Baldassarre Stea, MD, PhD

Professor and Department Head, Radiation Oncology

Phone Number: 
(520) 626-6724
Fax: 
(520) 626-3141
Short Bio: 

Dr. Stea earned his doctorate in biochemistry at UCLA, followed by a medical degree from George Washington University, Washington, D.C. He received his residency training in radiation oncology at the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, MD. Since his appointment with The University of Arizona Cancer Center, Dr. Stea has served as director of the Radiation Oncology Residency Training Program from 1995-1998, and has been medical director of the department since 1997.  Dr. Stea has been head professor of the Department of Radiation Oncology since 2003.

Dr. Stea is board-certified in radiation oncology, and specializes in the treatment of malignant and benign brain tumors using stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). He developed the stereotactic radiosurgery program at the University of Arizona, and has over 20 years of experience in the field. Dr. Stea's research is focused on the development of novel radiation enhancers and radiosensitizing drugs for primary and secondary brain tumors. His clinical practice focuses on treatment of malignant brain tumors and pediatric cancers, including total body irradiation (TBI). He received the UMC "Patient's Choice Award" for outstanding communication and excellence in patient care 1994, 1995 and 1998, and has been listed among The Best Doctors in America since 1996.

Clinical Information
Specialty: 
Radiation Oncologist
Clinical Practice Sites: 
The University of Arizona Cancer Center - Orange Grove
Radiation Oncology
The University of Arizona Medical Center - University Campus
Research Information
Research Program: 
1. Therapeutic Development
Member Status: 
Associate Member
Year of Membership Acceptance: 
1989
Selected Publications: 
Stea, B., Falsey, R., Kislin, K., Patel, J., Glanzberg, H., Carey, S., Meuillet, E.J., Martinez, J.D. Growth inhibition and radiosensitization of Glioblastoma Multiforme by the EGFR-receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor ZD 1939 (Iressa). Cancer Letters. 202, 43-51, 2003.
 
Choy, H., Nabid, A., Stea, B., Scott, C., Roa, W., Kleinberg, L., Ayoub, J., Smith, C., Souhami, L., Hamburg, S., Spanos, W., Kreisman, H., Boyd, A.P., Cagnoni, P.J, Curran, W.J. Phase II multicenter study of induction chemotherapy followed by concurrent Efaproxiral (RSR13) and thoracic radiotherapy for patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer. J Clin Oncol. 23, 5918-28, 2005.
 
Suh, J., Stea, B., Nabid, A., Fortin, A., Mercier, J.P., Senzer, N., Chang, E., Boyd, A.P., Cagnoni, P.J., Shaw, E. Results from a phase III study evaluating Efaproxiral as an adjunct to whole brain radiation therapy for the treatment of patients with brain metastases. J Clin Oncol. 24(1):106-14, 2006.
 
Gabayan, A.J., Green, S.B., Sanan, A., Jenrette, J., Schultz, C., Papagikos, M., Tatter, S.P., Patel, A., Amin, A., Tonnesen, G.L., Lusting, R., Bastin, K.T., Watson, G., Burri, S., Stea, B. GliaSite radiotherapy system for treatment of recurrent gliomas. Neurosurgery. 58:701-709, 2006.
 
Stea, B., Suh, J.H., Boyd, A.P., Cagnoni, P.J., Shaw, E. Whole brain radiation therapy with or without Efaproxiral for the treatment of brain metastases: determinants of response and its prognostic value for subsequent survival. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 64(4):1023-30, 2006.
 
Welsh, J., Gabayan, A., Green, S.B., Lustig, R., Burri, S., Kwong, E., Stea, B. GilaSite Radiotherapy Boost as part of the initial treatment of Glioblastoma Multiforme: a retrospective multi-institutional pilot study. Inter J Rad Oncol Biol Phys. 68(1), 159-165, 2007.
 
