News & Insights
Practice announcements, press coverage and patient education videos from XRO.
XRO physicians Dr. Siavash Jabbari and Dr. Geoffrey Weinstein at Sharp Memorial Hospital are certified to use the Optune treatment. Optune is intended as a treatment for adult patients (22 years of age or older) with histologically-confirmed glioblastoma multiforme (GBM).
Dr. Jabbari was invited to speak at an event hosted by State Senator Toni Atkins and Komen San Diego. The event highlighted the elimination of breast and cervical cancer treatment limits for low-income California residents thanks to new funding in the state budget. Dr. Jabbari spoke about breast cancer treatment timelines and celebrated with the attendees.
Dr. Jabbari has been invited to participate as a select member of The American Radium Society (ARS) / American College of Radiology (ACR) Appropriateness Criteria Brain Committee. This is the authoritative international body for the formulation of expert evidence-based guidelines for the treatment of brain tumors, guiding diagnostic and treatment recommendations for the international medical, health policy, and insurance payer communities.
Dr. Jabbari has again been invited by RANZCR as a speaker for their annual international meeting, this time to educate physicians on Tumor Treatment Fields for aggressive brain cancers. It is the only effective new treatment for this difficult cancer since chemotherapy was introduced, and is not yet available in Australia, New Zealand, or most of East Asia.
XRO's original announcement reported that the Amtower team and Dr. Siavash Jabbari had been invited by AbbVie to participate in a US Medical Affairs Advisory Board meeting focused on brain cancer. The notice described four priorities: unmet treatment needs, value and quality, coordination between academic and community centers, and policies for managing treatment-related side effects.
The announcement records an invitation, not the results of a meeting. It does not establish that anyone attended, joined the board permanently, or helped bring a particular treatment into routine care.
For a person facing a brain-cancer diagnosis, the questions are often much broader than which treatment to receive. Patients and families also want to understand what options exist, which specialists need to be involved, and how the next step connects with the care they already receive. The original notice is important because its stated agenda included those practical concerns alongside the development of new therapies.
An advisory discussion is not a clinical trial result. It should not be read as evidence that a drug is effective, that a trial is open locally, or that an individual patient is eligible. Those questions require separate clinical information and a conversation with the treating team.
The announcement specifically identified patient flow between academic and community centers. For families, that subject translates into understandable questions: Who is coordinating appointments? Which clinician explains the recommendations? Where should questions about side effects go? If another center is involved, how will its recommendations reach the local team?
These are useful questions for a radiation oncology consultation even when the answer does not involve a trial or a new drug. A clear care plan should explain the purpose of treatment, its expected benefits and limitations, and whom to contact when concerns arise.
This historical item reflects the topics described in XRO's announcement. It is not confirmation of an ongoing relationship with AbbVie or of present-day trial availability.
Photo: Pavel Danilyuk / Pexels, used under the Pexels License. Illustrative healthcare discussion; not a photograph of the Amtower team, Dr. Jabbari or the advisory meeting.
Walking to raise awareness of brain tumors at NTC Park at Liberty Station, San Diego.
The team reported developments in neuro-navigation, tumor fluorescence, radiosurgery alone for larger numbers of brain metastases, hippocampus-sparing techniques, alternating electric tumor treating fields (TTF), available clinical trials, advanced genetics, neuro-psych testing and therapy, and new immunotherapy agents for primary and secondary CNS tumors.
Dr. Jabbari discusses treating patients with state-of-the-art equipment and compassion to get the best results.
Dr. Jabbari and XRO were invited to hold Expert Speaker Grand Rounds on Radiosurgery of the Spine at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
The John Wayne Cancer Institute invited Dr. Jabbari and XRO to give Grand Rounds on spine radiosurgery, an advanced and highly effective technique for difficult spine tumors not yet available at most institutions. Thanks to XRO's expertise, spine radiosurgery has been available to our patients and referring physicians for several years.
Presentation: Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT) for Spine Metastases: An Emerging Paradigm. Gold Coast, Queensland.
Dr. Jabbari held a web-cast Global Grand Rounds for an international audience of primary care and cardiac specialists on advanced imaging and therapy in oncology, an important issue for patients with cardiac devices who later need MRI scans or cancer therapy.
