Isidora Arzu
Department of Radiation Oncology, Division of Radiation Oncology
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Professor, Department of Radiation Oncology, Division of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Sugar Land, Houston, Texas
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Professor, Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Sugar Land, Houston, Texas
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 1998 | University of Texas Medical Branch @ Galveston, Galveston, TX, US, Medicine, MD |
| 1988 | Rice University, Houston, TX, US, Organic Chemistry, PhD |
| 1980 | Beloit College, Beloit, WI, US, General Chemistry, BS |
Postgraduate Training
| 1999-2003 | Resident, Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas |
| 1998-1999 | Resident Trainee, Internal Medicine/Gynecology, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Lyndon Baines Johnson Hospital, Houston, Texas |
Board Certifications
| 2024 | American Board of Radiology |
Experience & Service
Academic Appointments
Associate Professor, Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2010 - 2019
Assistant Professor, Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, SugarLand, Texas, 2003 - 2010
Other Appointments/Responsibilities
Co-Facilitator, Service Excellence Module 3, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2018 - Present
Physician Leader, Patient Experience, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2017 - Present
Director, Education for Regional Care Center Physicians, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, SugarLand, TX, 2014 - Present
Member, MD Anderson Cancer Center Diversity Council, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2014 - Present
Coordinator, XRT Research Protocols for Regional Care Centers, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, SugarLand, TX, 2013 - 2015
Member, CHI St. Luke's Hospital, Utilization Review Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Sugar Land, Houston, TX, 2013 - Present
Member, CHI St. Luke's Hospital, Credentialing Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Sugar Land, Houston, TX, 2013 - Present
Member, Regional Care Centers Research Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2013 - 2015
Member, Sugarland Tumor Board Planning Committee Meeting, CHI St. Luke's Hospital/MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2011 - Present
Member, Internal Medicine Committee, CHI St. Luke's Hospital, Sugar Land, Houston, TX, 2009 - Present
Voting Member, Medical Executive Committee, Oak Bend Medical Center, Sugar Land, Houston, TX, 2008 - 2010
Chair, Cancer Committee, Oak Bend Medical Center, Sugar Land, Houston, TX, 2008 - 2010
Member, Internal Medicine Committee, Oak Bend Medical Center, Sugar Land, Houston, TX, 2006 - Present
Chair, Ethics committee, Oak Bend Medical Center, Sugar Land, Houston, TX, 2006 - 2009
Physician Liaison, Oak Bend Medical Center Cancer Committee, Oak Bend Medical Center, Sugar Land, Houston, TX, 2005 - 2008
Member, National Medical Association
Member, American Radium Society
Member, American Society of Clinical Oncology
Member, American Medical Association
Member, American Society of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology
Institutional Committee Activities
Member, MD Anderson Cancer Center Diversity Council, 2014 - Present
Member, Diversity Council, 2014 - Present
Member, MD Anderson Cancer Center Regional Care Centers Research Committee, 2013 - 2015
Member, CHI St. Luke's Hospital Credentialing Committee, 2013 - Present
Member, CHI St. Luke's Hospital Utilization Review Committee, 2013 - Present
Member, CHI St. Luke's Hospital/MD Anderson Cancer Center - Sugarland Tumor Board Planning Committee Meeting, 2011 - Present
Member, CHI St. Luke's Hospital Internal Medicine Committee, 2009 - Present
Voting Member, Oak Bend Medical Center Medical Executive Committee, 2008 - 2010
Chair, Oak Bend Medical Center Cancer Committee, 2008 - 2010
Chair, Oak Bend Medical Center Ethics Committee, 2006 - 2009
Member, Oak Bend Medical Center Internal Medicine Committee, 2006 - Present
Physician Liaison, Oak Bend Medical Center Cancer Committee, 2005 - 2008
Resident Representative, ACGME Site Visit, 2002 - 2003
Resident Reviewer, ACGME Clinical Chemical Pathology Accreditation, 2002 - 2003
Resident Representative, Faculty Liaison Committee, 2001 - 2002
Honors & Awards
| 2019 | Luis Delclos Excellence in Teaching Award, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 1996 | Who's Who among Students in American Universities and Colleges |
| 1995 | Sigma Xi (Research Society) |
| 1983 | Phi Lambda Epsilon (Chemistry Honor Society), Rice University |
| 1983 | Iota Sigma Pi (Chemistry Honor Society), Rice University |
| 1980 | Merck Index Award (General Chemistry), Beloit College |
Professional Memberships
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Jacomina LE, Swanson DM, Mitchell MP, Woodward WA, Smith BD, Hoffman KE, Goodman CR, Garber HR, Sun SX, Yap TA, Meric-Bernstam F, Arzu IY, Bloom ES, Schlembach PJ, Strom EA, Stauder MC, Shaitelman SF. Outcomes After Palliative Radiation Therapy in Patients With Symptomatic Locoregionally Advanced Breast Cancer. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 39549757.
