Frederick M. Dirbas, MD

Associate Professor of Surgery (General Surgery)

Clinical Focus

Cancer > Breast Cancer
Cancer > Breast Cancer > Accelerated Breast Radiation
General Surgery
Accelerated Breast Radiation
MRI in Breast Cancer Staging
Minimally Invasive Breast Surgery

Academic Appointments

Associate Professor - University Medical Line, Surgery - General Surgery
Member, Bio-X
Member, Stanford Cancer Institute

Administrative Appointments

Director, Clinical Care Sub-team, Breast Disease Management Group, Stanford Cancer Center (2006 - 2010)
Physician Leader, Breast Cancer Clinical Care Program (CCP), Stanford Cancer Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford Hospital (2010 - 2017)
Co-Leader, Breast Cancer Clinical Research Group, Stanford Cancer Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford Hospital (2011 - 2015)

Honors & Awards

Best Doctors in America, Best Doctors, Inc. (2023)
Top Doctors, Castle Connolly (2023)
Best Doctors in America, Best Doctors, Inc. (2022)
Top Doctors, Castle Connolly (2022)
Best Doctors in America, Best Doctors, Inc (2021)
Top Doctors, Castle Connolly (2021)
Best Doctors in America, Best Doctors, Inc. (2020)
Top Doctors, Castle Connolly (2020)
Best Doctors in America, Best Doctors, Inc (2019)
Top Doctors, Catle Connolly (2019)
Best Doctors in America, Best Doctors, Inc (2018)
Top Doctors, Castle Connolly (2018)
Best Doctors in America, Best Doctors, Inc (2017)
Top Doctors, Castle Connolly (2017)
Best Doctors in America, Best Doctors, Inc. (2016)
Best Doctors in America, Best Doctors, Inc. (2015)
Best Doctors in America, Best Doctors, Inc. (2014)
Best Doctors in America, Best Doctors, Inc. (2013)
Best Doctors in America, Best Doctors, Inc (2012)
Best Doctors in America, Best Doctors, Inc. (2011)
America's Top Surgeons, Consumers' Research Council of America (2010)
Best Doctors in America, Best Doctors, Inc. (2010)
America's Top Oncologists, Consumers' Research Council of America (2009)
Best Doctors in America, Best Doctors, Inc. (2009)
Star Caregiver Award, Silicon Valley Wellness Foundation (2008)
Grant Recipient, Vadasz Foundation (2004)
IORT for Breast Cancer (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6503963/ns/nightly_news/), NBC (2004)

Boards, Advisory Committees, Professional Organizations

Chair, Scientific Advisory Board, Beyond Cancer, Ltd (2023 - Present)
Board of Directors, School of Oncoplastic Surgery (2020 - Present)

Professional Education

Residency: Stanford University Dept of General Surgery (1992) CA
Fellowship: Stanford University Dept of Surgery (1994) CA
Fellowship: National Institute of Health (1989) MD
Medical Education: Columbia University Office of the Registrar (1985) NY
Board Certification: American Board of Surgery, General Surgery (1994)
MD, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons (1985)
BS with Honors, Stanford University, Chemistry (1981)

Community and International Work

Susan G. Komen for the Cure Advisory Council 2011- 2014, San Francisco

Topic

Breast Cancer

Partnering Organization(s)

Susan G. Komen for the Cure

Populations Served

Breast Cancer

Location

International

Ongoing Project

true

Opportunities for Student Involvement

false
Expert Reviewer Program, Medical Board of California

Topic

Breast Cancer

Partnering Organization(s)

Medical Board of California

Populations Served

California

Location

International

Ongoing Project

true

Opportunities for Student Involvement

false
Susan G. Komen for the Cure San Francisco Affiliate 2004-2011, San Francisco

Topic

Breast Cancer

Partnering Organization(s)

Susan G. Komen for the Cure

Populations Served

San Francisco Bay Area

Location

International

Ongoing Project

true

Opportunities for Student Involvement

false
Breast Cancer Connections 2011 - 2014, Palo Alto

Topic

Breast Cancer

Partnering Organization(s)

Populations Served

San Francisco Bay Area

Location

International

Ongoing Project

true

Opportunities for Student Involvement

false

Patents

Frederick Dirbas. "United States Patent 6182047 Medical information log system", Software for Surgeons, Sep 30, 2001
Frederick Dirbas. "United States Patent 6125350 Medical information log system", Software for Surgeons, Sep 26, 2000

Contact

Academic dirbas@stanford.edu

Alternate Contact Kathleen Sochan Administrative Associate ksochan@stanford.edu Tel: (650) 723-5672

Clinical Stanford Women's Cancer Center 900 Blake Wilbur Dr Workroom 3 Palo Alto CA 94305 Tel: (650) 498-6004 Fax: (650) 736-4167

Current Research and Scholarly Interests

Currently collaborating with Dr's Aaron Newman and Michael Clarke to study cancer stem cells associated with triple negative breast cancer. Advancing studies of FLASH radiotherapy in preclinical models for potential future use in humans. Investigating preclinical use of high dose gaseous nitric oxide in the treatment of solid tumors.

