Radiation Oncology at Columbia St. Mary’s

Last Updated: Aug. 1, 2003

The use of radiation may be the primary method of treatment in cancer care or it may be used in conjunction with surgery or chemotherapy.

Sophisticated radiation therapy equipment and delivery systems at Columbia St. Mary’s Constance Walker Radiation Center are available to effectively treat many kinds of cancer throughout the body. Radiation therapy also can be used to relieve the pain caused by some cancers. Most treatments are administered on an outpatient basis.

Cutting edge equipment includes 2 linear accelerators, a CT simulator and computer planning systems allowing for a maximum dose to be delivered to the cancer itself while minimizing the dose to the surrounding normal tissue. The department offers the latest 3-D conformal and Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) for a high quality treatment within a warm and friendly environment.

Brachytherapy treatment, a form of radiation therapy that directly places radioactive sources into the diseased area, is available for treatment of gynecological, prostate and other tumors.

The radiation oncology team consists of:

• Radiation oncologists – board certified physicians specially trained in the use of radiation for cancer treatment
• Physicists – experts trained in radiation biology.
• Dosimetrists – experts in the field of dose calculation and distribution.
• Radiation therapists – specializing in the administration of the radiation treatments.
• Registered nurses – specializing in cancer care.
• Support professionals in dietary, pastoral care, psychology and care coordination.

The entire cancer care team is dedicated to providing the best care and is accredited by the American College of Radiology and participates in major national research studies.

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