Radiation therapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation therapy can be used to treat many types of cancer, including cancers of the breast, brain, prostate, lung and head and neck.
Radiation therapy generally doesn’t cure cancer. It is often used in combination with other treatments such as surgery or chemotherapy to help destroy cancer cells that remain after surgery or to relieve symptoms caused by the tumor.
Types of radiation therapy:
External beam radiation therapy: This type of radiation therapy uses a machine outside your body to deliver the high-energy rays directly to the tumor. External beam radiation therapy may be used alone or with other treatments such as surgery or chemotherapy. The amount of energy used during external beam radiation depends on the type of tumor being treated and your overall health status.
Radiation Therapy Programs In Philadelphia
The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine is a top-ranked medical school with cutting-edge research, clinical care and teaching. The Department of Radiation Oncology offers advanced training in radiation oncology for both residents and fellows.
Residency Program:
This program provides advanced training in Radiation Oncology for residents who have already completed their initial residency training in Internal Medicine or Surgery. The program is offered at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP) and Lankenau Medical Center (LMC). The residency program has been accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education since 1973.
Fellowship Program:
This fellowship program is designed for physicians who have completed an Internal Medicine residency or General Surgery residency, but have not yet completed a fellowship in Radiation Oncology. The program is offered at HUP and LMC. It is accredited by the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) as a categorical subspecialty fellowship program in Radiation Oncology.
The commonwealth of Pennsylvania is one of the largest states in the country, spanning over 46,000 square miles. Philadelphia is the state’s largest city and home to some of the most prestigious universities in the country. The University of Pennsylvania, Drexel University and Temple University are all located within city limits.
Radiation therapy programs in Philadelphia offer students a wealth of opportunities to succeed in their future careers. Students gain hands-on experience at major hospitals throughout the area, including Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Hahnemann University Hospital and Lankenau Medical Center. Students also have access to a wide variety of resources through these organizations that include libraries, computer centers and research labs.
