Central Nervous System (CNS) Cancers
The CNS team, led by Zabi Wardak, M.D., works alongside neurosurgery specialists in the Annette Simmons Stereotactic Center, as well as with radiation oncology physicists, biologists, dosimetrists, therapists, and various other dedicated clinical staff. Our disease-site-specific team treats a higher volume of patients than any other center in North Texas.
What sets us apart?
- Both malignant and benign brain tumors are treated on our Gamma Knife Icon – the newest Gamma Knife and the only one of its kind in the Dallas-Fort Worth area – or the CyberKnife M6, both of which deliver increased protection to patients and highly focused radiation to tumors.
- The Icon doesn’t require head restraints as used in previous models, allowing for a better patient experience. Additionally, treatments are less restricted with the Icon as we’re able to spread out the treatments in smaller doses, which is better-tolerated by normal tissues. For patients with multiple tumors, we’re able to spread treatments over the course of several days.
- Our CNS-specific nursing team is specially trained to care for and screen calls from CNS patients.
Get patient resources for CNS cancers.
Gastrointestinal (GI) Cancer
Gastrointestinal cancer, which includes any cancer that starts in the digestive system, can be particularly challenging to treat. Led by Michael Folkert, M.D., Ph.D., our team offers comprehensive care for people with all types and stages of GI cancer.
What sets us apart?
- Our comprehensive stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) program offers multiple open protocols for pancreatic cancer, treatment of primary and metastatic cancers of the liver (the latter in as few as a single treatment), and definitive treatment of cholangiocarcinoma in coordination with our liver transplantation program.
- Our advanced intraoperative radiation therapy program is available to assist our surgical teams in the management of locally advanced and recurrent gastrointestinal malignancies.
- We are one of the few radiation oncology programs in the country that offers interstitial brachytherapy for liver lesions (primary cancer on protocol, metastatic as standard of care).
- Our palliative brachytherapy program for esophageal cancer, malignant obstructive biliary disease, and rectal cancer
- We have site-specific tumor boards for liver and pancreatic cancers and general tumor boards for GI malignancies affecting both thoracic and abdominal/pelvic sites.
Get patient resources for gastrointestinal cancer.
Genitourinary (GU) Cancer
Led by Raquibul Hannan, M.D., Ph.D., our genitourinary team cares for all GU cancers and offers a variety of treatment options, including stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), RapidArc intensity-modulated radiation therapy, image-guided radiation therapy, HDR and LDR brachytherapy, and CyberKnife. Treatments are chosen and individualized to each patient based on their specific disease and baseline symptoms. Our multidisciplinary groups work together to not only treat patients, but to better address side effects.
What sets us apart?
- We offer SBRT for kidney cancer for both primary and metastatic sites.
- For prostate cancer patients, we offer SpaceOAR, a gel that increases the space between the prostate and rectum during radiation therapy. The goals are to reduce the sexual side effects after treatment and radiation to the lining of the rectum. Our team, an early adopter of the gel, is now a leading training site for other centers wanting to bring this technology to their center.
- A variety of GU clinical trials – most of which were designed here at UT Southwestern – including several for prostate and kidney cancers. Clinical trials are crucial to investigate new applications of emerging technology to improve outcomes in high-risk diseases and to reduce side effects in groups at lower risk.
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Gynecologic Cancer
Kevin Albuquerque, M.D., head of our gynecology cancer team, specializes in internal radiation therapy (brachytherapy) – in particular, interstitial brachytherapy – one of the few centers in North Texas to offer this specialty. Based on a patient’s needs and specific cancer, we offer both inpatient and outpatient high-dose-rate brachytherapy.
What sets us apart?
- Brachytherapy is preferred for most gynecologic cancer sites and organs because of their proximity to the vagina where we can use special instruments internally to get closer to the tumor. Combined with the high doses of radiation, this means we’re able to kill the tumors faster.
- Brachytherapy has been shown to improve the outcome in patients with advanced cervical cancer and reduced associated complications.
- We offer MRI-guided brachytherapy – a technique offered at few other centers.
- We have radiation treatment options for patients with uterine cancer that are unable to have surgery.
- Stereotactic radiation therapy is available for select recurrent gynecologic cancers.
- We offer access to regional and national gynecological cancer clinical trials.
Get patient resources for gastrointestinal cancer.