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Faculty

Breast Cancer

Our Breast Radiation Oncology department treats ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS, non invasive breast cancer), and all types of invasive breast cancer from the most common to the most rare. We have a dedicated inflammatory breast cancer program and a wide range of clinical trial options for early and late breast cancer.

We use heart-sparing techniques in all left-sided and high risk right-sided breast cancer. We are experts in advanced technologies such as photon/electron therapy, proton therapy, intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and volumetric modulated arc therapy.

Central Nervous System Tumors

Our CNS Radiation Oncology team specializes in treatment of all central nervous system tumors, both primary and metastatic. They work with neuro-oncologists, neurosurgeons, diagnostic neuro-radiologists, neuro-pathologists, radiation physicists and nurses who are experts in treating brain tumors and spinal tumors.

Gastrointestinal

Our Gastrointestinal Radiation Oncology department represents decades of gastrointestinal cancer expertise by internationally renowned radiation oncology doctors, including a specialized team of GI radiotherapy physician assistants, nurses, physicists, therapists and dosimetrists. We treat cancers of the stomach, liver, bile duct, pancreas, rectum and anus.

We offer every type of radiotherapy technology including intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), and proton therapy. Treatment plans are always selected and personalized for each patient. We are constantly working to improve radiotherapy for GI cancers, and offer many clinical trials designed to make radiotherapy more effective with fewer side effects.

Genitourinary

Our Genitourinary Radiation Oncology department treats prostate cancer, bladder cancer, testicular cancer and kidney cancer. Radiation therapy can be given as a primary treatment or in combination with surgery and/or systemic therapy (including immunotherapy). Palliative radiation therapy to decrease symptoms from metastatic cancer (such as pain from bone metastasis) is also given.

Radiation therapy options available at MD Anderson include external beam radiation, intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), brachytherapy, stereotactic body therapy (SBRT) and proton beam radiation therapy.

Gynecology

Our Gynecologic Radiation Oncology team treats cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, vaginal cancer and vulvar cancer. Radiation therapy may be administered curatively with or without chemotherapy or may be delivered following surgery to minimize the risk of recurrence.

Radiation therapy is also effective for treating symptoms due to gynecologic cancers, such as pain or bleeding. Treatment delivery techniques include external beam radiotherapy, proton therapy and brachytherapy (internal radiation treatment delivered with radioactive implants).

Brachytherapy is delivered with high dose rate treatment as an outpatient or as pulsed dose rate which is delivered during a two to three day inpatient stay. Precision targeting of tumor includes the use of imaging with CT and/or MRI for treatment planning and daily assessment of treatment delivery. Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) or 3-D conformal therapy may be used in selected cases to minimize the risk of side effects from treatment.

Head and Neck Cancers

Our Head and Neck Radiation Oncology team uses radiation treatment in critical areas that cannot be treated with surgery. Radiation therapy can control early head and neck cancers as well as surgery, and in some cases, is superior for preserving appearance and organ function.

MD Anderson uses intensity modulation and dynamic multileaf collimation to shield the eyes, lips, tongue, brain and other normal tissues from unnecessary exposure.

Hematologic Malignancies

Our Hematological Malignancies section includes specialists that exclusively treats patients with lymphoma, leukemia and myeloma. This includes patients treated in the setting of transplant and cellular therapy like CAR T-Cell therapy. We use modern technology to insure an outstanding therapeutic ratio, where avoiding excess dose to critical organs is our number one priority. Our team works collaboratively in approaching every patient with extraordinary efforts to tailor the treatment decisions and radiation planning according to each specific situation. We also work closely with our referring medical oncologists.

Our faculty has active research protocols addressing many challenging situations to explore a better outcome for our patients, all registered by the National Cancer Institute. They are involved on a national and international level in writing up-to-date guidelines to ensure a modern treatment for hematological malignancies.

Bouthaina Dabaja, M.D., Section Chief
Penny Fang, M.D.
Jillian Gunther, M.D., Ph.D.
Chelsea C. Pinnix, M.D., Ph.D.
Susan Wu, M.D.

Melanoma and Sarcoma

Radiation therapy is a critical component of the treatment plan for many sarcoma patients. Preoperative and postoperative radiation therapy is used regularly to treat soft tissue sarcomas, including unclassified pleomorphic sarcomas, synovial sarcomas, liposarcomas, leiomyosarcomas, as well as many other types of sarcomas.

Some bone tumors are also treated with radiation therapy. Radiation therapy can also be an important part of treatment for melanomas and other skin malignancies. High-energy photons, electrons, protons, as well as advanced conformal techniques are used in plans designed by experts for these rare tumors.

Andrew J. Bishop, M.D.
Ahsan Farooqi, M.D.
Ashleigh Guadagnolo, M.D., M.P.H., Section Chief
Devarati Mitra, M.D., Ph.D.
Alison Yoder M.D., M.P.H.

Pediatrics

We treat all pediatric tumors that require radiation therapy, including medulloblastoma, childhood brain tumors, rhabdomyosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma. Pediatric patients may be treated with conventional radiotherapy, proton therapy, three-dimensional conformal therapy, intensity-modulated radiotherapy or fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy, depending on what is appropriate for each patient. The pediatric team is also experienced in the use of total body irradiation for bone marrow or stem cell transplant.

Thoracic

Our team of specialists within the Thoracic Radiation Oncology department offers various radiotherapeutic techniques, including proton therapy, three-dimensional radiotherapy, intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) designed to optimally eradicate these cancers while offering maximal sparing of the surrounding normal tissue. Radiation therapy alone or in combination with surgery, chemotherapy or immunotherapy are effective approaches to treat lung cancer, esophageal cancer, thymic cancers and malignant mesothelioma.

Physician Scientists

The Radiation Oncology division's Research Physician-Scientist Program (PSP) facilitates synergy and collaboration among lab groups, and enables their success at bridging translational research and clinical practice.