Thomas H. Beckham, M.D., Ph.D.
Department of CNS - Rad Onc Clinical, Division of Radiation Oncology
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Assistant Professor, Department of Radiation Oncology, Division of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Clinical Clerkship Teaching Professor, University of Houston College of Medicine, Houston, TX
Assistant Professor, Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2015 | Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine, Charleston, South Carolina, US, MD |
| 2013 | Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine, Charleston, South Carolina, US, Molecular Oncology, Ph.D |
| 2007 | Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, US, Genetics, BS |
Postgraduate Training
| 2019-2020 | Chief Resident, Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York |
| 2016-2020 | Clinical Residency, Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York |
| 2015-2016 | Transitional Year Intern, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York |
Board Certifications
| 2020 | American Board of Radiology: Diplomate of Radiation Oncology |
| 2019 | American Board of Radiology: Initial Cert. Physics and Radiation Biology |
| 2008 | NBME Step I, Step II CS and CK, and Step III |
Experience & Service
Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities
CNS Residency Education Director, Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2023 - Present
Associate Director of Gamma Knife Program, Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2023 - Present
Associate Medical Director, Department of Brain and Spine Center, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2023 - Present
Other Appointments/Responsibilities
Resident Education Committee, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 2019 - 2020
Chief Resident, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 2019 - 2020
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Ethics Committee, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 2015 - 2016
Transitional Year Intern, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 2015 - 2016
Institutional Committee Activities
Member, Ride Out Team, 2024 - Present
Member, Scientific Review Committee, 2022 - Present
Member, Data Biospecimine Access Committee, 2022 - Present
Chair, Department of Radiation Oncology CNS/Pediatrics Social Chair, 2022 - Present
Member, Department of Radiation Oncology Faculty Search Committee, 2021 - Present
Honors & Awards
| 2014 | Alpha Omega Alpha, Medical University of South Carolina |
| 2013 | MUSC Student Leadership Society, Medical University of South Carolina |
| 2013 | Department of Defense Prostate Cancer Training Award, Medical University of South Carolina |
| 2012 | Department of Defense Prostate Cancer Training Award, Medical University of South Carolina |
| 2012 | College of Medicine Most Outstanding Student Volunteer, Medical University of South Carolina |
| 2011 | Department of Defense Prostate Cancer Training Award, Medical University of South Carolina |
| 2010 | Hollings Cancer Center Wachovia Scholarship, Medical University of South Carolina |
| 2009 | GAANN Fellowship, Medical University of South Carolina |
| 2009 | Hollings Cancer Center Wachovia Scholarship, Medical University of South Carolina |
| 2008 | Lane Family Scholarship, Medical University of South Carolina |
| 2008 | Suzann Pershing Scholarship, Medical University of South Carolina |
| 2008 | Suzann Pershing Scholarship, Medical University of South Carolina |
| 2008 | Infection and Immunity: Excellence in Writing Award, Medical University of South Carolina |
| 2008 | University Medical Associates MSTP Scholarship, Medical University of South Carolina |
| 2007 | Lane Family Scholarship, Medical University of South Carolina |
| 2007 | Summa Cum Laude, Clemson University |
| 2007 | Clemson University Coca-Cola Scholar, Clemson University |
| 2007 | Abney Foundation Scholar, Clemson University |
| 2007 | South Carolina Palmetto Fellow, Clemson University |
| 2007 | Clemson University President’s List, Clemson University |
| 2007 | Clemson University College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences Outstanding Student, Clemson University |
| 2007 | Clemson University Genetics Program Outstanding Student Award, Clemson University |
| 2007 | Sigma Xi Honorary Member, Clemson University |
| 2007 | Phi Beta Kappa Society Member, Clemson University |
| 2007 | University Medical Associates MSTP Scholarship, Medical University of South Carolina |
| 2007 | Suzann Pershing Scholarship, Medical University of South Carolina |
| 2007 | Suzann Pershing Scholarship, Medical University of South Carolina |
| 2006 | Clemson University President’s List, Clemson University |
| 2006 | Clemson University Coca-Cola Scholar, Clemson University |
| 2006 | Abney Foundation Scholar, Clemson University |
| 2006 | Summa Cum Laude, Clemson University |
| 2006 | South Carolina Palmetto Fellow, Clemson University |
| 2005 | Clemson University President’s List, Clemson University |
| 2005 | Summa Cum Laude, Clemson University |
| 2005 | South Carolina Palmetto Fellow, Clemson University |
| 2005 | Abney Foundation Scholar, Clemson University |
| 2005 | Clemson University Coca-Cola Scholar, Clemson University |
| 2004 | South Carolina Palmetto Fellow, Clemson University |
| 2004 | Summa Cum Laude, Clemson University |
| 2004 | Clemson University Coca-Cola Scholar, Clemson University |
| 2004 | Clemson University President’s List, Clemson University |
| 2004 | Abney Foundation Scholar, Clemson University |
Professional Memberships
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Gallitto M, Sedor G, Lee A, Pasetsky J, Kinslow CJ, Santos GL, Obiri-Yeboah D, Kshettry VR, Helis CA, Chan MD, Beckham TH, McGovern SL, Matsui J, Palmer JD, Bell JB, Mellon EA, Lakomy D, Huang J, Boor I, Rusthoven CG, Sisti MB, Wang TJC. Salvage Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Recurrent WHO Grade 2 and 3 Meningiomas: A Multicenter Study (STORM). Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 120(3):730-737, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38641234.