XRO co-authored a new publication in The Cancer Journal on optimally treating cancers affecting the spine, a common and often debilitating condition affecting many thousands of patients each year.
Dr. Jabbari attended the Cancer Moonshot Summit on behalf of XRO and the Amtower Institute, co-hosted by Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute in La Jolla, one of 10 sites nationwide, alongside HHS and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network.
Dr. Jabbari spoke at the sold-out Sharp Women's Health Conference on Healthy Living for Cancer Prevention.
In a January 2016 San Diego Union-Tribune article, radiation oncologist Dr. Siavash Jabbari described advances intended to make radiation therapy more precise and less disruptive to daily life. His central message was that treating a tumor and protecting nearby healthy tissue are connected goals.
This is a patient-oriented review of the original article, not an update establishing which equipment or techniques are currently available at XRO. Treatment selection, side effects and the number of visits remain individual decisions.
The article highlighted breathing control during breast radiation. It described monitoring a patient's breathing and coordinating radiation delivery with an appropriate phase of the breathing cycle. The purpose was to create greater separation between the treatment area and critical structures such as the heart, reducing their exposure.
For a patient, the important takeaway is not that everyone needs the same breathing technique. It is that the relationship between the tumor and nearby organs is part of planning. A useful question is: “How will my plan limit radiation to healthy tissue, and will breathing or positioning affect that plan?”
The report also discussed faster, more precise external-beam treatment, along with checks of patient identity, treatment site and the prescribed protocol. Shorter delivery times may make it easier to remain in position, but speed alone does not determine the quality of care.
A linear accelerator delivers radiation from outside the body. The photograph accompanying this review shows a TrueBeam unit as an example of that equipment category; it does not establish the machine used for any particular patient's treatment. Patients can ask how their position will be checked and what to do if staying still is difficult or uncomfortable.
The article also described brachytherapy, which places radiation sources within or close to the treatment area. It discussed its use in selected breast and gynecologic cancers, among other indications, and the potential for shorter courses in appropriate circumstances.
Those statements should not be turned into a promise of treatment in a few days or of negligible risk. Whether brachytherapy is suitable depends on the diagnosis, anatomy and overall plan. External-beam therapy and brachytherapy can serve different purposes; a consultation should explain why one, both, or another approach is recommended.
The story's enduring value is its focus on the balance between cancer control and quality of life. Ask about the goal of treatment, nearby organs, expected side effects and how the schedule fits your situation. The article's historical national statistics and broad claims are not used here as current outcome predictions.
Photo: Michael Goodyear / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Illustrative TrueBeam equipment, not a verified XRO location. Used without modification.
The original XRO news item linked to a December 2015 KPBS story about California's End of Life Option Act. It supplied a headline rather than a detailed explanation. That linked story concerns a historical change in law, not a recommendation for any individual patient.
The full KPBS article was not accessible during this review. The context below therefore comes from the California Department of Public Health's official information, not from an assumed reconstruction of the reporter's account.
The California Department of Public Health describes the Act as allowing an adult diagnosed with a terminal disease who meets certain qualifications to request aid-in-dying drugs from an attending physician. A cancer diagnosis, including a serious or advanced diagnosis, does not by itself establish eligibility. Statutory requirements and an individual medical assessment matter.
This is a legal option with a defined process, not a standard cancer treatment or a blanket entitlement. Anyone seeking information about it should speak with their treating clinician and consult the current official resources. This article does not provide eligibility determinations or instructions for using medication.
Readers should not use a 2015 headline as a complete guide to today's law. CDPH reports that Senate Bill 403 was signed on October 3, 2025 and removed the Act's expiration date. The official CDPH page and California statute are linked below so readers can check the current framework rather than rely on archived coverage.
The legal change does not establish that a particular physician or practice participates. This post makes no claim about XRO's participation or referral arrangements.
For a radiation oncology patient, the immediate question may be much more practical: What is this treatment intended to achieve, and does that goal fit my priorities? Ask the care team to explain the expected benefit, possible burdens and alternatives in language you understand.
