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Specialty:: Radiation Oncology
Department Affiliation:: Radiation Oncology
State License:: A60934
Phone:: 818-885-5331
Health Plans:: Accepted Plans

About Me

Dr. Safa has practiced at Northridge Hospital Medical Center for over 14 years where he serves as the Chair of the Cancer Committee and the Medical Director of the Harold and Carole Pump Radiation Oncology Department. Dr. Safa has expertise in IMRT, IGRT, SBRT, Gamma Knife Stereotactic Radiosurgery, and Brachytherapy. He is recognized in Super Doctors® and Best Doctors in America for over 11 years.

Professional Societies:

Chair, Code Utilization Committee-American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO)
Past President-Los Angeles Radiological Society (LARS)

Links

radonc.ucla.edu

Primary Office: Harold and Carole Pump Radiation Oncology Department
18300 Roscoe Blvd.
Northridge, CA 91328
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Phone: 818-885-5331

Medical Board Certifications: Radiation Oncology, American Board of Radiology, 2000
Residency: Radiation Oncology, UCLA Dept of Radiation Oncology, 1996-2000
Internship: Internal Medicine, UCSD Department of Medicine, 1995-1996
Degree: UC San Diego School of Medicine, MD, 1995

Interests

Advanced Malignancies
Bladder Cancer
Bladder Cancer: Introduction
The bladder is a hollow organ in the lower pelvis. The bladder wall is made up of many layers of cells. It has an outer layer of muscle cells, and an inner lining layer of other kinds of cells. Bladder cancer can affect any one or all of these cells.
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Brain Tumor
Brain Tumors: Introduction
A brain tumor is an abnormal growth of tissue in the brain. There are 2 main types of brain tumors - Primary tumor starts in the brain. The Secondary (metastatic) tumor is from a cancer that starts in another part of the body, then spreads to the brain.
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Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer: Introduction
Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in women in the U.S. Once breast cancer occurs, cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body, making it life-threatening. The good news is that breast cancer is often found early, before it has spread.
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Cancers of the Digestive Tract
Clinical Trials
Functional Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (Functional IGRT)
Gastrointestinal Malignancies
General Radiation Oncology
Therapeutic Radiology Overview
Therapeutic radiology is also called radiation oncology or radiation therapy. It is the treatment of cancer and other diseases with radiation. Radiation in many forms is used to kill the cancer cells by preventing them from multiplying. Therapeutic radiology may be used to cure or control cancer. Or it may be used to ease some of the symptoms linked to cancer.
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Genitourinary
Home Page - Genitourinary and Kidney Disorders
Learn more about genitourinary and kidney disorders in children, including Anatomy of the Urinary System, Overview of Kidney Disorders.
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Gynecologic Oncology
Gynecological Cancers
Detailed information on the most common types of gynecological cancers, including symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment. There are several different types of gynecological cancer require the care of a health care provider. A brief overview of Cervical Cancer, Endometrial Cancer, Ovarian Cancer, Uterine Cancer, Vaginal Cancer, Vulvar Cancer is provided.
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Head and Neck Cancers
Head and Neck Cancer: Introduction
Head and neck cancer is the term given to cancers that start in the head and neck region. There are many different types of tissues in this area. Your healthcare provider can help you understand more about this cancer and the exact type you have.
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Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)
Interstitial Brachytherapy
Brachytherapy
Brachytherapy is radiation treatment that is given inside the patient, as close to the cancer as possible. The radiation is delivered to the body site with radioactive isotopes inside wires, seeds, or rods. These devices are called implants.
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Lung Cancer
Lung Cancer: Introduction
Lung cancer is cancer that starts in the lungs. Lung cancer is divided into two main types: non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). These types grow and spread differently. They are often treated in different ways.
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Lymphoma
Lymphomas
There are many types of lymphomas that require clinical care by a physician or other healthcare professional. Detailed information on lymphomas, including Hodgkin's lymphoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
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Melanoma
Melanoma: Diagnosis
If your healthcare provider thinks you might have melanoma, you will likely need certain exams and tests to be sure. Your healthcare provider will take a close look at any suspicious moles or other marks on your skin.
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Multimodality Cancer Therapy
Multiple Myeloma
Multiple Myeloma: Introduction
Multiple myeloma is cancer that starts in your bone marrow. Specifically, it starts in plasma cells. In multiple myeloma, normal plasma cells go through a series of changes. This can eventually cause excess cell growth. It can also cause tumors to form in your bones.
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Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic Cancer: Introduction
Pancreatic cancer often grows within the pancreas for a long time before it causes any symptoms. If the cancer grows outside the pancreas, it often goes into the nearby bile ducts and lymph nodes in your belly (abdomen). In some cases, it spreads to other nearby areas.
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Prostate Brachytherapy
Prostate Cancer: Internal Radiation Therapy (Brachytherapy)
Prostate cancer may be treated with radiation therapy. It is also called radiotherapy. It works by sending radiation to the cancer sites. This can kill cancer cells or stop them from growing. A radiation oncologist - a doctor who specializes in treating cancer with radiation therapy - will create a treatment plan for you.
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Prostate Cancer
Prostate Cancer: Introduction
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men (not counting skin cancer) in the U.S. It tends to occur mainly in older men. In most cases prostate cancer is found before it has spread to other parts of the body. Cancer that hasn’t spread is easier to treat and cure.
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Rectal Cancer
Anal Cancer: Diagnosis
To determine if you might have anal cancer, you will need certain exams and tests to be sure. Diagnosing anal cancer starts with your healthcare provider asking you questions. You will be asked about your health history, your symptoms, risk factors, and family history of disease. He or she will also do a physical exam. This includes a digital rectal exam (DRE). During a DRE, your healthcare provider puts a gloved, lubricated finger into your rectum. He or she checks for hard or lumpy areas.
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Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT)
Liver Cancer: Radiation Therapy
Radiation for liver cancer is given in two main ways: external, with a machine, and internally, with radioactive beads. To plan your entire treatment strategy, you will talk with a team of cancer specialists. This might include a surgeon, radiation oncologist, and medical oncologist.
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Stereotactic Radiosurgery
Gamma Knife Radiosurgery
Gamma Knife uses very precise beams of gamma rays to treat an area of disease (lesion) or growth (tumor). It’s most often used in the brain.
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Research Interests

