Scripps physician to receive Cancer Society’s highest honor

The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) will award Scripps Clinic radiation oncologist Prabhakar Tripuraneni, M.D., with the ASTRO Gold Medal, during its 55th annual meeting September in Atlanta.

The medal, first awarded in 1977, is bestowed annually on ASTRO members who have made outstanding contributions to the field of radiation oncology, including work in research, clinical care, teaching and service.

Tripuraneni, head of the division of radiation oncology at Scripps Clinic and a former chairman of ASTRO, has impacted the clinical aspect of radiation oncology with his insights in vascular brachytherapy and influenced improvements to ASTRO through leadership roles on the board of directors. His volunteer work on behalf of ASTRO has included the areas of practice accreditation, website development and e-learning initiatives.

Working with physicists and cardiologists in the late 1990s, Tripuraneni developed the methodology, dosimetry and dose prescription for endovascular brachytherapy to avoid coronary restenosis. Restenosis is a common problem after angioplasty, when the blood vessels can become blocked again.

Tripuraneni and colleagues pioneered techniques to irradiate the stent to prevent tissue from growing and blocking it again.