It is also reasonable to ask whom to contact about pain, other symptoms, emotional support or a change in goals. Discussion of end-of-life choices should not replace a conversation about the care and support available now. Families may benefit from a dedicated appointment for these questions rather than trying to address them at the end of a rushed visit.
This is neutral educational context, not medical or legal advice. The linked KPBS article is preserved as historical coverage, with its access limitation made explicit.
Photo: Jsme MILA / Pexels, Pexels License. Illustrative supportive conversation; the people shown are not identified as XRO patients or as having a terminal illness.
For patients with left-sided breast cancer at Sharp Memorial Hospital, a special device called the Active Breathing Coordinator (ABC) may be used to help a woman hold her breath during radiation treatments.
Researchers discover a method to lower heart disease risk after breast cancer treatment. Deep inspiration breath hold could help protect a woman's heart during radiation. (ABC 10 News)
Siavash Jabbari, MD, of the Douglas & Nancy Barnhart Cancer Center at Sharp Chula Vista, discusses the potential for implantable cardiac devices to malfunction following radiation therapy, a growing consideration as radiation plays a bigger role in all stages of lung cancer.
Lung Cancer Treatment: Edgar's Story
Mujeres latinas más propensas a desarrollar cáncer
XRO's historical news index reports that Sharp Chula Vista and the Institute of Public Health Services of Baja California, known as ISESALUD, entered an information-sharing relationship on October 17, 2013. The stated purpose was to share knowledge for education and professional development.
The notice is brief. It does not describe a patient-referral program, the sharing of individual medical records, financial arrangements or any change in treatment access. It also does not establish that the agreement remains active today.
The patient-facing value of this story is its attention to communication between health organizations. Cancer care often raises questions that involve more than one clinician or service. An educational relationship can be a subject of professional exchange, but an announcement alone cannot show that it improved outcomes or changed anyone's care.
For a radiation oncology patient, the practical lesson is to ask how the people involved in a treatment plan communicate. Knowing who explains recommendations and who follows up on outstanding questions is more useful than assuming that an institutional agreement automatically provides a service.
Patients considering care on either side of the border should confirm arrangements directly with the treating team. Ask which organization is responsible for each part of the plan, what information is needed before a visit, and how follow-up will be handled. Do not assume that records transfer automatically or that an agreement covers payment, insurance or referrals.
Useful questions include:
These are planning questions, not claims about services offered under the 2013 agreement.
The date in the original notice is the agreement date. It should not be taken as evidence of a new partnership today. Keeping the item in the archive preserves part of the practice's historical context while making its limits clear.
Photo: Pavel Danilyuk / Pexels, Pexels License. Illustrative healthcare conversation; not the agreement meeting or representatives of either organization.
This national distinction recognizes outstanding healthcare organizations that demonstrated the highest level of excellence in patient satisfaction and overall care over a 12-month period.
XRO's news archive linked to an August 31, 2013 U-T San Diego story titled “Preventive lung cancer screenings coming.” The original linked report was not accessible during this review, so this post does not reconstruct its reporting or assume details about insurance coverage.
Instead, the National Cancer Institute's lung-screening information provides a way to understand the historical headline and the questions it raises today.
NCI explains that lung cancer screening uses low-dose computed tomography, usually called low-dose CT or LDCT, to create detailed pictures of the lungs. Screening is intended to look for disease before symptoms appear in people with an elevated risk related to smoking history.
A screening CT is a diagnostic imaging test, not radiation treatment. It is different from the work of a linear accelerator used to deliver radiation therapy. An abnormal finding also does not, by itself, establish a cancer diagnosis or mean that radiation treatment will be needed.
NCI describes the 2013 US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation and its later revision in 2021. That history is a reminder that an older article should not be used as current eligibility guidance. Recommendations, insurance rules and an individual's health circumstances need to be considered separately.
Rather than treating the archived headline as an invitation for everyone to get a CT scan, ask your primary care clinician whether screening is appropriate for you. Bring an accurate account of your smoking history, including when you stopped if you previously smoked. NCI also emphasizes that screening is not a substitute for quitting smoking.
A useful screening conversation includes what the test can and cannot tell you, what happens if it finds something that needs follow-up, and who will explain the results. Ask about possible downsides as well as benefits, so the decision is informed rather than driven by a headline.
