Radiotherapy Oncologist

Numerous criteria is evaluated before developing a cancer patient’s treatment plan. The type of treatment recommended is dependent on variables including patient age and medical history along with tumor characteristics. Often a combination of modalities including surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy are considered for a patient depending upon the stage and invasiveness of the tumor.

When doctors consider using radiotherapy as treatment for a patient, it might be used before, during, or after surgery. It might even be used as the sole treatment or in conjunction with chemotherapy. In these cases, a radiotherapy oncologist might contact the Cancer Center of Southern California, which is internationally known for advanced drug therapeutics and work with cancer patients. Many doctors refer their patients to Dr. Sant Chawla, Cancer Center director, who is frequently lead investigator in clinical drug trials.

Role of a Radiotherapy Oncologist

The radiotherapy oncologist works in tandem with other treatment doctors to coordinate timing. When radiotherapy is administered depends on the type of cancer and treatment goals. Depending on the patient’s case, radiotherapy is used either alone or with other modalities to eliminate cancer or prevent recurrence.

If radiotherapy is used with surgery, it could be administered either before surgery to eliminate part of the tumor. When combined with chemotherapy, radiotherapy could be used to remove the tumor after chemotherapy has reduced a portion of the mass. There are numerous variables, but the radiotherapy oncologists are accustomed to working closely with other practitioners like Dr. Chawla and the Cancer Center of Southern California.

Effective Radiotherapy Treatment Plan

First step in the treatment plan is determining the treatment site, dosage, and optimum pathway. Radiotherapy must be precisely calculated to minimize the risk of harming healthy tissue which means the radiation must be angled to target only the tumor site.

A radiotherapy oncologist also recommends the type of therapy which depend on several factors about the tumor, including:

• Location
• Size and type
• Proximity to healthy tissue

A patient’s personal information including overall health, medical history, and age also need to be part of the assessment.

Cancer Specialists Can Help You

If you would like consultation about your cancer diagnosis and treatment options, contact the knowledgeable specialists at the Cancer Center of Southern California. Dr. Sant Chawla is an internationally recognized authority on cancer treatment. Call today at 310-552-9999 to schedule a consultation.

Next, learn about the Cancer Center in Santa Monica.