Department Overview
The Department of Radiation Oncology continues to grow as it strives to become a “Top Ten” radiation oncology department nationally. There are currently 11 radiation oncologists, 11 radiation physicists (ongoing recruitment for a 12th) , and three radiation biologists. The Department has just completed its second year in the new Outpatient Comprehensive Cancer Center. With in-department CT/PET and MRI scanners as radiation therapy simulation devices, a Leksell Gamma Knife for cranial radiosurgery as well as an extracranial (body) radiosurgery system, Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy treatment planning and delivery, and an Integrated Brachytherapy Unit, the Department continues to be one of the most technologically sophisticated in the world.
The Radiation Oncology Residency Training Program attracts very high quality residents. There are currently six in the Program. The ratio of applicants to positions is in excess of 100 to 1 as radiation oncology has become one of the most competitive specialties in all of medicine; our Program is now one of the most sought after east of the Mississippi. Radiation Physics and both classical and molecular radiation biology are taught to the residents, who also spend 6 to 12 months performing basic laboratory research. The Department, which was the recipient of a NIH/NCI T32 Training Grant last year (which focuses on translational radiation oncology research for post-doctoral fellows in clinical radiation oncology, biology and physics), presently has two fellows in-training with two other fellows coming between July 2006 and January 2007. , the Program successfully recruited its first two trainees, an MD as well as PhD radiation biologist in the summer of 2005.
Clinical and basic research activities are at an all-time high with NIH/NCI grants, foundation/society grants, and industry grants totaling nearly $3 million. The study of radiation injury to the normal tissues (particularly brain and kidney) and angiogenesis being actively investigated in the Department's Radiation Research laboratories. Bioanatomic radiation therapy treatment planning and delivery, integrating functional and biophysiological imaging with MRI, MR spectroscopy and positron emission tomography are areas of active investigation by the Clinical and Research/Education Radiation Physics Sections.
The Department of Radiation Oncology has three affiliated practices which are staffed with physicians and physicists including High Point Regional Health System in High Point, North Carolina, Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital in Elkin, North Carolina, and Caldwell Memorial Hospital in Lenoir, North Carolina. In total the Department and its affiliated practices treat over 150 patients per day with radiation therapy. The Department also provides physics coverage at Iredell Memorial Hospital in Statesville, North Carolina.
In the last year, the Wake Forest, High Point, Hugh Chatham, and Caldwell Memorial practices consulted on nearly 2500 patients, saw over 5000 patients in follow up, treated nearly 1600 patients with external beam radiation therapy, and performed over 600 special procedures including GKSRS, prostate and gynecologic brachytherapy, total body irradiation, and others. In summary, the Department of Radiation Oncology is well positioned locally, regionally, nationally and internationally as a leader in the treatment and research of radiation therapy for malignant and select benign diseases.