If you have symptoms or a new concern, tell a clinician directly. Evaluation of a symptom is a different question from routine screening for someone who feels well.
The story connects prevention and early detection with the wider cancer-care pathway. It does not establish that XRO performs screening, that a screening program is currently open, or that anyone qualifies for a particular treatment. Its value today is as a prompt for a risk-based discussion with a healthcare professional.
Photo: Jsme MILA / Pexels, Pexels License. Illustrative healthcare conversation; not a screening procedure or a photograph of an XRO patient.
XRO's original news index reports that Dr. Jabbari spoke at an American Cancer Society Relay For Life event in Sharp Chula Vista. The notice describes an emphasis on community awareness, prevention and early detection, healthy living, and resources for people with or without a cancer diagnosis.
The entry does not provide an event date or a separate article. It should be read as an undated historical notice, not as an announcement of an upcoming event or evidence of a continuing event partnership.
The American Cancer Society describes Relay For Life as a volunteer-led community experience that celebrates survivors and caregivers, remembers loved ones lost to cancer, and raises funds for advocacy, research and patient support.
That gives the original notice a useful patient-facing context. Cancer can affect families and caregivers as well as the person receiving treatment. A community event can recognize those experiences without being a medical visit, screening program or treatment service.
The archived entry says that prevention and early detection were among the physician's topics. It does not provide the details of his talk. This review therefore does not attribute specific screening recommendations or medical advice to that appearance.
People looking for prevention guidance should ask a healthcare professional which screening tests fit their age, medical history and risk factors. A community awareness message can start that conversation, but it cannot replace an individual assessment or follow-up of symptoms.
The story reflects a broader theme: patients' needs do not stop at the treatment room door. Questions about family support, practical resources and life after a diagnosis are legitimate parts of a care conversation. Ask the team which resources may be appropriate for your circumstances and how to reach them.
That connection is educational context, not a claim that the event produced particular outcomes or that XRO offers every American Cancer Society program. For current event information or ways to participate, use the Society's own page rather than the historical notice.
Photo: Jsme MILA / Pexels, Pexels License. Illustrative supportive conversation; not the Relay For Life event, its participants or an identified XRO patient.
XRO's original news index reports that Dr. Siavash Jabbari and colleagues from Sharp HealthCare were invited speakers at the first annual Bi-National Congress for Cervical Cancer in Tijuana on July 2, 2013. The notice describes a day-long educational event organized by the Baja Secretary of Health for clinicians, policymakers and patient advocates from Mexico and the United States.
The entry says the discussion concerned advances in cervical cancer care. It does not provide the presentations or research data, so this review does not reconstruct what individual speakers said or claim that the event changed treatment outcomes.
NCI explains that cervical screening looks for precancerous cell changes before symptoms appear, allowing those changes to be treated before cancer develops. Screening can also sometimes detect cancer. HPV testing, Pap testing and combined testing serve related but different purposes.
This distinction matters in a radiation oncology archive. Screening is not radiation treatment, and an abnormal screening result is not automatically a cancer diagnosis. Follow-up tests and the clinician's interpretation determine what happens next.
The educational theme remains useful even though the congress was held in 2013. Patients benefit from understanding where they are in the pathway: routine screening, follow-up of an abnormal result, diagnosis, or treatment planning. Ask the clinician to explain the next step and who will coordinate it.
NCI notes that the appropriate screening test and interval depend on age and health history. HPV vaccination does not remove the need to follow screening recommendations. This article does not give a single schedule for everyone; a clinician can help interpret the guidance for an individual's circumstances.
For someone already diagnosed with cervical cancer, prevention advice and treatment advice are not interchangeable. A treatment discussion should address the individual diagnosis and goals rather than draw conclusions from an old conference notice.
The archive preserves the practice's historical educational involvement. It does not confirm present-day programs in Tijuana, ongoing partnerships or services available under the congress.
Photo: Pavel Danilyuk / Pexels, Pexels License. Illustrative healthcare conversation; not the congress, its speakers or participating organizations.
Ryght AI announced a board of experienced medical leaders to guide the next phase of its clinical trial AI work, as described in its October 7, 2025 press release.
