• Publications
• Experience
• About

Professional Focus

Dr. William Wara is an internationally renowned expert in treating central nervous system and pediatric brain tumors. He treats lymphocytic leukemic patients with total body irradiation followed by bone marrow transplant surgery. He also is an international lecturer on pediatric brain tumors and has written more than 200 papers and book chapters. He is an active member of the Children's Cancer Study group and has chaired the Brain Tumor and Histiocytosis X committees.

Wara earned an undergraduate degree at Stanford University, a master's degree in biology at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a medical degree at the University of California at Irvine. He joined the medical staff and faculty of UCSF in 1973 after completing a residency in Radiation Oncology. He also was the Eleanor Roosevelt Cancer Fellow at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London, England.

Education

Professional Experience

Awards & Honors

Publications - Partial Listing since 2000 (Out of 204)

Haas-Kogan D, Fisch BM, Wara WM, Swift PS, Farmer DL, Harrison MR, Albanese C, Weinberg V, Matthay KK. Intraoperative radiation therapy for high-risk pediatric neuroblastoma. Int. J. Radiation Oncology, Biol. Phys.,47:985-992, 2000.

Levin VA, Lamborn K, Wara W, Davis R, Edwards M, Rabbitt J, Malec M, Prados M. Phase II study of 6-thioguanine, procarbazine, dibromodulcitol, lomustine, and vincristine chemotherapy with radiotherapy for treating malignant glioma in children. Neuro-Oncology, 2:22-28, 2000.

Ojemann SG, Sneed PK, Larson DA, Gutin PH, Berger MS, Verhey L, Wara W, Smith V, Petti P, Park E, McDermott MW. Radiosurgery for malignant meningioma: Results in 22 patients. Journal of Neurosurgery, 93(suppl 3):62-67-2000.

Prados MD, Wara WM, Sneed PK, McDermott M, Chang SM, Rabbitt J, Page M, Malec M, Davis RL, Gutin PH, Lamborn K, Wilson CB, Phillips TL, Larson DA. Phase III trial of accelerated hyperfractionation with or without difluromethylornithine (DFMO) versus standard fractionated radiotherapy with or without DFMO for new diagnosed patients with glioblastoma multiforme. Int. J. Radiation Oncology, Biol. Phys., 49:71-77, 2001.

Bertucio CS, Wara WM, Matthay KK, Ablin AR, Johnston JO, O'Donnell RJ, Weinberg V, Haas-Kogan DA. Functional and clinical outcomes of limb-sparing therapy for pediatric extremity sarcomas. Int. J. Radiation Oncology, Biol. Phys., 49:763-769, 2001.

Goodman KA, Sneed PK, McDermott MW, Shiau CY, Lamborn KR, Chang S, Park E, Wara WM, Larson DA. Relationship between pattern of enhancement and local control of brain metastases after radiosurgery. Int. J. Radiation Oncology, Biol. Phys. 50:139-146, 2001.

Hoffman R, Sneed PK, McDermott MW, Chang S, Lamborn KR, Park E, Wara WM, Larson DA. Radiosurgery for brain metastases from primary lung carcinoma. Cancer Journal, 7:121-131, 2001.

Pirzkall A, McKnight TR, Graves EE, Carol MP, Sneed PK, Wara WM, Nelson SJ, Verhey LJ, Larson DA. MR-spectroscopy guided target delineation for high-grade gliomas. Int. J. Radiation Oncology, Biol. Phys. 50:915-928, 2001.

Barker FG, Simmons ML, Chang SM, Prados MD, Larson DA, Sneed PK, Wara WM, Berger MS, Chen P, Israel MA, Aldape KD. EGFR Overexpression and radiation response in glioblastoma multiforme. Int. J. Radiation Oncology, Biol. Phys. 51:410-418, 2001.

Nakamura JL, Verhey LJ, Smith V, Petti P, Lamborn KR, Larson DA, Wara WM, McDermott MW, Sneed PK. Dose conformity of Gamma Knife radiosurgery and risk factors for complications. Int. J. Radiation Oncology, Biol. Phys. 51:1313-1319, 2001.

Pirzkall A, Nelson SJ, McKnight TR, Takahashi MM, Li X, Graves EE, Verhey LJ, Wara WM, Larson DA, Sneed PK. Metabolic imaging of low-grade gliomas with three-dimensional magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Int. J. Radiation Oncology, Biol. Phys. 53:1254-1264, 2002.

