About Radiation Oncology

The Department of Radiation Oncology is a leading radiation oncology center with the most advanced research programs in all 3 areas of the radiation oncology specialty. We have one of the busiest Gamma Knife programs in the southeast and an active extracranial stereotactic program.

Advanced Radiation Technology 

Within the department, there is a 3.0 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging unit and a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanner dedicated to Bioanatomic treatment planning. The department conducts NIH-funded research in its clinical, medical physics and radiation biology sections.

Priority on Patient Care 

Cancer patients can sometimes spend weeks undergoing radiation therapy. We are proud that we always get the highest marks for customer service. In addition to registered nurses, research nurses, radiation therapists, dosimetrists, a social worker and a nutritionist, we have a physician’s assistant who provides guidance to breast and prostate cancer patients. We are proud of our Cancer Patient Support program which can help with the psychological aspects of cancer care.

Radiation Oncology Research 

An important part of our research is symptom management. We are involved in the following studies:

• Nausea and vomiting studies—can we decrease the side effects by giving new medication following radiation therapy for gastrointestinal cancers
• Brain cancer—we are examining if it’s possible to slow neurocognitive decline after radiation treatment
• Quality of life and late effects—for patients who are living longer, after radiation treatment, how do we control and minimize side effects so their quality of life does not decline

Learn more about Research and Clinical Trials at Wake Forest.