- Florez MA, De B, Kowalchuk R, Tang C, Bishop AJ, Kouzy R, Amini B, Briere T, Beckham TH, Wang C, Li J, Tatsui CE, Rhines LD, Brown PD, Merrell K, Ghia AJ. Validation of the prognostic index for spine metastasis (PRISM) for stratifying survival in patients treated with spinal stereotactic body radiation. Radiother Oncol 201(None):110570, 2024. PMID: 39362605.
- Tom MC, Komatineni S, Wang C, de Almeida RAA, Ghia AJ, Beckham TH, Perni S, McAleer MF, Swanson T, Yeboa DN, De BS, Rooney MK, Bishop AJ, Reddy JP, Yang Y, Ludmir EB, Zhang S, Amini B, Alvarez-Breckenridge C, North RY, Rhines LD, Li J, Tatsui CE. Spinal laser interstitial thermal therapy and radiotherapy for thoracic metastatic epidural spinal cord compression. J Neurooncol None(None):None, 2024. PMID: 39325339.
- Beckham TH, Rooney MK, Cifter G, Bernard V, McAleer MF, De BS, Tom MC, Perni S, Wang C, Swanson T, Tatsui CE, Alvarez-Breckenridge C, North R, Rhines LD, Tang C, Logothetis C, Amini B, Li J, Yeboa DN, Ghia AJ. Stereotactic radiosurgery for prostate cancer spine metastases: local control and fracture risk using a simultaneous integrated boost approach. J Neurosurg Spine 41(3):436-444, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38875722.
- Beckham TH, Rooney MK, McAleer MF, Ghia AJ, Tom MC, Perni S, McGovern S, Grosshans D, Chung C, Wang C, De B, Swanson T, Paulino A, Jiang W, Ferguson S, Patel CB, Li J, Yeboa DN. Hypofractionated radiotherapy for glioblastoma: A large institutional retrospective assessment of 2 approaches. Neurooncol Pract 11(3):266-274, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38737610.
- Ene CI, Abi Faraj C, Beckham TH, Weinberg JS, Andersen CR, Haider AS, Rao G, Ferguson SD, Alvarez-Brenkenridge CA, Kim BYS, Heimberger AB, McCutcheon IE, Prabhu SS, Wang CM, Ghia AJ, McGovern SL, Chung C, McAleer MF, Tom MC, Perni S, Swanson TA, Yeboa DN, Briere TM, Huse JT, Fuller GN, Lang FF, Li J, Suki D, Sawaya RE. Response of Treatment-Naive Brain Metastases to Stereotactic Radiosurgery. Nat Commun 15(1):3728, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38697991.
- Wang C, Rooney MK, Alvarez-Breckenridge C, Beckham TH, Chung C, De BS, Ghia AJ, Grosshans D, Majd NK, McAleer MF, McGovern SL, North RY, Paulino AC, Perni S, Reddy JP, Rhines LD, Swanson TA, Tatsui CE, Tom MC, Yeboa DN, Li J. Outcomes and Pattern of Care for Spinal Myxopapillary Ependymoma in the Modern Era-A Population-Based Observational Study. Cancers (Basel) 16(11), 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38893133.
- Shanker MD, Cavazos AP, Li J, Beckham TH, Yeboa DN, Wang C, McAleer MF, Briere TM, Amini B, Tatsui CE, North RY, Alvarez-Breckenridge CA, Cezayirli PC, Rhines LD, Ghia AJ, Bishop AJ. Definitive single fraction spine stereotactic radiosurgery for metastatic sarcoma: Simultaneous integrated boost is associated with high tumor control and low vertebral fracture risk. Radiother Oncol 193:110119, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38311030.