- Ludmir EB, Hoffman KE, Jhingran A, Kouzy R, Ip MP, Sturdevant L, Ning MS, Minsky BD, McAleer MF, Chronowski GM, Arzu IY, Reed VK, Garg AK, Roberts T, Eastwick GA, Olson MR, Selek U, Gabel M, Koong AC, Kupferman ME, Kuban DA. Implementation and Efficacy of a Large-Scale Radiation Oncology Case-Based Peer-Review Quality Program across a Multinational Cancer Network. Pract Radiat Oncol 14(3):e173-e179, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38176466.
- Reddy JP, Lei X, Bloom ES, Reed VK, Schlembach PJ, Arzu I, Mayo L, Chun SG, Ahmad NR, Stauder MC, Gopal R, Kaiser K, Fang P, Smith BD, Investigators OT. Optimizing Preventive Adjuvant Linac-Based (OPAL) Radiation: A Phase 2 Trial of Daily Partial Breast Irradiation. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 115(3):629-644, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 36216274.
- Andring LM, Diao K, Sun S, Patel M, Whitman GJ, Schlembach P, Arzu I, Joyner MM, Shaitelman SF, Hoffman K, Stauder MC, Smith BD, Woodward WA. Locoregional Management and Prognostic Factors in Breast Cancer With Ipsilateral Internal Mammary and Axillary Lymph Node Involvement. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 113(3):552-560, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35248602.
- Corrigan KL, Lei X, Ahmad N, Arzu I, Bloom E, Chun SG, Goodman C, Hoffman KE, Joyner M, Mayo L, Mitchell M, Nead KT, Perkins GH, Reed V, Reddy JP, Schlembach P, Shaitelman SF, Stauder MC, Strom EA, Tereffe W, Wiederhold L, Woodward WA, Smith BD. Adoption of Ultrahypofractionated Radiation Therapy in Patients With Breast Cancer. Adv Radiat Oncol 7(2):100877, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35387420.
- Weng JK, Lei X, Schlembach P, Bloom ES, Shaitelman SF, Arzu IY, Chronowski G, Dvorak T, Grade E, Hoffman K, Perkins G, Reed VK, Shah SJ, Stauder MC, Strom EA, Tereffe W, Woodward WA, Hortobagyi GN, Hunt KK, Buchholz TA, Smith BD. Five-Year Longitudinal Analysis of Patient-Reported Outcomes and Cosmesis in a Randomized Trial of Conventionally Fractionated Versus Hypofractionated Whole-Breast Irradiation. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 111(2):360-370, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33992718.
- Ludmir EB, Adlakha EK, Chun SG, Reed VK, Arzu IY, Ahmad N, Bloom E, Chronowski GM, Delclos ME, Mayo LL, Schlembach PJ, Liao Z, Koong AC, Herman JM, Shah SJ. Enhancing clinical trial enrollment at MD Anderson Cancer Center satellite community campuses. Acta Oncol 58(8):1135-1137, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 30958082.
- Ning MS, Dean MK, Taylor KA, Arzu I, Fleming ND, Mutyala N, Suresh P, Lewis MA, Tu J, Hassid VJ, Joe T, Byler C, Bloom ES, Shah S. Evaluation and Improvement of Bottlenecking in a Multidisciplinary Oncology Clinic: An Electronic Medical Record Intervention. Cureus 11(5):e4583, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31309008.
- Stecklein SR, Shaitelman SF, Babiera GV, Bedrosian I, Black DM, Ballo MT, Arzu I, Strom EA, Reed VK, Dvorak T, Smith BD, Woodward WA, Hoffman KE, Schlembach PJ, Kirsner SM, Nelson CL, Yang J, Guerra W, Dibaj S, Bloom ES. Prospective Comparison of Toxicity and Cosmetic Outcome After Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation With Conformal External Beam Radiotherapy or Single-Entry Multilumen Intracavitary Brachytherapy. Pract Radiat Oncol 9(1):e4-e13, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 30125673.