Gamma Knife Stereotactic Radiosurgery
Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (Trilogy)
Respiratory Motion Management(GI, Lung)
Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT)
Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT)
Brachytherapy

Publications

Weng E, Rege S, Safa A, Sadeghi A, Juillard G, Mark R, Santiago S, Brown C, Mendelkern M, Tran L. Accuracy and Clinical Impact of Mediastinal Lymph Node Staging with FDG-PET Imaging in Potentially Resectable Lung Cancer. American Journal of Clinical Oncology 2000, 23(1):47-52.
Rege S, Safa A, Chaiken L, Hoh C, Juillard G, Withers HR. Positron Emission Tomography: An Independent Indicator of Radiocurability in Head and Neck Carcinomas. American Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2000; 23(2): 164-169.
Weng E, Rege S, Safa A, Sadeghi A, Juillard G, Mark R, Santiago S, Brown C, Mandelken M, Tran L; “Accuracy and clinical impact of mediastinal lymph node staging with FDG-PET imaging in potentially resectable lung cancer.” IJROBP, 1998, 42(1) Supplement: 332. Radiology, 1998, 209(P) Supplement: 163-164.
Lee JT, Chen P, Safa A, Juillard G, Calcaterra TC The role of radiation in the treatment of advanced juvenile angiofibroma. Laryngoscope. 2002 Jul;112(7 Pt 1): 1213-20
Vongtama R, Safa A, Gallardo D, Calcaterra T, Juillard G. Efficacy of radiation therapy in the local control of desmoplastic malignant melanoma. Head Neck. 2003 Jun; 25(6): 423-8.

In The News

Radio-KFWB- NEWS 980 AM- Dangers of Tanning Saloons and risk of skin cancer in young adults.
Radio-KFWB - NEWS 980 AM--Radiation effects on the food chain 3/18/2011
Television KTLA Channel 5 – TV News-3/6/2013--Valerie Harper and Leptomeningeal carcinomatosis.
Television (LIVE) - KCAL Channel 9/ CBS News 3/17/2011-Featured LIVE at 8pm, 9pm and 10pm. Answered questions from Channel 9 TV viewers on general radiation and radiation poisoning in response to the nuclear disaster in Japan.
Radio-KFWB - NEWS 980 AM--Radiation effects on the food chain 3/18/2011
Radio-KFWB - NEWS 980 AM--Iodine dangers and the rush to purchase in the event of a nuclear disaster. 3/17/2011
Radio-KFWB - NEWS 980 AM--Radiation exposure with the nuclear accident in Japan 3/15/2011
Radio-KFWB - NEWS 980 AM--Melanoma treatment. 8/26/10
Radio-KFWB - News 980 AM--Prostate Cancer. 3/16/09
San Fernando Valley Business Journal - Valley Healthcare Leaders- Health Care Rising Star. 12/19/05
Television - KCBS Channel 2 – TV News--Esophageal Cancer and Reflux disease - 10/11/2005
Television - KCAL Channel 9 – TV News--Esophageal Cancer and Reflux disease - 10/10/2005

Awards

Listed in Best Doctors in America 2013 - 2014
Listed in Los Angeles Magazine, Southern California Super Doctors® 2013
Listed in Preeminent Women’s Health Doctors, LA Magazine 2012
Listed in Southern California Super Doctors® 2010 - 2012
Listed in Best Doctors in America, 2007 - 2010
“Top Healthcare Professional in the Valley”. San Fernando Valley Business Journal, 2006
Los Angeles Radiological Society Award for Contribution to the Growth & Development of the society, 2006
Listed in Best Doctors in America, 2003 - 2006

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Bladder Cancer: Introduction

Brain Tumors: Introduction

Breast Cancer: Introduction

Therapeutic Radiology Overview

Home Page - Genitourinary and Kidney Disorders

Gynecological Cancers

Head and Neck Cancer: Introduction

Brachytherapy

Lung Cancer: Introduction

Lymphomas

Melanoma: Diagnosis

Multiple Myeloma: Introduction

Pancreatic Cancer: Introduction

Prostate Cancer: Internal Radiation Therapy (Brachytherapy)

Prostate Cancer: Introduction

Anal Cancer: Diagnosis

Liver Cancer: Radiation Therapy

Gamma Knife Radiosurgery