Approximately 180 patients per day receive external beam irradiation resulting in a combined total of more than 30,000 radiation treatments delivered annually. In addition, about 200 radioactive implants are done each year. The Radiation Oncology staff includes eight board-certified radiation oncologists. Computerized treatment planning devices are available that allow for standard radiotherapy treatment planning and conformal treatment planning. In addition, a full-time Ph.D. scientist conducts basic research.
Residents rotate on a regular schedule through disease-oriented blocks.
The attending mentor ensures that all residents have the opportunity for additional experience relative to each major disease site. For instance, the gynecology mentor schedules opportunities for residents to see gynecological surgical procedures such as hysterectomy and radical vulvectomy. The gastrointestinal mentor schedules residents to follow abdominoperineal resections, low anterior resections and other pertinent procedures. The Department of Radiation Oncology at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., offers a two-month rotation in pediatric radiation oncology for Allegheny General Hospital radiation oncology residents at the PGY 4 or 5 level. The program introduces residents to the major pediatric cancers and reviews in both clinical and didactic sessions the clinical aspects of childhood cancer.