Smyth MD, Sneed PK, Ciricillo SF, Edwards MS, Wara WM, Larson DA, Lawton MT, Gutin PH, McDermott MW. Stereotactic radiosurgery for pediatric intracranial arteriovenous malformations: The UCSF experience. Jrnl of Neurosrg 97:48-55, 2002.

Larson DA, Prados M, Lamborn KR, Smith V, Sneed PK, Chang S, Nicholas KM, Wara WM, Devriendt D, Kunwar S, Berger M and McDermott M. Phase II study of high central dose gamma knife radiosurgery and marimastat in patients with recurrent malignant glioma. Int. J. Radiation Oncology, Biol. Phys. 54:1397-1404, 2002.

Nakamura JL, Pirzkall A, Carol MP, Xia P, Smith V, Wara WM, Petti PL, Verhey LJ,and Sneed PK. Comparison of intensity –modulated radiosurgery with Gamma Knife radiosurgery for challenging skull base lesions. Int. J. Radiation Oncology, Biol. Phys. 55:99-109, 2003.

Haas-Kogan D, Missett BT, Wara WM, Donaldson SS, Lamborn KR, Prados M, Fisher PG, Huhn SL, Fisch BM, Berger MS, Le QT. Radiation therapy for intracranial germ cell tumors. Int. J. Radiation Oncology, Biol. Phys. 56:511-518, 2003.

Ware ML, Larson DA, Sneed PK, Wara WM, McDermott MW. Surgical resection and permanent brachytherapy for recurrent atypical and malignant meningioma. Neurosurgery, 54:55, 2004.

Larson DA, Suplica JM, Chang SM, Lamborn, KR, McDermott MW, Sneed PK, Prados MD, Wara WM, Nocholas MK, Berger MS. Permanent iodine 125 brachytherapy in patients with progressive or recurrent glioblastoma multiforme. Neuro-Oncology (6), 2004.

Chang SM, Lamborn KR, Malec M, Larson D, Wara W, Sneed P, Rabbit J, Page M, Nicholas MK, Prados M. Phase II study of temozolomide and thalidomide with radiation therapy for newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme. Int. J. Radiation Oncology, Biol. Phys. 60(2): 353-357, 2004.

Butowski N, Prados M, Lamborn K, Larson DA, Sneed P, Wara WM, Malec M, Rabbitt J, Page M. A phase II study of concurrent temozolomide and cis-retinoic acid with radiation for adult patients with newly diagnosed supratentorial glioblastoma. Int. J. Radiation Oncology, Biol. Phys. 61(5):1454-1459, 2005.

Sneed PK, Larson DA, Wara WM. Radiotherapy for cerebral metastases. Neurosurgery Clinics of North America, 7(3), 505-515, 1996.

Prados MD,Wara W, Edwards MSB, Ater J, Rabbit J, Lamborn K, Davis R, Levin VA. Treatment of high-risk medulloblastoma and other primitive neuroectodermal tumors with reduced dose craniospinal radiation therapy and multi-agent nitrosourea-based chemotherapy. Pediatr Neurosurg 25:174-181, 1997.

Bauman GS, Wara WM, Ciricillo SF, Davis RL, Zoger S, Edwards MSB. Primary intracerebral osteosarcoma: a case report. Journal of Neuro-Oncology 32:209-213, 1997.

Shiau CY, Sneed PK, Shu HKG, Lamborn KR, McDermott MW, Chang S, Nowak P, Petti PL, Smith V, Verhey LJ, Ho M, Park E, Wara WM, Gutin PH, Larson DA. Radiosurgery for brain metastases: relationship of dose and pattern of enhancement to local control. International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics, 37(2):375-383, 1997.

Eng TY, Albright NW, Akazawa CN, Wara WM, Larson DA. High dose small field reirradiation of brain tumors. US Army Med Dept Jrnl, PB8-97-5/6: 25-33, 1997.

Le QT, Weil MD, Wara WM, Lamborn K, Prados MD, Edwards MSB, Gutin PH. Adult medulloblastoma: An analysis of survival and prognostic factors. Cancer J Sci Am, 3(4): 238-245, 1998.