Clinical Trials

LYMPHA Procedure for the Prevention of Lymphedema After Axillary Lymphadenectomy Not Recruiting
More
Lymphedema is a chronic, progressive, and debilitating condition that occurs with disruption or obstruction of the lymphatic system, which commonly occurs a result of breast cancer therapy. The purpose of this study is to determine if the use of a low risk lymphatic reconstruction procedure at the time of axillary lymph node dissection will reduce the risk of developing lymphedema. Additionally, to determine if this procedure improves objective outcomes of lymphedema and patient quality of life

Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Dung Nguyen, PharmD, 650-498-6004.

Lead Sponsor
- Stanford University
Stanford Investigators
View full details
Letrozole in Treating Postmenopausal Women Who Have Received Hormone Therapy for Hormone Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer Not Recruiting
More
RATIONALE: Estrogen can cause the growth of breast cancer cells. Hormone therapy using letrozole may fight breast cancer by lowering the amount of estrogen the body makes. It is not yet known whether letrozole is more effective than a placebo in treating patients with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. PURPOSE: This randomized phase III trial is studying letrozole to see how well it works compared with a placebo in treating postmenopausal women who have received hormone therapy for hormone receptor-positive breast cancer.

Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Marilyn Florero, 6507241953.
Lead Sponsor
Stanford Investigators
View full details
Surgery to Remove the Sentinel Lymph Node and Axillary Lymph Nodes After Chemotherapy in Treating Women With Stage II, Stage IIIA, or Stage IIIB Breast Cancer Not Recruiting
More
RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Giving chemotherapy before surgery may make the tumor smaller and reduce the amount of normal tissue that needs to be removed. PURPOSE: This phase II trial is studying surgery to remove the sentinel lymph node and axillary lymph nodes after chemotherapy in treating women with stage II, stage IIIA, or stage IIIB breast cancer.

Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Sally Bobo, 6507361472.
Lead Sponsor
Stanford Investigators
- Frederick M. Dirbas, MD
View full details
Phase 2 Anastrozole and Vandetanib (ZD6474) in Neoadjuvant Treatment of Postmenopausal Hormone Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer Not Recruiting
More
In this study we plan to study the combination of ZD6474, a dual inhibitor of EGFR and VEGFR-2 with anastrozole in the neoadjuvant setting for patients with Stage I-III breast cancer. The aim is to overcome mechanisms of resistance and simultaneously block multiple critical signaling pathways known to stimulate breast cancer.

Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Marcy Chen, 6507238686.

Lead Sponsor
- Stanford University
Stanford Investigators
View full details
Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation Following Lumpectomy for Breast Cancer Not Recruiting
More
To determine whether an accelerated course of radiotherapy delivered to the lumpectomy cavity plus margin using IORT as a single dose, intracavitary brachytherapy with the MammoSite device over 5 days, partial breast 3-D CRT in 5 days, or stereotactic APBI over 4 days is a feasible and safe alternative to a six and a half week course of whole breast radiotherapy. The study will measure both short and long-term complications of radiation treatment, short and long-term breast cosmesis, local rates of in-breast cancer recurrence, regional recurrences, distant metastases, and overall survival.

Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Sally Bobo, 6507361472.

Lead Sponsor
- Stanford University
Stanford Investigators
View full details
MRI in Women With Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer Prior to Breast Conserving Surgery Not Recruiting
More
To see if performing breast MRI before a lumpectomy will help the surgeon successfully remove the entire cancer with normal tissue margins in a single operation thereby reducing the need for additional surgical procedures. The study will also measure how well MRI can find unsuspected cancers in the same breast as the known cancer; how well MRI will find unsuspected cancers in the opposite breast; how often MRI will generate false positive MRI findings; whether routinely incorporating breast MRI delays care or adds unnecessary cost; and, whether breast MRI is able to reduce the frequency of cancer recurrence in the treated breast or elsewhere in the body.

Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Sally Bobo, 650-736-1472.