- Yadav D, Upadhyay R, Kumar VA, Chen MM, Johnson JM, Langshaw H, Curl BJ, Farhat M, Talpur W, Beckham TH, Yeboa DN, Swanson TA, Ghia AJ, Li J, Chung C. Additive Value of MR Simulation Prior to Chemoradiation in Evaluating Treatment Response and Pseudoprogression in High-Grade Gliomas. Pract Radiat Oncol. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38685448.
- Ledbetter D, de Almeida R, Wu X, Naveh A, Patel CB, Gonzalez Q, Beckham TH, North R, Rhines L, Li J, Ghia A, Aten D, Tatsui C, Alvarez-Breckenridge C. Tumor treating fields suppress tumor cell growth and neurologic decline in models of spine metastases. JCI Insight. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38512420.
- de Almeida RAA, Ghia AJ, Amini B, Wang C, Alvarez-Breckenridge CA, Li J, Rhines LD, Tom MC, North RY, Beckham TH, Tatsui CE. Quantification of MRI Artifacts in Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polyetheretherketone Thoracolumbar Pedicle Screw Constructs prior to Spinal Stereotactic Radiosurgery. Pract Radiat Oncol 14(2):103-111, 2024. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37914081.
- Sherry AD, Maroongroge S, De B, Amini B, Conley AP, Bishop AJ, Wang C, Beckham T, Tom M, Briere T, Li J, Yeboa DN, McAleer MF, North R, Tatsui CE, Rhines LD, Ghia AJ. Management of chordoma and chondrosarcoma with definitive dose-escalated single-fraction spine stereotactic radiosurgery. J Neurooncol 164(2):377-386, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37667065.
- Dodoo GN, De B, Lee SS, Abi Jaoude J, Vauthey JN, Tzeng CD, Tran Cao HS, Katlowitz KA, Mandel JJ, Beckham TH, Minsky BD, Smith GL, Holliday EB, Koong AC, Das P, Taniguchi CM, Javle M, Koay EJ, Ludmir EB. Brain Metastases from Biliary Tract Cancer: Case Series and Clinicogenomic Analysis. Oncologist 28(4):327-332, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 36715178.
- Florez MA, De B, Cavazos A, Farooqi A, Beckham TH, Wang C, Yeboa DN, Bishop AJ, McAleer MF, Briere T, Amini B, Li J, Tatsui CE, Rhines LD, Ghia AJ. Safety and Efficacy of Dose-Escalated Radiation Therapy With a Simultaneous Integrated Boost for the Treatment of Spinal Metastases. Pract Radiat Oncol 13(1):e7-e13, 2023. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 36604100.
- Beckham TH, Yang JC, Chau KW, Noy A, Yahalom J. Excellent Outcomes with Surgery or Radiotherapy in the Management of Castleman Disease Including a Case of Oligocentric Disease. Clin Lymphoma Myeloma Leuk 20(10):685-689, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32522439.
- Beckham TH, Barney C, Healy E, Wolfe AR, Branstetter A, Yaney A, Riaz N, McBride SM, Tsai CJ, Kang J, Yu Y, Chen L, Sherman E, Dunn L, Pfister DG, Tan J, Rupert R, Bonomi M, Zhang Z, Lobaugh SM, Grecula JC, Mitchell DL, Wobb JL, Miller ED, Blakaj DM, Diavolitsis VM, Lee N, Bhatt AD. Platinum-based regimens versus cetuximab in definitive chemoradiation for human papillomavirus-unrelated head and neck cancer. Int J Cancer 147(1):107-115, 2020. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31609479.
- Groen AH, Beckham TH, Links TP, Goldman DA, Sherman EJ, Tuttle MM, Bijl HP, Wong RJ, Plukker JTM, Lee NY, Group/Consortium Members AO. Outcomes of surgery and postoperative radiation therapy in managing medullary thyroid carcinoma. J Surg Oncol. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31733124.
- Beckham TH, Leeman JE, Xie P, Li X, Goldman DA, Zhang Z, Sherman E, McBride S, Riaz N, Lee N, Tsai CJ. Long-term survival in patients with metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma treated with metastasis-directed therapy. Br J Cancer 121(11):897-903, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31649318.
- Zhang J, Srivastava S, Wang C, Beckham TH, Johnson C, Dutta P, Shepherd A, Mechalakos J, Hunt M, Wu A, Rimner A, Li G. Clinical evaluation of 4D MRI in the delineation of gross and internal tumor volumes in comparison with 4DCT. J Appl Clin Med Phys 20(9):51-60, 2019. PMID: 31538719.
