Clinical Care

The Department of Radiation Oncology at Washington University School of Medicine is a national leader in comprehensive cancer care. Our physicians, physicists, researchers, and many other radiation oncology staff have played a major role in developing many of the technologies and approaches to cancer treatment available today.

Leaders in our Field

We are the first Department of Radiation Oncology in St. Louis and the Midwest, to utilize ultrasound-guided permanent seed prostate implants, high dose rate brachytherapy for a variety of anatomical sites, stereotactic radiosurgery, intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), three dimensional treatment planning, and clinical trials with radioimmunotherapy.

We continue to be the leaders in these areas, with additional distinctions of being the only radiation therapy department in the greater St. Louis area to treat using Gamma Knife, serve as a Quality Assurance Center for Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) three-dimensional treatment planning clinical trials, provide the largest experience of treating gynecological cancers, provide professional education programs for radiation oncologists, medical physicists, medical dosimetrists, and radiation therapists.

Barnes-Jewish Hospital is ranked among the nation's top 10 hospitals according to U.S. News and World Report. The doctorsof Barnes-Jewish Hospital are faculty members of Washington University School of Medicine, recognized as a world leader in medical research and education. Through these institutions you will have access to the finest diagnostic and therapeutic services available anywhere.

The Department of Radiation Oncology collaborates with other disciplines throughout Washington University School of Medicine, using medical advances to improve radiation oncology in tumor localization, treatment planning and treatment delivery. Our work with Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology has allowed us to use sophisticated imaging techniques regularly such as positron emission tomography PET scans to better visualize certain tumors, therefore allowing more accuracy in planning the patient's treatment.

Team Approach

At the Radiation Oncology Center, we provide a team approach to care, in which highly specialized cancer professionals - physicians (radiation oncologists), radiation therapists, nurses, medical physicists, dosimetrists, social workers, dietitians, psychologists, and many others work together to deliver care individualized for your specific needs.

Services are provided at the Siteman Cancer Center, a designated National Cancer Institute cancer center, which is located within the new 14-story Center for Advanced Medicine. This leading-edge facility brings together leading physicians from many areas of medicine, and provides the latest technologies and services under one roof, making the patient experience as convenient and efficient as possible.