Michael Lagios

06/25/1938 - 04/07/2024

Michael Lagios was a true Renaissance man. He was born and raised in San Francisco. He received his BA from University of California Berkeley and his MD from University of California San Francisco where he also completed his residency in pathology. His passions included swimming, diving, biking, running, triathlons, good food and wine, and baroque music. Some of his early joys included free diving along the California coast for abalone and fish which kindled his interest in the fish of the area. He enjoyed daily swims in San Francisco Bay and semiannual Alcatraz-SF swims with the South End Rowing Club. He competed in many local and state-wide triathlons, and many Dipsea races, but completing 3 Hawaii Ironman Triathlons was among his prized accomplishments.

Michael’s early research on comparative fish endocrinology began at UC Berkeley while an undergraduate and continued while he was at UCSF, in the Army and then in private practice. His work and observations of the pituitary of primitive fish resulted in extensive publication. He was made a Fellow of the California Academy of Sciences in 1978. His association with the Academy as its consulting pathologist and with Dr. John McCosker enabled him to participate in two expeditions to the Comoro Islands in search of the then recently discovered relic fish the coelacanth (Latimeria chalumnae). His histologic findings on the pituitary of Latimeria led him to believe and publish that this ancient species was closely related to elasmobranchs, a heretical view at the time. This observation has now been corroborated with DNA technology.

Michael was a pioneering researcher on the biology and treatment of breast disease, particularly of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast. His work in this area in the early days of mammography (1982) was the first to suggest that radical mastectomy for small, non-invasive lesions of the breast was not necessary and that lumpectomy with wide margins would be adequate. This revolutionized the treatment of early breast disease and is his enduring legacy, for which millions of women are grateful.

Michael authored or co-authored much of the pertinent literature on DCIS over a 30-year period. His work with colleague Dr. Melvin Silverstein resulted in the publication of the Van Nuys Prognostic Index for predicting outcome in patients with DCIS of the breast. He lectured extensively and internationally.

His unwavering commitment to excellence led him to establish The Breast Cancer Consultation Service which provided second-opinion review of the diagnostic and imaging materials and treatment recommendations for self and physician-referred patients throughout the country. This service resulted in appropriate treatment for hundreds of women, often allowing them to avoid mastectomy and radiation therapy. He was also associated with California Pacific Medical Center and St. Mary’s Medical Center, both in San Francisco.

Michael’s Greek heritage was important to him. He read extensively in the fields of Greek/Byzantine history and in recent years he enjoyed studying the Greek language with tutors in Crete, always trying to increase his fluency. This was an elusive grail!

Michael is loved and mourned by his wife Sheila Lagios, his daughter Anna Lagios Tsu and his brother Robert Domenichini as well as close friends and colleagues who will miss his warm smile, sense of humor and enthusiasm. Services for Michael will be private. In lieu of flowers, gifts in Michael’s honor may be made to the California Academy of Sciences, Department of Ichthyology.