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Radiation Oncology
New Patient Appointment or 214-645-8525
At UT Southwestern Medical Center, our team of radiation oncologists treats more than 3,600 people with cancer each year. Our patient-centric focus combined with state-of-the art technology means patients can expect the best treatment possible.
We are the only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer center in North Texas and one of only 49 NCI-designated comprehensive care centers in the nation. As such, we are held to the highest of standards and are recognized for excellence in clinical care, as well as scientific research and leadership.
Our radiation oncologists have specialized training in radiation treatment and are board-certified by the American Board of Radiology. Our team helped pioneer stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SAbR)/stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), a revolutionary technique that has been shown to offer better cure rates – particularly for cancer that has metastasized.
Our radiation oncologists work closely with radiation physicists, radiation biologists, dosimetrists, radiation therapists, nurses, dietitians, and other clinical staff to ensure each patient receives the most comprehensive and thorough care possible. In addition, clinical care is divided into disease-oriented teams so that patients receive care by those who specialize in their specific cancer. As with all of UT Southwestern, we are committed to transparency in reporting our experiences and outcomes.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and will affect one in eight women during her lifetime. At UT Southwestern, we offer multidisciplinary care, including a breast-specific tumor board, that brings all specialists (radiation oncologists, surgeons, medical oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, and genetic counselors) under one roof to devise the best treatment plan for each patient. Our breast cancer team, led by Asal Rahimi, M.D., also offers multiple cutting-edge radiation clinical trials.
We have the most comprehensive deep inspiration breath hold (DIBH)-based cardiac-sparing radiation treatment program in North Texas for patients with left-sided breast cancer including:
We also have one of two GammaPods in the world and the only one in Texas, and we are one of the few departments in the world that has a Stereotactic Partial Breast Irradiation Program. Additionally, we have the largest published clinical trial experience in this protocol.
We offer comprehensive, patient-focused breast cancer treatment using the latest techniques, therapies, and technology. Our team includes some of the best breast cancer specialists in the world who have dedicated their entire clinical practice to treating breast cancer. Here Asal Rahimi, M.D., head of our breast team, explains our approach in treating breast cancer.
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.
Get patient resources for CNS cancers.
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.
Get patient resources for gastrointestinal 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.
Get patient resources for gastrointestinal 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.
Our head and neck radiation oncologists focus only on head and neck cancer, which means that they have a level of expertise unparalleled with other cancer programs. Led by David Sher, M.D., M.P.H., our head and neck team works collaboratively and meets regularly with other specialists, including neuroradiologists and head and neck pathologists, to ensure each patient receives one-on-one personalized care.
Lung cancer requires specialized care based on each patient’s specific needs. Our lung cancer team, led by Puneeth Iyengar, M.D., Ph.D., offers our patients some of the most effective techniques in radiation treatment.
Lymphoma (cancer of the blood cells of the immune system) can affect any part of the body where lymph nodes normally exist. Our team of medical oncologists, bone marrow transplantation specialists, radiologists, radiation oncologists, pathologists, nurses, and care coordinators work together to give the best possible multidisciplinary treatment options to each individual patient. Neil Desai, M.D., M.H.S. leads the radiation oncology arm of the team.
Get patient resources for lymphoma.
Our faculty and staff have the most experience in North Texas for treating pediatric cancers. In addition, we have specialty-trained doctors and pediatric nursing and anesthesia for children that require special services.
