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The Department of Radiation Oncology was created on July 1, 2001, having been part of the Mallinkcrodt Institute of Radiology for many years. The department has a broad academic program that focuses on excellence in patient care and the development of new treatment paradigms; innovative research in each of the four divisions of clinical, physics, biology and bioinformatics; and teaching for residents in radiation oncology, medical students and allied health personnel. The department is one of the largest, most academically balanced and best equipped in the country, and is responsible for all radiation therapy procedures at Washington University Medical Center. Our faculty has gained international recognition for innovative technological advances in physics and treatment planning, biological research, computer applications and clinical investigation.
Milestones
• demonstration of a hypoxic subpopulation in tumors in vivo
• demonstrated the importance of the cell cycle in the sensitivity to ionizing radiation
• customized (Cerrobend) shielding system to protect normal tissues during irradiation
• design and construction of the first small dedicated computer for radiation therapy treatment planning
• in collaboration with Varian Associates and NCI, design and construction of the first generation of high-energy, dual-modality, multiple-energies linear accelerator (Clinac 35)
• development of three-dimensional radiation therapy treatment planning and delivery systems
• clinical applications of 3-D conformal and intensity-modulated radiation therapy
• use of multiple imaging modalities in treatment planning in radiation therapy, including CT, PET and MRI scanning
• implementation of novel respiratory gating algorithms
• development of biomarkers of DNA repair capacity of tumors
The Department of Radiation Oncology currently occupies a large, attractive and convenient clinical facility on the ground floor of the Center for Advanced Medicine. The clinical facilities include nine linear accelerator rooms, four simulator rooms and a brachytherapy center with two high dose-rate treatment units. Furthermore, the facility houses the latest Gamma Knife unit, called Perfexion, which is operated in collaboration with HealthSouth Corporation. We have advanced treatment planning computer systems for 3-D conformal and intensity-modulated radiation therapy. We have four linear accelerators with on-board CT imaging capability. The brachytherapy suite includes capability for high dose-rate remote afterloading and for image-guided permanent prostate seed implants. Interstitial and external hyperthermia treatments are also available. Plans are in progress for the installation of a new type of proton treatment facility, using a miniaturized cyclotron mounted on a gantry.
The Physics faculty and the Bioinformatics group have research laboratories and offices on the fourth floor of the Clinical Sciences Research Building plus designated areas adjacent to the clinical facility in the CAM building. The Radiation Biology laboratory and faculty offices are housed at the 4511 Forest Park Building, where there has been a significant expansion of biology research space.
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Research
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Last Modification: 08/03/2009 | |