Steve Braunstein, MD, PHD

Dr. Steve Braunstein is a radiation oncologist who cares for both adult and pediatric patients. He specializes in treating brain and spinal tumors, sarcomas, lymphoma and pediatric cancers. He also provides palliative radiotherapy to reduce symptoms in patients with advanced cancer. His expertise encompasses a number of technologies that use radiation as therapy, with a special focus on intraoperative radiotherapy and radiosurgery – using targeted high-dose radiation to destroy tumors, either as an alternative to surgical procedures or in combination with them.

Braunstein's primary areas of research include improving radiation planning and treatment through the use of both gene marker analysis and advanced imaging technologies. He also studies how to improve the coordination, timing and delivery of health care that involves a variety of disciplines, including symptom management and cancer specialties.

After earning his medical degree as well as a doctorate in biomedical sciences at New York University School of Medicine, Braunstein completed a residency in radiation oncology at UCSF.

Braunstein is program director of UCSF's residency program and has a special interest in educating residents and medical students. He received a UCSF Medical Center Exceptional Physician Award in 2013.

Braunstein serves as an editor for the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics. He belongs to the American Society for Radiation Oncology, American Society of Clinical Oncology, Children's Oncology Group, Radiological Society of North America, North American Skull Base Society, International Gamma Knife Research Foundation and International Stereotactic Radiosurgery Society. He is active on committees within the National Cancer Institute, Children's Oncology Group and NRG Oncology.