Mack Roach III, MD

Research Interests

Roach's major research interest involves the application of 3-D conformal and intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) as a major component of combined modality management of prostate cancer and other solid tumors. Over the last 12 years his research efforts have been directed at defining optimal imaging modalities, criteria for target definitions, development of improved treatment techniques, as well as the prediction of complication probabilities. This work has found expression in the Clinical Trials Cooperative Group Mechanism. He chaired a large prospective randomized trial comparing different strategies for locally advanced prostate cancer. He has gained recognition as an authority on treatment planning for prostate cancer and served as senior author for the guidelines for treatment planning, recently published by the American College of Radiology. He has begun to pioneer intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), in combination with Online Portal Imaging, and improved dose calculation algorithms that should allow UCSF Radiation Oncology to provide leadership in the field of radiotherapy for many years to come. Roach is considered a foremost authority in disparities in outcomes from cancer treatment in underserved populations. A recently funded NIH U-56 cooperative planning grant with San Francisco State University should allow both institutions to build a program to effectively address this area in years to come.

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