Lead Sponsor
- Stanford University
Stanford Investigators
- Frederick M. Dirbas, MD
- Debra M. Ikeda, M.D.
View full details
Trial of AVB-620 in Women With Primary, Non-Recurrent Breast Cancer Undergoing Surgery Not Recruiting
More
This is a Phase 1, open-label, dose escalation study in women with primary, non-recurrent breast cancer undergoing surgery. AVB-620 will be administered prior to surgery.

Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Shannon Meyer, .
Lead Sponsor
Stanford Investigators
- Irene Wapnir, MD
- Frederick M. Dirbas, MD
View full details
Early Surgery or Standard Palliative Therapy in Treating Patients With Stage IV Breast Cancer Not Recruiting
More
RATIONALE: The primary tumor might be a source of re-seeding of distant sites and therefore elimination of this source of metastasizing cells by early local therapy may be of benefit. PURPOSE: This randomized phase III trial is studying early surgery to see how well it works compared to standard palliative therapy in treating patients with stage IV breast cancer.

Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Amy Isaacson, 650-723-0501.
Lead Sponsor
Stanford Investigators
- Frederick M. Dirbas, MD
View full details
Molecular and Cellular Analysis of Breast Cancer Not Recruiting
More
The purpose of the study is to investigate the different types and subtypes of cells found in breast tumors. The investigators will do this using a variety of molecular analysis tools that may allow for improved tests. The different types of cells in breast cancer impacts the way individuals respond to various treatments.

Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Michelle Aboytes, 650-498-9071.

Lead Sponsor
- Stanford University
Stanford Investigators
View full details
A Pharmacokinetic and Randomized Trial of Neoadjuvant Treatment With Anastrozole Plus AZD0530 in Postmenopausal Patients With Hormone Receptor Positive Breast Cancer Not Recruiting
More
The investigators propose to conduct a Phase I/randomized Phase II study design in order to test the tolerability and efficacy of AZD0530 (also called saracatinib) when used together with anastrozole in therapy for ER+ and/or PR+, postmenopausal breast cancer. The Phase I pharmacokinetic (PK) cohort of the study (cohort A) in postmenopausal women with metastatic breast cancer 2008-2009 showed initial safety,tolerability and good bioavailability of both drugs and determined the doses for use in the ongoing Phase II trial. In the randomized Phase II cohort of the study (cohort B), postmenopausal women with newly diagnosed, previously untreated ER+, HER2 negative breast cancer that is at least 2 cm or more in diameter by clinical exam or radiology will be randomized to either neoadjuvant treatment with anastrozole plus placebo, or anastrozole in combination with AZD0530 (saracatinib). The Phase II cohort will permit extended assays of tolerability, initial estimates of efficacy, and the investigation of molecular predictors of drug efficacy.

Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Annabel Castaneda, 650-498-7977.
Lead Sponsor
Stanford Investigators
View full details
Comparison of Axillary Lymph Node Dissection With Axillary Radiation for Patients With Node-Positive Breast Cancer Treated With Chemotherapy Not Recruiting
More
This randomized phase III trial studies lymph node dissection and radiation therapy to see how well it works compared to radiation therapy alone in treating patients with breast cancer previously treated with chemotherapy and surgery. Lymph node dissection may remove cancer cells that have spread to nearby lymph nodes in patients with breast cancer. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x rays or protons to kill tumor cells. It is not yet known if radiation therapy works better alone or with lymph node dissection in treating patients with breast cancer previously treated with chemotherapy and surgery.

Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Amy Isaacson, 650-723-0501.
Lead Sponsor
Stanford Investigators
- Frederick M. Dirbas, MD
View full details
Breast-Conserving Surgery and Radiation Therapy in Patients With Multiple Ipsilateral Breast Cancer Not Recruiting
More
RATIONALE: Breast-conserving surgery is a less invasive type of surgery for breast cancer and may have fewer side effects and improve recovery. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x rays to kill tumor cells. Giving radiation therapy after surgery may kill any tumor cells that remain after surgery. PURPOSE: This phase II trial studies how well breast-conserving surgery and radiation therapy work in treating patients with multiple ipsilateral breast cancer

Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Amy Isaacson , 650-723-0501.
Lead Sponsor
Stanford Investigators
- Frederick M. Dirbas, MD
View full details

2023-24 Courses

Independent Studies
- Directed Reading in Surgery
  SURG 299 (Aut, Win, Spr)
- Graduate Research
  SURG 399 (Aut, Win, Spr)
- Medical Scholars Research
  SURG 370 (Aut, Win, Spr)
- Undergraduate Research
  SURG 199 (Aut, Win, Spr)

All Publications

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