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Radiation Oncology

Employing highly qualified personnel and state-of-the-art techniques and equipment, the Radiation Oncology team is well-prepared to treat the most complex forms of cancer.

We provide advanced techniques and systems such as:

  • TrueBeam
  • intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)
  • stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT)
  • intra-operative radiotherapy (IORT)
  • prostate seed implants, and 
  • high dose rate brachytherapy (HDR)  

Our multidisciplinary team also includes an oncology certified dietician and social worker. We have board certified physicists, dosimetrists, radiation therapists, nursing staff, as well other support staff to aid directly with radiation treatment. We also work very closely with multiple physician specialties such as medical oncology and surgical oncology to treat patients in a comprehensive manner. 

Here are some frequently asked questions (and their answers) that we field in Radiation Oncology:

What is radiation oncology? 

Radiation oncology or radiotherapy is the use of high energy rays to impair the growth and division of cancer cells. Radiotherapy is delivered by a radiation oncologist and the radiotherapy team. 

What's the difference between systemic therapy, radiotherapy and surgery? 

The general goal of all three types of treatment is to eliminate the malignancy; however, each modality is slightly different. Surgery is a local treatment in which a tumor is resected by an oncologic surgeon. Radiotherapy in a sense is similar to surgery in that treatment is usually targeted to a local or regional area by a radiation oncologist. Systemic therapies such as chemotherapy or immunotherapy exert effects throughout the entire body and are administered by a medical oncologist. Depending on the type and stage of a patient's disease, a multi-disciplinary approach may need to be utilized. 

Tell me more about Holy Cross's multidisciplinary tumor boards.  

Our multidisciplinary tumor boards are made up of a variety of healthcare professionals who are able to work together to provide specific services to the patient. For example, in our breast multidisciplinary clinic patients are able to be evaluated by the nurse coordinator, genetic counselor, surgical oncologist, medical oncologist, radiation oncologist, social worker and dietician during one visit. This structure allows the patient to be evaluated by multiple physicians in one day thereby improving efficiency and eliminating the anxiety of multiple physician visits. 

How and when is patient care coordinated? 

After physicians and other members of the treatment team complete their respective assessments, each patient is discussed in the multidisciplinary tumor board. We have multiple disease site specific tumor boards. At these meetings we thoroughly review each patient's presentation, history, pathology, and imaging in order to arrive at a group consensus. At the end of the meeting, we communicate our treatment recommendations to our patients.  

What else should I know about the Holy Cross Hospital’s Michael and Dianne Bienes Comprehensive Cancer Center? 

We are located in the heart of Fort Lauderdale with some of the most accomplished and well-trained physicians in South Florida. We also have a partnership with Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and as such we are able to provide high quality patient care through shared clinical trials, tumor boards and research endeavors. Furthermore, we have an academic affiliation with the University of Miami. 

Watch this video to learn more.