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Halasz
Lia M. Halasz, MD
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Lia M. Halasz, MD

Radiation Oncology

  • Co-Medical Director, Alvord Brain Tumor Center at UW Medical Center - Montlake and the Gamma Knife Center at UW Medical Center - Northwest
  • Professor, Radiation Oncology Division, Fred Hutch
  • Professor, Department of Radiation Oncology; Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine
  • Gerlich Family Endowed Chair in Neuro-oncology, UW Medicine
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About

Dr. Lia Halasz is a board-certified radiation oncologist and researcher at Fred Hutch. She specializes in brain and spinal cord cancers, working to improve outcomes and quality of life through advanced radiation therapies and clinical trials.

Provider Background

Dr. Halasz treats both primary and metastatic brain cancers. As a radiation oncologist, she uses a range of advanced radiation techniques, including proton therapy and stereotactic radiosurgery, to precisely target tumors while protecting healthy surrounding tissue.

Dr. Halasz is co-medical director of the Alvord Brain Tumor Center at UW Medical Center – Montlake and the Gamma Knife Center at UW Medical Center – Northwest, as well as Chief of Service for Radiation Oncology at Harborview Medical Center.

In her research, Dr. Halasz studies the clinical outcomes of patients with brain tumors who receive radiation therapy, with the goal of improving both the delivery of care and patients’ overall quality of life. Her research also focuses on improving clinical outcomes for patients with central nervous system metastases by using and evaluating advanced radiation therapy techniques, specifically stereotactic radiosurgery and proton therapy. 

Dr. Halasz is the principal investigator and co-investigator in prospective clinical trials testing new treatments for patients with gliomas and other central nervous system metastases. Her research also focuses on the barriers and facilitators that American Indian and Alaska Native communities encounter in accessing radiation oncology care in the Pacific Northwest. 

Area of Clinical Practice
Brain and spinal cord cancers

“To me, being a physician means not only treating the disease, but supporting my patients’ strength, hope and recovery.”

— Dr. M. Halasz

Why do you work with patients who have brain and spinal cord tumors?

Ever since my residency, I’ve been drawn to the field of neuro-oncology. Brain tumors greatly affect patients in terms of the symptoms they experience. These tumors can hinder a person’s ability to think, speak and take care of themselves. I’ve always found it very meaningful to work with patients and families during this difficult time, helping them make decisions and witnessing the strength that they bring. There are also moments of joy in my profession, when patients who were initially given a prognosis of just a few months go on to do very well because of new drug therapies. Years later, when they see me for follow-up appointments, they’re still living their lives — going hiking or enjoying their grandchildren. Nothing can compare to those happy times.

What is your approach to care?

Nobody has ever been you with your particular tumor. You are unique, as is the way cancer affects your body and your life. I enjoy working together with you and your family to create a treatment plan that maximizes your ability to beat cancer while also carefully considering your life after treatment as a survivor. While things may not return to “normal” after a cancer diagnosis, many of my patients go on to live full lives; they are able to resume the activities they enjoy and that give their lives purpose and meaning. To me, being a physician means not only treating the disease, but supporting my patients’ strength, hope and recovery.

Diseases Treated

Brain and Spinal Cord Cancers

Head and Neck Cancers

Melanoma

Brain and Spinal Cord Cancers

Brain Tumors

Breast Cancer

Lung Cancer

Radiation therapy for central nervous system tumors

Metastatic disease

2021-present INROADS: Increasing Native Radiation Oncology Access: Disparities and Solutions (Co-principal investigator with Dedra Buchwald MD MPH); Kuni Foundation Discovery Grant Principal Investigator, Hippocampal Avoidance Craniospinal Irradiation for Leptomeningeal Disease. Investigator Initiated, multicenter study. Open.

Languages

English

Education and Experience

Residency, Radiation Oncology, Harvard University, 2011

Internship, Internal Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard University,  2007

MD, Harvard University, 2006

AB, Biochemical Sciences, Harvard College, 2000

Board Certification

Radiation Oncology, 2012, American Board of Radiology

Awards

Seattle Magazine's 2024 Top Doctors Award
Dr. Moriguchi Halasz has received this peer-nominated award for her exceptional patient care multiple years.

Seattle Met's 2024 Top Doctors Award
Dr. Moriguchi Halasz has received this peer-nominated award for her exceptional patient care multiple years.

Kuni Foundation Discovery Grant, 2021

UW Radiation Oncology Faculty Teaching Award, 2020 & 2021

Clinical Trials

We make promising new treatments available to you through studies called clinical trials led by Fred Hutch physicians and researchers. Many of these trials at Fred Hutch have led to FDA-approved treatments and have improved standards of care globally. Together, you and your physician can decide if a study is right for you. 

Find a Clinical Trial Led by Dr. Halasz

Publications

Many of our Fred Hutch physicians and researchers conduct ongoing research to improve standards of patient care. Their work is evaluated by other physicians and selected for publication to the United States National Library of Medicine, the largest medical library in the world. See scientific papers this Fred Hutch physician has written. 

View Dr. Halasz's Publications

Your Care Team

At Fred Hutch, you receive care from a team of providers with extensive experience in your disease. Your team includes physicians, a patient care coordinator, a registered nurse, an advanced practice provider and others, based on your needs. You also have access to experts like registered dietitians, social workers, acupuncturists, psychiatrists and more who specialize in supporting people with cancer or blood disorders. 

Meet Other Providers

Insurance

Fred Hutch accepts most national private health insurance plans as well as Medicare. We also accept Medicaid for people from Washington, Alaska, Montana and Idaho. We are working to ensure that everyone, no matter what their financial situation, has access to the care they need.

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Stories

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The Beam: Proton therapy clinical trials; prevention and treatment of ocular melanoma; beating the winter blues Clinical trials are critical to advancing treatment for cancer patients; learn about risk factors for ocular melanoma; tips on keeping winter mood swings at bay December 19, 2025
Following a surprising cancer diagnosis, a mother of two turned to experts at UW Medicine and Fred Hutch for care and proton therapy
Following a surprising cancer diagnosis, a mother of two turned to experts at UW Medicine and Fred Hutch for care and proton therapy She researched the pros and cons of protons and ultimately decided the therapy made the most sense. August 19, 2025
The Beam: Proton therapy for sarcomas; radiation oncology residency program
The Beam: Proton therapy for sarcomas; radiation oncology residency program Can proton therapy benefit sarcoma patients? What are residencies, and why are they important in health care? June 25, 2025