Cecil Benitez, M.D., Ph.D.
Radiation Oncology
Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Radiation Oncology
Cecil Benitez, M.D., Ph.D., is an assistant clinical professor of radiation oncology at City of Hope® Upland, where she provides expert care for patients facing a wide range of cancer types. Dr. Benitez strives to empower, educate and listen to her patients, walking them through every step of their treatment journey.
Dr. Benitez completed a joint medical degree/master’s in science in epidemiology and clinical research and a doctorate in developmental biology at Stanford University. She completed her radiation oncology residency at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where she also participated in the UCLA Resident Health Informatics Fellowship.
A California native, Dr. Benitez enjoys giving back to her community through both her professional work and her involvement in volunteer initiatives with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. She has held multiple national positions in advocating for patient care, published numerous peer-reviewed articles and was a recipient of both a Gates Millennium Scholarship and a Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowship. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, yoga, and spending time with friends and family.
Location
Upland
Suite 1100
Upland, CA 91786
Education & Experience
Degrees
- 2020, Doctor of Medicine/Master of Science, Epidemiology and Clinical Research, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
- 2014, Doctor of Philosophy, Developmental Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Residency
- 2025, Radiation Oncology, University of California Los Angeles, CA
- 2021, Preliminary Medicine, Highland Hospital, UCSF Affiliation, Oakland, CA
Professional Experience
- 2025-present, Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Radiation Oncology, City of Hope®
Awards & Memberships
- 2023, ACRO Government Relations & Economics Advocacy Fellowship
- 2023, UCLA Resident Health Informatics Fellowship
- 2019, National Collegiate Cancer Foundation Scholarship
- 2019, Outstanding Graduate Mentor Award
- 2015, Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans
- 2015, ASCO Conquer Cancer Fellowship
- 2008, National Science Foundation (NSF) Fellowship
- 2007, Gates Millenium Scholarship
Publications
- Benitez CM, Chuong MD, Kunzel LA, Thorwarth D. 2024. MRI-guided adaptive radiation therapy. Semin Radiat Oncol 34(1):84-91
- Benitez CM, Steinberg ML, Lamb, Qi S, Cao M, Kishan AU, Valle LF. 2023. MRI-guided radiation therapy for prostate cancer: the next frontier in ultrahypofractionation. Cancers 15(18): 4657
- Razavian NB, Schutz AN, Chang L, Benitez CM, Sandoval ML et al. 2023. Evaluating the utility of webinars discussing the radiation oncology residency application process in the COVID-19 era. International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology Physics. Vol 116 (3): e9
- Benitez CM, Raldow AE. 2023. Chapter 35: Cost-effective study: design, measures, classic example. Translational Radiation Oncology. 1st edition.
- Duvall E, Benitez CM, Tellez K, Martin E, Pauerstein P, Li L, Baek S, Quake S, Smith JP, Sheffield N, Hager G, Kim SK, Arda HE et al. 2022. Single-cell transcriptome and accessible chromatin dynamics during endocrine pancreas development. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Vol 119 (26): e2201267119
- Benitez CM*, Rahimy E*, Panjwani N, Maeda LS, Soltys SG. 2021. Stereotactic radiotherapy for recurrent post-transplant primary central nervous system lymphoma. Cureus DOI: 10.7759/cureus.16537 co-first authorship
- Balazy KE, Benitez CM, Gutkin PM, Jacobson BA, von Eyben R, Host KC. 2021. Delays in care associated with non-English speaking breast cancer patients. JNCCN 10.6004/jnccn.2020.7797
- Balazy KE, Benitez CM, Gutkin PM, Karl JJ, Jacobson CE, von Eyben R, Horst KC. 2021. Impact of insurance on stage of breast cancer presentation for different race and ethnicities. JCO Oncology Practice. Volume 17 (5)
- Benitez CM, Knox SJ. 2020. Harnessing genome-wide association (GWAS) to minimize adverse radiation-induced side effects. Radiat. Oncol J. Dec 38(4): 226-235
- Hoppe RT, Advani RH, Ai WZ, Ambinder RF, Aoun P, Bello CM, Benitez CM, et al 2020. NCCN Guidelines insights: Hodgkin Lymphoma Version 2.2020. J Natl Compr Canc Netw. Jun 18 (6): 755-781
- Balazy KE, Benitez CM*, Gutkin PM, Jacobson CE, von Eyben R, Horst KC 2019. Association of language, lack of mammographic screening, and later stage presentation of breast cancer. Cancer Jun 15: 125 (12) 2057-2065 *co-first authorship
- Winckworth-Prejsnar K, McCanney J, Schatz AA, Smedley W, Platinias LC, Benitez CM, et al 2019. Policy challenges and opportunities to address changing paradigms in cancer care delivery. J Natl Compr Canc Netw. May; 17(5) 424-431
- Hoppe RT, Advani RH, Ai WZ, Ambinder RF, Aoun P, Bello CM, Benitez CM, et al 2018. NCCN Guidelines insights: Hodgkin Lymphoma Version 1.2018. J Natl Compr Canc Netw. Mar 16 (3): 245-254
- Benitez CM, Qu K, Sugiyama TS, et al 2014. An integrated cell purification and genomics strategy reveals multiple regulators of pancreas development. PLoS Genetics 10 (10): 1-15
- Sugiyama TS, Benitez CM, et al 2013. Reconstituting pancreas development from purified progenitor cells reveals genes essential for islet differentiation. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 110 (31): 12691-12696
- Arda HE, Benitez CM, and Kim SK 2013. Gene regulatory networks governing pancreas development. Developmental Cell. 25(1): 5-13
- Benitez CM. Goodyer WR, Kim SK. 2012. Deconstructing pancreas developmental biology. Cold Spring Harbor Perspect Biol. May 15 (also part of BOOK CHAPTER in “Mammalian Development: Networks, Switches, and Morphogenetic Processes”)