Award.
Top Doc San Diego 2010, 2014
Top Radiation Oncologist , Third Place, California - Summer
2013
Affiliations
ASTRO, ASCO, ACRO, ACS
Publications
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions, provide medical advice, write prescriptions, and more.
Answer emailed
in 24 hours or less