Dr. Zach Berman
Interventional Radiologist
Dr. Zachary Berman is an interventional radiologist at the University of California San Diego in San Diego, California.
Podcasts
Vascular & IR # 655Jun 16, 2026Managing Large Liver Tumors: Strategies & Challenges
How is Y90 radioembolization rewriting the rules for managing large HCC tumors and creating new curative-intent therapeutic pathways where palliation was once deemed the only option? In this episode of the 2026 HCC Creator Weekend™, interventional radiologists Dr. Chris Malone (WashU), Dr. Tyler Sandow (Ochsner Health), and Dr. Beau Toskich (Mayo Clinic Florida) join host Dr. Zach Berman for a case-based discussion on advanced dosimetric strategies and embolization approaches for large and complex HCC lesions.
Tumor Board # 66Jun 16, 2026Managing Complications in Pancreatic Cancer
How do seasoned clinicians navigate the complex web of complications that accompany pancreatic cancer? In this episode of BackTable Tumor Board, Drs. Greg Botta, Rebekah White, and Zachary Berman discuss real-world strategies for managing pain, digestive complications, and the many challenges patients face. They explore multidisciplinary approaches, emphasizing the importance of tailored pain management, careful use of enzyme supplementation, and anticipating both surgical and medical risks, especially after procedures like the Whipple.
- Vascular & IR # 651Jun 2, 2026
Radioembolization Workflow: Insights & Best Practices
What does it really take to run a high-volume Y90 program that is efficient, scalable, and patient-centered? In this episode of the BackTable 2026 HCC Creator Weekend™, host Dr. Zach Berman is joined by Drs. Nima Kokabi and Kirema Garcia-Reyes to break down the systems, workflows, and strategies that drive successful radioembolization centers. The conversation focuses on overcoming referral and insurance delays, implementing multidisciplinary clinics, and using tools like single-session Y90 and routine post-treatment dosimetry to reduce treatment times and improve outcomes.
- Tumor Board # 62Jun 2, 2026
Advancements in Managing Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer
Can a tumor deemed permanently unresectable actually be downstaged to surgery? In this episode of BackTable Tumor Board, host Dr. Zach Berman (interventional radiologist, UC San Diego) is joined by Dr. Rebekah White (surgical oncologist) and Dr. Michael Sherer (radiation oncologist) to discuss the complexities of managing locally advanced, unresectable pancreatic cancer and evaluate how individualized patient factors, treatment response, and multidisciplinary expertise can turn inoperable tumors into surgical candidates.
- Vascular & IR # 649May 27, 2026
Y90 Radioembolization Dosimetry: Techniques & Challenges
Can the right dosimetry approach turn palliative Y90 into a curative therapy? In this episode of the BackTable 2026 HCC Creator Weekend™, interventional oncologists Dr. Riad Salem, Dr. Nima Kokabi, and Dr. Zach Berman examine modern Y90 dosimetry, from the decline of body-surface-area calculations to newer strategies that tailor treatment intensity to tumor burden, liver reserve, and clinical intent.
- Vascular & IR # 642May 7, 2026
Exploring CPN & Radiation Segmentectomy in Liver Cancer
Complete pathologic necrosis (CPN) rates above 90%? This week’s BackTable episode from the 2026 HCC Creator Weekend™ is cracking the code on complete tumor kill in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) bridging therapy. Host Dr. Kavi Krishnasamy is joined by Dr. Zach Berman and Dr. Beau Toskich to break down the latest multi-center research from COBRAS (Consortium on Bridging Radiation Segementectomy with Glass Microspheres Before Transplant), setting a new standard for bridging therapy that offers actionable strategies to improve outcomes.
- Vascular & IR # 564Aug 12, 2025
Pressure-Enabled Drug Delivery in HCC & Metastatic Liver Lesions
Can you manipulate blood flow in the tumor microenvironment to optimize drug delivery? In this episode of the BackTable Podcast, interventional oncologist Dr. Zachary Berman (UC San Diego) joins host Dr. Christopher Beck to discuss real-world applications of pressure-enabled drug delivery in local, regional liver-directed therapies like TACE and Y90.