Prados MD, Larson DA, Lamborn K, McDermott MW, Sneed PK, Wara WM, Chang SM, Mack EE, Krouwer HGJ, Chandler KL, Warnick RE, Davis RL, Rabbitt JE, Malec MK, Levin VA, Gutin PH, Phillips TL, Wilson CB. Radiation therapy and hydroxyurea followed by the combination of 6-Thioguanine and BCNU for the treatment of primary malignant brain tumors. International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics, 40:1, 57-63, 1998.

Sneed PK, Stauffer PR, McDermott MW, Diedrich CJ, Lamborn KR, Prados MD, Chang SC, Weaver KA, Spry L, Malec MK, Lamb SA, Voss B, Davis RL, Wara WM, Larson DA, Phillips TL, Gutin PH. Survival benefit of hyperthermia in a prospective randomized trial of brachytherapy boost and hyperthermia for glioblastoma multiforme. International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics, 40(2), 287-295, 1998.

Weil MD, Lamborn K, Edwards MSB, Wara WM, Influence of a childs sex on medulloblastoma outcome, JAMA, 279:18, 1474-1476, 1998.

Seung S, Sneed PK, McDermott MW, Shu HK, Leong SP, Chang S., Petti PL, Smith V, Verhey LJ, Wara WM, Phillips TL, Larson DA. Gamma Knife radiosurgery for malignant melanoma brain metastases. Cancer J Sci Am, 4:103-109, 1998.

Bauman GS, Brett CM, Ciricillo SF, Larson DA, Sneed P, Stalpers LJA, Edwards M, Wara WM. Anesthesia for Pediatric Stereotactic Radiosurgery. Anesthesiology, 89:255-257, 1998.

Prados MD, Edwards MSB, Chang SM, Russo C, Davis R, Rabbitt J, Page M, Lamborn K, Wara WM. Hyperfractionated craniospinal radiation therapy for primitive neuroectodermal tumors: Results of a phase II study. International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics, 43:279-285, 1999.

Sneed PK, Lamborn KR, Forstner JM, McDermott MW, Chang S, Park E, Gutin PH, Phillips TL, Wara WM, Larson DA. Radiosurgery for brain metastases: Is whole brain radiotherapy necessary?. International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics, 43:549-558, 1999.

Tsao MN, Wara WM, Larson DA. Radiation therapy for benign central nervous system disease. Seminars in Radiation Oncology, 9:120-133, 1999.

Miyawaki L, Dowd C, Wara W, Goldsmith B, Albright N, Gutin P, Halbach V, Hieshima G, Higashida R, Lulu B, Pitts L, Schell M, Smith V, Weaver K, Wilson C, Larson D. Five year results of linac radiosurgery for arteriovenous malformations: Outcome for large AVMs. Int. J. Radiation Oncology Biol. Phys., 44:1089-1106, 1999.

Packer RJ, Goldwein J, Nicholson HS, Vezina LG, Allen JC, Ris D, Muraszko K, Rorke LB, Wara WM, Cohen BH, Boyett JM. Treatment of children with medulloblastomas with reduced-dose craniospinal radiation therapy and adjuvant chemotherapy: A Children's Cancer Group Study. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 17:2127-2136, 1999.

Bauman G, Lote K, Larson D, Stalpers L, Leighton C, Wara W, Macdonald D, Stitt L, Cairncross JG. Pre-treatment factors predict overall survival for patients with low grade glioma: A recursive partitioning analysis. Int. J. Radiation Oncology, Biol. Phys., 45:923-929, 1999.

Haas-Kogan D, Fisch BM, Wara WM, Swift PS, Farmer DL, Harrison MR, Albanese C, Weinberg V, Matthay KK. Intraoperative radiation therapy for high-risk pediatric neuroblastoma. Int. J. Radiation Oncology, Biol. Phys.,47:985-992, 2000.

Levin VA, Lamborn K, Wara W, Davis R, Edwards M, Rabbitt J, Malec M, Prados M. Phase II study of 6-thioguanine, procarbazine, dibromodulcitol, lomustine, and vincristine chemotherapy with radiotherapy for treating malignant glioma in children. Neuro-Oncology, 2:22-28, 2000.

