Sidney Wallace, 84, interventional radiology pioneer

THE FAMILY OF Dr. Sidney Wallace ran out of words in trying to describe him:

"Physician, scholar, author, teacher, researcher, inventor, businessman, painter, sculptor, cartoonist, songwriter, singer."

And, oh yes, "outstanding husband, father and grandfather."

It was not hard for those who knew Sidney Wallace to believe that one man could embody all these splendid characterizations.

Add one more accomplishment: He once cured himself of kidney cancer.

Sidney Wallace, a pioneer in the field of interventional radiology, developer of a cancer drug and an artist and musician in what spare time he allowed himself, died May 25 of cancer. He was 84 and lived in Houston.

Wallace was professor emeritus of the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. As a radiologist, he developed many techniques and devices to improve the procedures, which seek to treat and diagnose a variety of diseases without surgery.

"His excitement about the then-burgeoning world of interventional radiology bordered on the evangelical," his family said. "He was bursting with enthusiasm to share it and spread the interventional gospel."

Sidney was born in Strawberry Mansion to Sylvia and Charles Wallace. The family later moved to the Northeast, and Sidney graduated from Central High School. He went on to Temple University, where he earned a bachelor's degree, then received a medical degree from Temple Medical School. He served his radiology residency at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.

He later moved to Houston, where he became professor of radiology, chairman of the department of diagnostic radiology and head of the Division of Diagnostic Imaging at the M.D. Anderson center.

"A central tenet of Dr. Wallace's work was teaching the next generation," his family said. "He lectured often and everywhere."

His wife, Marsha, was usually his traveling companion when he conducted lectures in the U.S. and overseas. In fact, she once substituted for him because she had heard his talks so often.

He probably saved his own life 30 years ago when he developed kidney cancer, by embolizing the kidney, a technique that blocks blood flow to the organ and thereby stops tumor growth.

"His creative endeavors went far beyond medicine," his family said. "He was also an avid painter, sculptor, songwriter, all done in his spare time, and always done with tremendous energy and verve."

After retiring in 1996, Wallace developed a drug, paclitaxel poliglumex, called Opaxio, to treat ovarian cancer, and licensed it to Cell Therapeutics. It is now in Phase 3 trials before the Federal Drug Administration.

"The drug was developed in response to Dr. Wallace's sister's battle with ovarian cancer," his family said.

Besides his wife, he is survived by three sons, Stewart Wallace, Jonathan Friedman and Michael Wallace; three daughters, Dianne Festa, Andrea Wallace and Valerie Wallace; and five grandchildren.

Services: Were yesterday in Houston.

Donations may be made to a fund for support of interventional radiology in cancer treatment: ealabastro@mdanderson.org.