- Vascular & IR # 561Jul 29, 2025
Dosimetry University VI: Challenging Case Review
When is Y90 the right treatment for metastatic disease? Join Drs. Tyler Sandow, Zach Berman and host Kavi Krishnasamy in the conclusion of Dosimetry University where they discuss the complexities of treating different variations of metastatic disease and review how they’ve approached complicated cases with Y90.
- Vascular & IR # 559Jul 22, 2025
Dosimetry University V: Case Review on Dose Optimization Strategies
The balance between targeting tumor and sparing healthy liver is delicate. How do the experts do it? In this case-based review, Drs. Zach Berman (UC San Diego) and Tyler Sandow (Ochsner Health) join host Dr. Kavi Krishnasamy to walk us through real-world scenarios and share how they approach Y90 dose optimization.
- Vascular & IR # 556Jul 8, 2025
Dosimetry University Part IV: Optimizing Radiation Segmentectomy
Radiation segmentectomy: who, when, how? Interventional oncologists Dr. Nima Kokabi, Dr. Tyler Sandow, and Dr. Kavi Krishnasamy continue their in-studio discussion on all things Y90 in Part 4 of Dosimetry University, focusing on specific applications of radiation segmentectomy.
- Vascular & IR # 525Mar 14, 2025
Principles to Practice: An HCC Tumor Board
Do you ever wish you could be a fly on the wall at a tumor board meeting? In this episode of BackTable, we’re excited to give you an insider’s view of the real case discussions that take place during hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tumor boards. Host Dr. Zach Berman sits down with a multidisciplinary team, including Drs. Adam Burgoyne (medical oncologist), Heather Patton (hepatologist), Siddharth Padia (interventional radiologist), and Gabriel Schnickel (transplant and hepatobiliary surgeon).
- Vascular & IR # 523Mar 7, 2025
Getting Started in Interventional Oncology: Tips for Starting Your Career
Are you seeking to build your reputation and patient base within interventional oncology? In this episode, host Dr. Zachary Berman interviews Dr. Siddarth Padia, Dr. Tyler Sandow, Dr. Kavi Krishnasamy, and Dr. Kevin Burns about their journeys into interventional oncology (IO) and their experiences providing care in different practice settings.
- Vascular & IR # 519Feb 21, 2025
Transplantation for HCC: Who, When & How?
The process of liver transplantation involves many complexities, and each patient's path to transplant is unique. To offer insider perspectives on this process, Dr. Zachary Berman sits down with transplant and hepatobiliary surgeon Dr. John Seal, as well as transplant hepatologists Dr. Heather Patton and Dr. Steve Young.
- Vascular & IR # 517Feb 14, 2025
Complex HCC Patients & The "Grey Zone": What To Do When You Don’t Know What To Do
Treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), like that of many other cancers, spans a spectrum from curative to palliative intent. To explore the "grey zone" of treatment goals for intermediate-stage HCC patients, Dr. Sabeen Dhand interviews a panel of experts in the field: medical oncologists Dr. Adam Burgoyne and Dr. Lingling Du, along with interventional radiologists Dr. Kirema Garcia-Reyes and Dr. Zachary Berman.
- Vascular & IR # 515Feb 7, 2025
Curative Intent Therapies for HCC: Today & Tomorrow
For hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients who are not candidates for liver transplant or resection, lesion ablation can be a curative treatment. With multiple ablation options available and still under investigation, it can be challenging to navigate the differences between them. In this episode, Dr. Tyler Sandow hosts a discussion with interventional radiologists Dr. Kirema Garcia-Reyes, Dr. Sabeen Dhand, and Dr. Kevin Burns on the various ablation options for HCC and when to use each one.
- Vascular & IR # 513Jan 31, 2025
Combination Therapy & Clinical Trials for Advanced HCC: What They Really Mean
In the past five years, the use of immunotherapeutic agents for advanced cancers has emerged as a promising alternative to tyrosine kinase inhibitors and chemotherapy, making it an exciting time to be practicing oncology. In this episode, Dr. Tyler Sandow interviews oncology experts about the landscape of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the current state of immunotherapy treatments. He is joined by medical oncologists Dr. Jonathan Mizrah, Dr. Lingling Du, and Dr. Adam Burgoyne, as well as interventional oncologist Dr. Zachary Berman.