Clinical trials are how new cancer treatments become standard care, yet many eligible patients never learn a trial exists. Tools that help match patients to studies can make research easier to reach outside large academic centers.
XRO physicians have long taken part in research and tumor boards across San Diego. Following developments in trial technology helps our team keep patients informed about options that may fit their diagnosis.
Read the full press release on the Ryght AI website for the complete list of advisors and their goals.
Sharp Health News reported on a new study that offers hope for people diagnosed with brain tumors.
Brain tumors can be among the hardest diagnoses to hear. Research that improves how these tumors are treated, or how long patients live well afterward, gives families real reasons for hope.
Radiation therapy is a core part of treatment for many brain tumors. XRO physicians use precise techniques such as stereotactic radiosurgery and image-guided radiation to target tumors while protecting healthy brain tissue, and they work alongside neurosurgeons and medical oncologists to bring new evidence into everyday care.
Read the full article on Sharp Health News to learn what the study found.
When former President Joe Biden's prostate cancer diagnosis made headlines, many men started asking questions about their own risk. Sharp Health News used the moment to share practical lessons.
Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men. Talking with your doctor about screening, knowing your family history and acting on symptoms can all lead to earlier diagnosis, when more treatment options are available.
Radiation therapy is a proven treatment for prostate cancer at many stages. XRO offers advanced options, including image-guided radiation and SpaceOAR hydrogel, a spacer that helps reduce radiation to the rectum during treatment.
Read the full article on Sharp Health News.
In this Sharp Health News feature, XRO radiation oncologist Dr. Croix Fossum shares what drives his work and how radiation treatment has changed.
Many people picture radiation as harsh or imprecise. Modern machines shape and aim each treatment to the tumor, often allowing shorter courses and fewer side effects. Just as important is a care team that explains each step and supports patients throughout.
Dr. Fossum's perspective reflects how our physicians approach every patient: careful planning with advanced technology, combined with time to listen and answer questions. The article is a helpful introduction for anyone about to begin treatment with XRO.
Read the full article on Sharp Health News.
For decades, there were two primary treatments to cure prostate cancer: surgery or radiation. Modern technology has allowed both to leap forward, improving results for patients.
Men diagnosed today have more options than ever, and the right choice depends on the cancer's stage, overall health and personal priorities. Understanding how treatments have changed makes it easier to have an informed conversation with your care team.
XRO treats prostate cancer with precise, image-guided radiation, including shorter treatment courses for suitable patients and SpaceOAR hydrogel to help protect the rectum. Our physicians work with urologists to help each patient compare options.
Read the full article on Sharp Health News.
Being multilingual is very important to Dr. Ruben Carmona, medical director of radiation oncology at the Douglas & Nancy Barnhart Cancer Center at Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center.
A cancer diagnosis brings many new words and decisions. Being able to ask questions and hear answers in your own language helps patients and families understand their treatment and feel confident about their care.
XRO serves communities across San Diego County, including the South Bay and families with ties across the border. Dr. Carmona's commitment reflects our goal of care that is accessible, respectful and easy to understand for everyone we treat.
Read the full article on Sharp Health News.
We often hear that cancer is more common in older adults. Testicular cancer is different: it is frequently diagnosed in young men ages 15 to 45, and roughly half of cases are found in men ages 20 to 34.
Young men may not think of cancer as a risk, so awareness is key. Knowing what is normal for your body and seeing a doctor about any lump, swelling or change can lead to early diagnosis. Testicular cancer is highly treatable, especially when found early.
Radiation therapy is one treatment option for certain types and stages of testicular cancer. XRO physicians work with urologists and medical oncologists to choose the approach that best balances cure with long-term health.
Read the full article on Sharp Health News.
Dr. Siavash Jabbari provided expert input for this Sharp Health News article on treatment for aggressive brain tumors.
Aggressive brain tumors, such as glioblastoma, are difficult to treat. Care usually combines surgery, radiation and medication, and newer approaches are helping some patients live longer with a better quality of life.
Dr. Jabbari has a long history of caring for patients with brain tumors and helping lead neuro-oncology programs in San Diego. His involvement shows how XRO physicians contribute to bringing the latest brain tumor treatments to local patients.
Read the full article on Sharp Health News.
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