Ojemann SG, Sneed PK, Larson DA, Gutin PH, Berger MS, Verhey L, Wara W, Smith V, Petti P, Park E, McDermott MW. Radiosurgery for malignant meningioma: Results in 22 patients. Journal of Neurosurgery, 93(suppl 3):62-67-2000.

Prados MD, Wara WM, Sneed PK, McDermott M, Chang SM, Rabbitt J, Page M, Malec M, Davis RL, Gutin PH, Lamborn K, Wilson CB, Phillips TL, Larson DA. Phase III trial of accelerated hyperfractionation with or without difluromethylornithine (DFMO) versus standard fractionated radiotherapy with or without DFMO for new diagnosed patients with glioblastoma multiforme. Int. J. Radiation Oncology, Biol. Phys., 49:71-77, 2001.

Bertucio CS, Wara WM, Matthay KK, Ablin AR, Johnston JO, OíDonnell RJ, Weinberg V, Haas-Kogan DA. Functional and clinical outcomes of limb-sparing therapy for pediatric extremity sarcomas. Int. J. Radiation Oncology, Biol. Phys., 49:763-769, 2001.

Goodman KA, Sneed PK, McDermott MW, Shiau CY, Lamborn KR, Chang S, Park E, Wara WM, Larson DA. Relationship between pattern of enhancement and local control of brain metastases after radiosurgery. Int. J. Radiation Oncology, Biol. Phys. 50:139-146, 2001.

Hoffman R, Sneed PK, McDermott MW, Chang S, Lamborn KR, Park E, Wara WM, Larson DA. Radiosurgery for brain metastases from primary lung carcinoma. Cancer Journal, 7:121-131, 2001.

Pirzkall A, McKnight TR, Graves EE, Carol MP, Sneed PK, Wara WM, Nelson SJ, Verhey LJ, Larson DA. MR-spectroscopy guided target delineation for high-grade gliomas. Int. J. Radiation Oncology, Biol. Phys. 50:915-928, 2001.

Barker FG, Simmons ML, Chang SM, Prados MD, Larson DA, Sneed PK, Wara WM, Berger MS, Chen P, Israel MA, Aldape KD. EGFR Overexpression and radiation response in glioblastoma multiforme. Int. J. Radiation Oncology, Biol. Phys. 51:410-418, 2001.

Nakamura JL, Verhey LJ, Smith V, Petti P, Lamborn KR, Larson DA, Wara WM, McDermott MW, Sneed PK. Dose conformity of Gamma Knife radiosurgery and risk factors for complications. Int. J. Radiation Oncology, Biol. Phys. 51:1313-1319, 2001.

Pirzkall A, Nelson SJ, McKnight TR, Takahashi MM, Li X, Graves EE, Verhey LJ, Wara WM, Larson DA, Sneed PK. Metabolic imaging of low-grade gliomas with three-dimensional magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Int. J. Radiation Oncology, Biol. Phys. 53:1254-1264, 2002.

Smyth MD, Sneed PK, Ciricillo SF, Edwards MS, Wara WM, Larson DA, Lawton MT, Gutin PH, McDermott MW. Stereotactic radiosurgery for pediatric intracranial arteriovenous malformations: The UCSF experience. Jrnl of Neurosrg 97:48-55, 2002.

Larson DA, Prados M, Lamborn KR, Smith V, Sneed PK, Chang S, Nicholas KM, Wara WM, Devriendt D, Kunwar S, Berger M and McDermott M. Phase II study of high central dose gamma knife radiosurgery and marimastat in patients with recurrent malignant glioma. Int. J. Radiation Oncology, Biol. Phys. 54:1397-1404, 2002.

Nakamura JL, Pirzkall A, Carol MP, Xia P, Smith V, Wara WM, Petti PL, Verhey LJ,and Sneed PK. Comparison of intensity ñmodulated radiosurgery with Gamma Knife radiosurgery for challenging skull base lesions. Int. J. Radiation Oncology, Biol. Phys. 55:99-109, 2003.

Haas-Kogan D, Missett BT, Wara WM, Donaldson SS, Lamborn KR, Prados M, Fisher PG, Huhn SL, Fisch BM, Berger MS, Le QT. Radiation therapy for intracranial germ cell tumors. Int. J. Radiation Oncology, Biol. Phys. 56:511-518, 2003.