- Beckham TH, Imber BS, Simone CB. Stereotactic body radiation therapy for oligometastatic renal cell carcinoma: improving outcomes in an otherwise radioresistant malignancy. Ann Transl Med 7(Suppl 3):S98, 2019. PMID: 31576305.
- Beckham TH, Leeman J, Jillian Tsai C, Riaz N, Sherman E, Singh B, Lee N, McBride S, Higginson DS. Treatment modalities and outcomes of Fanconi anemia patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: Series of 9 cases and review of the literature. Head Neck 41(5):1418-1426, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 30633423.
- Beckham TH, Romesser PB, Groen AH, Sabol C, Shaha AR, Sabra M, Brinkman T, Spielsinger D, McBride S, Tsai CJ, Riaz N, Tuttle RM, Fagin JA, Sherman EJ, Wong RJ, Lee NY. Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy With or Without Concurrent Chemotherapy in Nonanaplastic Thyroid Cancer with Unresectable or Gross Residual Disease. Thyroid 28(9):1180-1189, 2018. PMID: 30105947.
- Orwat KP, Beckham TH, Cooper SL, Ashenafi MS, Anderson MB, Guimaraes M, Yamada R, Marshall DT. Pretreatment albumin may aid in patient selection for intrahepatic Y-90 microsphere transarterial radioembolization (TARE) for malignancies of the liver. J Gastrointest Oncol 8(6):1072-1078, 2017. PMID: 29299369.
- Beckham TH, Casey DL, LaQuaglia MP, Kushner BH, Modak S, Wolden SL. Renal Function Outcomes of High-risk Neuroblastoma Patients Undergoing Radiation Therapy. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 99(2):486-493, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28872000.
- Price ST, Beckham TH, Cheng JC, Lu P, Liu X, Norris JS. Sphingosine 1-Phosphate Receptor 2 Regulates the Migration, Proliferation, and Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells. Int J Stem Cell Res Ther 2(2), 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 27275017.
- Cheng JC, Bai A, Beckham TH, Marrison ST, Yount CL, Young K, Lu P, Bartlett AM, Wu BX, Keane BJ, Armeson KE, Marshall DT, Keane TE, Smith MT, Jones EE, Drake RR, Bielawska A, Norris JS, Liu X. Radiation-induced acid ceramidase confers prostate cancer resistance and tumor relapse. J Clin Invest 123(10):4344-58, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 24091326.
- Beckham TH, Cheng JC, Lu P, Shao Y, Troyer D, Lance R, Marrison ST, Norris JS, Liu X. Acid ceramidase induces sphingosine kinase 1/S1P receptor 2-mediated activation of oncogenic Akt signaling. Oncogenesis 2:e49, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 23732709.
- Beckham TH, Lu P, Jones EE, Marrison T, Lewis CS, Cheng JC, Ramshesh VK, Beeson G, Beeson CC, Drake RR, Bielawska A, Bielawski J, Szulc ZM, Ogretmen B, Norris JS, Liu X. LCL124, a cationic analog of ceramide, selectively induces pancreatic cancer cell death by accumulating in mitochondria. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 344(1):167-78, 2013. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 23086228.
- Beckham TH, Cheng JC, Lu P, Marrison ST, Norris JS, Liu X. Acid ceramidase promotes nuclear export of PTEN through sphingosine 1-phosphate mediated Akt signaling. PLoS One 8(10):e76593, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 24098536.
- Beckham TH, Lu P, Cheng JC, Zhao D, Turner LS, Zhang X, Hoffman S, Armeson KE, Liu A, Marrison T, Hannun YA, Liu X. Acid ceramidase-mediated production of sphingosine 1-phosphate promotes prostate cancer invasion through upregulation of cathepsin B. Int J Cancer 131(9):2034-43, 2012. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 22322590.
- Turner LS, Cheng JC, Beckham TH, Keane TE, Norris JS, Liu X. Autophagy is increased in prostate cancer cells overexpressing acid ceramidase and enhances resistance to C6 ceramide. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis 14(1):30-7, 2011. e-Pub 2010. PMID: 21116286.
- Mahdy AE, Cheng JC, Li J, Elojeimy S, Meacham WD, Turner LS, Bai A, Gault CR, McPherson AS, Garcia N, Beckham TH, Saad A, Bielawska A, Bielawski J, Hannun YA, Keane TE, Taha MI, Hammouda HM, Norris JS, Liu X. Acid ceramidase upregulation in prostate cancer cells confers resistance to radiation: AC inhibition, a potential radiosensitizer. Mol Ther 17(3):430-8, 2009. e-Pub 2008. PMID: 19107118.