Pawar, S., Dougherty, S., Pennington, M.E., Demetriou, M.C., Stea, B., Dorr, R.T., Cress, A.E. |*alpha*|6 Integrin Cleavage: Sensitizing Human Prostate Cancer to Ionizing Radiation. Int J Radiat. Biol. 83(11):761-767, 2007.
 
Persky, D., Unger, J., Spier, C.M., Stea, B., Maloney, D.G., LeBlanc, M., Rimsza, L.M., Fisher, R.I., Miller, T.P. Phase II study of rituximab plus three cycles of CHOP and involved-field radiotherapy for patients with limited-stage aggressive B-cell lymphoma: Southwest Oncology Group Study 0014. J Clin Oncol. 10:26(14):2258-63, 2008.
 
Watchman, C., and Stea, B. Patient positioning using implanted gold markers with the Novalis Body System in the Thoracic Spine. Neurosurgery. 62, A62-A68, 2008.
 
Chino, K., Grace, A., Silvain, D. Stea, B. Outpatient brachytherapy for patients with brain tumors using the GliaSite RTS system. Med Phys 2008 Jul: 35(7):3383-8.  
Professional Information
Board Certifications: 
  • Diplomate of the National Board of Medical Examiners
  • Diplomate of the American Board of Radiology (Radiation Oncology)
Professional Affiliations: 
  • Courtesy Consultant, Northwest Hospital, Tucson, AZ
  • Courtesy Staff, Tucson Medical Center, Tucson, AZ
  • Consultant in Radiation Oncology, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Tucson, AZ
  • Medical Staff Fellow, Radiation Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD
  • Intern in Medicine, George Washington University
  • Summer Research Fellow, George Washington University, Cancer Research Laboratory
  • Summer Research Fellow, University of Bari (Italy), Department of Biological Chemistry
  • NIH/NRSA Predoctoral Trainee, UCLA, Department of Chemistry
  • Postdoctoral Fellow, UCLA, Department of Chemistry
  • Teaching Fellow, UCLA, Department of Chemistry
  • Teaching Associate, UCLA, Department of Chemistry
  • Research Associate, UCLA, Department of Chemistry
  • Teaching Assistant, UCLA, Department of Chemistry
  • Research Assistant, UCLA, Department of Surgery/Oncology
Honors: 
  • Admitted to the Honors Program, UCLA (1974)
  • Graduated cum laude, UCLA (1974)
  • NIH/NRSA Predoctoral Trainingship, UCLA
  • Recipient of the Phi Beta Kappa Alumni Association Scholarship
  • Travel Award to the 1st Pathobiology of Cancer Workshop (Keystone, CO)
  • Research Grant Award from the Italian National Research Council
  • ALPHA OMEGA ALPHA Medical Society
  • The Hubon W. Lawson Award for Most Outstanding Student in OB/GYN
  • The Howard K. Kane - A.F.A. King Obstetrical Honor Society
  • American Cancer Society - Clinical Oncology Career Development Award
  • Travel Grant Award to Paris, France for the 17th International Congress of Radiology; Office of International Programs, University of Arizona
  • Recipient of ASTRO Award to attend the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ESTRO) meeting in Montecatini, Italy
  • Travel Grant Award to from the Office of International Programs to attend the First International Symposium on Neuro-Radio-Surgery in Vienna, Austria
  • "Patient's Choice Award" from UMC for Outstanding Communication and Quality Care
  • Travel Grant Award from the Office of International Programs to attend the VII International Congress on Hyperthermic Oncology in Rome, Italy
  • Listed in the "The Best Doctors in America: Pacific Region," 1996-1997 Edition
  • Strathmore's "Who's Who," 2001-2002 Registry
  • Listed in "The Best Doctor's in America," 1998-2009
  • Recipient of the first annual Physician Award from the UMC Board of Directors
  • Faculty Teaching Award - Longitudinal Clinical Curriculum preceptor of the year (2006)
Academic Information
Residency: 
National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
Doctorate: 
UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
Medical School: 
George Washington University, Washington, D.C.
Master's Degree: 
UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
Undergraduate School: 
UCLA, Los Angeles, CA