- Reed V, Kaw A, Patel H, Arzu I, Mayo L, Cohen L, Rosenthal D, Shah S. Employee Physical Activity in an Outpatient Oncology Clinic: A Baseline Pilot Study. Cureus 10(12):e3803, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 30868017.
- Shaitelman SF, Lei X, Thompson A, Schlembach P, Bloom ES, Arzu IY, Buchholz D, Chronowski G, Dvorak T, Grade E, Hoffman K, Perkins G, Reed VK, Shah SJ, Stauder MC, Strom EA, Tereffe W, Woodward WA, Amaya DN, Shen Y, Hortobagyi GN, Hunt KK, Buchholz TA, Smith BD. Three-Year Outcomes With Hypofractionated Versus Conventionally Fractionated Whole-Breast Irradiation: Results of a Randomized, Noninferiority Clinical Trial. J Clin Oncol 36(35):JCO1800317. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 30379626.
- Shaitelman SF, Schlembach PJ, Arzu I, Ballo M, Bloom ES, Buchholz D, Chronowski GM, Dvorak T, Grade E, Hoffman KE, Kelly P, Ludwig M, Perkins GH, Reed V, Shah S, Stauder MC, Strom EA, Tereffe W, Woodward WA, Ensor J, Baumann D, Thompson AM, Amaya D, Davis T, Guerra W, Hamblin L, Hortobagyi G, Hunt KK, Buchholz TA, Smith BD. Acute and Short-term Toxic Effects of Conventionally Fractionated vs Hypofractionated Whole-Breast Irradiation: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Oncol 1(7):931-41, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 26247543.
- Youssef B, Shank J, Reddy JP, Pinnix CC, Farha G, Akhtari M, Allen PK, Fanale MA, Garcia JA, Horace PH, Milgrom S, Smith GL, Nieto Y, Arzu I, Wang H, Fowler N, Rodriguez MA, Dabaja B. Incidence and predictors of Lhermitte's sign among patients receiving mediastinal radiation for lymphoma. Radiat Oncol 10:206, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 26407853.
- Pinnix CC, Smith GL, Milgrom S, Osborne EM, Reddy JP, Akhtari M, Reed V, Arzu I, Allen PK, Wogan CF, Fanale MA, Oki Y, Turturro F, Romaguera J, Fayad L, Fowler N, Westin J, Nastoupil L, Hagemeister FB, Rodriguez MA, Ahmed S, Nieto Y, Dabaja B. Predictors of radiation pneumonitis in patients receiving intensity modulated radiation therapy for Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 92(1):175-82, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 25863764.
- Tao R, Allen PK, Rodriguez A, Shihadeh F, Pinnix CC, Arzu I, Reed VK, Oki Y, Westin JR, Fayad LE, Medeiros LJ, Dabaja B. Benefit of consolidative radiation therapy for primary bone diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 92(1):122-9, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 25754633.
- Walker GV, Shihadeh F, Kantarjian H, Allen P, Rondon G, Kebriaei P, O'Brien S, Kedir A, Said M, Grant JD, Thomas DA, Gidley PW, Arzu I, Pinnix C, Reed V, Dabaja BS. Comprehensive craniospinal radiation for controlling central nervous system leukemia. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 90(5):1119-25, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 25539370.
- Haque W, Voong KR, Shihadeh F, Arzu I, Pinnix C, Mazloom A, Medeiros LJ, Romaguera J, Rodriguez A, Wang M, Allen P, Dabaja B. Radiation therapy is an effective modality in the treatment of mantle cell lymphoma, even in heavily pretreated patients. Clin Lymphoma Myeloma Leuk 14(6):474-9, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 25108680.
- Dabaja BS, Hess K, Shihadeh F, Podoloff DA, Medeiros LJ, Mawlawi O, Arzu I, Oki Y, Hagemeister FB, Fayad LE, Reed VK, Kedir A, Wogan CF, Rodriguez A. Positron emission tomography/computed tomography findings during therapy predict outcome in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma treated with chemotherapy alone but not in those who receive consolidation radiation. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 89(2):384-91, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 24721592.
- Voong KR, McSpadden K, Pinnix CC, Shihadeh F, Reed V, Salehpour MR, Arzu I, Wang H, Hodgson D, Garcia J, Aristophanous M, Dabaja BS. Dosimetric advantages of a "butterfly" technique for intensity-modulated radiation therapy for young female patients with mediastinal Hodgkin's lymphoma. Radiat Oncol 9:94, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 24735767.