- Wang X, Beckham TH, Morris JC, Chen F, Gangemi JD. Bioactivities of gossypol, 6-methoxygossypol, and 6,6'-dimethoxygossypol. J Agric Food Chem 56(12):4393-8, 2008. e-Pub 2008. PMID: 18517219.
- Katlowitz KA, MD, PhD, Beckham TH, MD, PhD, Kudchadker RJ, PhD, Wefel J, PhD, Elamin YY, MD, S Weinberg AJ, MD. A Novel Multimodal Approach to Refractory Brain Metastases: A Case Report. Advances in Radiation Oncology. PMID: None.
Other Articles
- Bahouth SM, Yeboa DN, Ghia AJ, Tatsui CE, Alvarez-Breckenridge CA, Beckham TH, Bishop AJ, Li J, McAleer MF, North RY, Rhines LD, Swanson TA, Chenyang W, Amini B Advances in the management of spinal metastases: what the radiologist needs to know. Br J Radiol 96(1141):20220267, 2023. PMID: 35946551.
- Yarabarla V, Mylarapu A, Han TJ, McGovern SL, Raza SM, Beckham TH Intracranial meningiomas: an update of the 2021 World Health Organization classifications and review of management with a focus on radiation therapy. Front Oncol 13(13):1137849, 2023. PMID: 37675219.
- Bahouth SM, Yeboa DN, Ghia AJ, Tatsui CE, Alvarez-Breckenridge CA, Beckham TH, Bishio AJ, Li J, McAleer MF, North RY, Rhines LD, Swanson TA, Chenyang W, Amini B Multidisciplinary management of spinal metastases: what the radiologist needs to know. Br J Radiol 95(1138):20220266, 2022. PMID: 35856792.
- Hasanov E, Yeboa DN, Tucker MD, Swanson TA, Beckham TH, Rini B, Ene CI, Hasanov M, Derks S, Smits M, Dudani S, Heng DYC, Brastianos PK, Bex A, Hanalioglu S, Weinberg JS, Hirsch L, Carlo MI, Aizer A, Brown PD, Bilen MA, Chang EL, Jaboin J, Brugarolas J, Choueiri TK, Atkins MB, McGregor BA, Halasz LM, Patel TR, Soltys SG, McDermott DF, Elder JB, Baskaya MK, Yu JB, Timmerman R, Kim MM, Mut M, Markert J, Beal K, Tannir NM, Samandouras G, Lang FF, Giles R, Jonasch E An interdisciplinary consensus on the management of brain metastases in patients with renal cell carcinoma. CA Cancer J Clin 72(5):454-489, 2022. PMID: 35708940.
- Beckham TH, Yang TJ, Gomez D, Tsai CJ Metastasis-directed therapy for oligometastasis and beyond. Br J Cancer 124(1):136-141, 2021. PMID: 33204024.
- Beckham TH, Cheng JC, Marrison ST, Norris JS, Liu X Interdiction of sphingolipid metabolism to improve standard cancer therapies. Adv Cancer Res 117:1-36, 2013. PMID: 23290775.
- Beckham TH, Elojeimy S, Cheng JC, Turner LS, Hoffman SR, Norris JS, Liu X Targeting sphingolipid metabolism in head and neck cancer: rational therapeutic potentials. Expert Opin Ther Targets 14(5):529-39, 2010. PMID: 20334489.
- Liu X, Cheng JC, Turner LS, Elojeimy S, Beckham TH, Bielawska A, Keane TE, Hannun YA, Norris JS Acid ceramidase upregulation in prostate cancer: role in tumor development and implications for therapy. Expert Opin Ther Targets 13(12):1449-58, 2009. PMID: 19874262.
Grant & Contract Support
| Title: | Gilbert Fletcher Rising Star Award- “Development of [18F] DASA-PET at MDACC for Metabolic Imaging in Glioblastoma” |
| Funding Source: | ROSI |
| Role: | PI |
| Title: | Evaluation of radiomic features in the prediction of the outcome of oligometastatic head and neck cancer |
| Funding Source: | American College of Radiation Oncology Seed Grant |
| Role: | Investigator |
| Title: | Radiation Oncology Strategic Initiatives (ROSI)- Quality and Safety-“Integration of Multidisciplinary Volume Review to Improve Safety, Quality and Efficiency of Spine Radiosurgery” |
| Funding Source: | ROSI |
| Role: | PI |
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified October 24, 2024