- Vascular & IR # 511Jan 24, 2025
How to Simplify Dosing: Understanding Y90 Dosimetry from Simple to Complex
Of all the topics covered during interventional radiology training, dosimetry education is often delayed until after IRs enter clinical practice. In this episode, Drs. Tyler Sandow and Sabeen Dhand host a roundtable discussion with experts on the dosimetry fundamentals that all Y90 operators should understand. They are joined by interventional radiologists Drs. Zachary Berman, Kirema Garcia-Reyes, and Siddharth Padia, who provide their expert insights.
- Tumor Board # 9Jan 17, 2025
Principles to Practice: An HCC Tumor Board
Do you ever wish you could be a fly on the wall at a tumor board meeting? In this episode of BackTable, we’re excited to give you an insider’s view of the real case discussions that take place during hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tumor boards. Host Dr. Zach Berman sits down with a multidisciplinary team, including Drs. Adam Burgoyne (medical oncologist), Heather Patton (hepatologist), Siddharth Padia (interventional radiologist), and Gabriel Schnickel (transplant and hepatobiliary surgeon).
- Tumor Board # 8Jan 17, 2025
Getting Started in Interventional Oncology: Tips for Starting Your Career
Are you seeking to build your reputation and patient base within interventional oncology? In this episode, host Dr. Zachary Berman interviews Dr. Siddarth Padia, Dr. Tyler Sandow, Dr. Kavi Krishnasamy, and Dr. Kevin Burns about their journeys into interventional oncology (IO) and their experiences providing care in different practice settings.
- Tumor Board # 6Jan 17, 2025
Transplantation for HCC: Who, When & How?
The process of liver transplantation involves many complexities, and each patient's path to transplant is unique. To offer insider perspectives on this process, Dr. Zachary Berman sits down with transplant and hepatobiliary surgeon Dr. John Seal, as well as transplant hepatologists Dr. Heather Patton and Dr. Steve Young.
- Tumor Board # 5Jan 17, 2025
Complex HCC Patients & The "Grey Zone": What To Do When You Don’t Know What To Do
Treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), like that of many other cancers, spans a spectrum from curative to palliative intent. To explore the "grey zone" of treatment goals for intermediate-stage HCC patients, Dr. Sabeen Dhand interviews a panel of experts in the field: medical oncologists Dr. Adam Burgoyne and Dr. Lingling Du, along with interventional radiologists Dr. Kirema Garcia-Reyes and Dr. Zachary Berman.
- Tumor Board # 4Jan 17, 2025
Curative Intent Therapies for HCC: Today & Tomorrow
For hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients who are not candidates for liver transplant or resection, lesion ablation can be a curative treatment. With multiple ablation options available and still under investigation, it can be challenging to navigate the differences between them. In this episode, Dr. Tyler Sandow hosts a discussion with interventional radiologists Dr. Kirema Garcia-Reyes, Dr. Sabeen Dhand, and Dr. Kevin Burns on the various ablation options for HCC and when to use each one.
- Tumor Board # 3Jan 17, 2025
Combination Therapy & Clinical Trials for Advanced HCC: What They Really Mean
In the past five years, the use of immunotherapeutic agents for advanced cancers has emerged as a promising alternative to tyrosine kinase inhibitors and chemotherapy, making it an exciting time to be practicing oncology. In this episode, Dr. Tyler Sandow interviews oncology experts about the landscape of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the current state of immunotherapy treatments. He is joined by medical oncologists Dr. Jonathan Mizrah, Dr. Lingling Du, and Dr. Adam Burgoyne, as well as interventional oncologist Dr. Zachary Berman.
- Tumor Board # 2Jan 17, 2025
How to Simplify Dosing: Understanding Y90 Dosimetry from Simple to Complex
Of all the topics covered during interventional radiology training, dosimetry education is often delayed until after IRs enter clinical practice. In this episode, Drs. Tyler Sandow and Sabeen Dhand host a roundtable discussion with experts on the dosimetry fundamentals that all Y90 operators should understand. They are joined by interventional radiologists Drs. Zachary Berman, Kirema Garcia-Reyes, and Siddharth Padia, who provide their expert insights.