Other Articles
- Ballo MT, Chronowski GM, Schlembach PJ, Bloom ES, Arzu IY, Kuban DA Prospective peer review quality assurance for outpatient radiation therapy. Pract Radiat Oncol 4(5):279-284, 2014. PMID: 25194094.
Selected Presentations & Talks
Local Presentations
- 2018. How to become a Physician. Invited. Harmony Science Academy, Houston, TX. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2018. Oncology As a Career. Invited. Texas Southern University, Houston, TX. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2018. Radiation Oncology as a career to Undergraduate Students. Invited. St. Thomas University, Houston, TX. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2018. Careers in Radiation. Invited. Houston Baptist University, Houston, TX. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2017. Texas Southern University Physician Panelist. Panelist. Texas Southern University, Houston. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2016. Houston Breast Cancer Disparities Roundtable. Panelist. Susan G. Komen Foundation, Houston, TX. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2013. Ask a Cancer Doctor a Question. Invited. Sugar Land United Methodist Church, Sugar Land, TX. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2012. In Pursuit of the Known Killer. Invited. KOCH - Invited Guest Commentator, Houston, TX. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2011. Reducing Cancer Risks. Invited. TADI, Houston, TX. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2011. Reducing Your Cancer Risk. Invited. Contract Land Staffing, Sugar Land, TX. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2011. Reducing Cancer Risks in Men. Invited. Shell Oil Research Group, Houston, TX. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2010. Cancer Support Group Presentation. Invited. St. Laurence Catholic Church, Sugar Land, TX. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2007. Living with Advanced Breast Cancer. Invited. Sister's Network Local Conference. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2006. Recent Advances in Radiation Oncology. Invited. Sugar Land Exchange Club, Sugar Land, TX. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2005. Recent Advances in Radiation Oncology. Invited. Lamar Consolidated Teachers Meeting, Lamar Consolidated School District, Richmond, TX. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2005. Radiation Oncology, Recent Advances in Radiation Oncology. Poster. Sugar Land Methodist Church, Cancer Survivor Network, Sugar Land, TX. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2005. Radiation Oncology, Radiation Oncology: Recent Advances. Poster. Rosenberg Rotary Club, Rosenberg, TX. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2005. Radiation Oncology in the Community. Poster. Rosenberg First Baptist Church, Rosenberg, TX. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2005. Living with Breast Cancer. Poster. Sister's Network Monthly Meeting, Sister's Network Local Chapter, Sister's Network, Houston, TX. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2005. Radiation Oncology, Radiation Oncology in the Community, Sienna Business Club. Poster. Sienna Plantation Business Club, Missouri City, TX. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2004. Radiation Oncology Complications, Grand Rounds. Poster. Oak Bend Continuing Education, Oak Bend Medical Center, Richmond, TX. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2004. Radiation Oncology, Experienced Citizen. Poster. St Teresa's Health Ministry, Sugar Land, TX. Houston, Texas, US.
Regional Presentations
- 2006. Radiation Oncology Panelist, Sister's Network 8th Annual African American Breast Cancer Conference. Panelist. Sister's Network 8th Annual African American Breast Cancer Conference. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2003. Field in Field Tangent Technique Improves Radiation Dose Homogeneity in Breast Conservation. Poster. American Radium Society, Houston, TX. Houston, TX, US.
- 1995. Effects of Glutamic Acid on HSP-70 in Rat IEC-6 Cells. Poster. The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 1995. Galveston, TX, US.
National Presentations
- 2000. Stage I Medically Inoperable Non-small Cell Lung Cancer. Invited. Radiological Society of North America, Chicago, IL. Chicago, IL, US.
International Presentations
- 2024. Let's Talk Cancer. Panelist. Let's Talk Cancer Forum. Belize City, BZ.
- 2014. Honduras Breast and Gyn Tumor Board. Poster. ASCO International Cancer Corps (Health Volunteers Overseas), Tegucigalpa, Honduras, 10/23/2014. Tegucigalpa, HN.
- 2013. Reducing Your Cancer Risks. Poster. ASCO International Cancer Corps (Health Volunteers Overseas), Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Tegucigalpa, HN.
- 2011. Management of Radiation Side Effects in the Cancer Patient. Invited. Symposium on the Management of the Cancer Patient, Central America, Belize. Belize City, BZ.
- 2010. Radiation Oncology Emergencies, Reaching New Heights in Emergency Medicine. Invited. 29th Belize Medical and Dental Association International Congress. Belize City, BZ.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified March 20, 2025