Radiation Oncology
Call (202) 715-5097 to Schedule Your Online Virtual Visit
Please call (202) 715-5097 to schedule an online virtual health appointment with Radiation Oncology. Please note: You will be prompted to download the Zoom software to use on your computer, tablet, or smartphone. The software is free and safe to use. Learn more about online virtual visits.
The GW Medical Faculty Associates’ Radiation Oncology is world-renowned for offering the highest level of radiation delivery and care to patients, while advancing treatments for future patients. Using state-of-the-art technologies, GW radiation oncologists deliver powerful doses of radiation directly to the tumor with exquisite precision. The approaches we use reduce the number of sessions required for radiation treatment in comparison with more conventional approaches, while also limiting side effects.
Our radiation oncologists are committed to the practice of evidence-based medicine and continually find new and better treatment options that improve patient outcomes in the treatment of cancer. Our team works to offer the highest level of safety during every step of treatment. We collaborate closely with highly trained medical physicists in sub-specialized teams to create an individualized radiation treatment plan for every patient. Radiation therapists are present during each radiation procedure to ensure the correct dose of radiation is being delivered precisely where it’s needed.
The clinical department provides patients a wide range of radiation oncology services that includes intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), image guided radiation therapy (IGRT) and 3D conformal radiation therapy (3DCRT), stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), and brachytherapy (interstitial, intracavitary, HDR and LDR). Our goal is to deliver high quality medical care and services to patients, to conduct clinical, translational, and basic scientific research, and to provide educational opportunities to patients, health care workers, and the community.
Our dedicated, supportive staff will make you feel comfortable while you receive the personalized, world-class medical care you expect from The GW Medical Faculty Associates and George Washington University Hospital.
- Letter from the Chief
- Why Choose Us
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At GW Radiation Oncology, we have unmatched clinical and technical expertise in performing radiation therapy that is done in a rational and meaningful manner. Led by our expert radiation oncologists and medical physicists, you can expect only the best clinical care from the moment you walk into our clinic, until you have completed your radiation treatments. We have the experience, track record, and technology to precisely deliver this potent, accurate, and precise radiation therapy. We utilize state-of-the art radiation machines such as the TrueBeam™ STx to deliver SBRT.
- Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)
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Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is the most advanced form of 3D conformal radiation therapy, a technique that adjusts the radiation beam to the contours of a tumor, allowing for higher, more effective doses of radiation to be delivered while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissue.
More information about Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy
- Image-Guided Radiation Therapy
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Image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) is one of the most advanced innovations in cancer technology available. There are many factors that may contribute to differences between the planned dose distribution and the delivered dose distribution. One such factor is uncertainty in patient position on the treatment unit. IGRT refers to the use of advanced imaging (2D and 3D) to assure that the positioning of the tumor will match the highly conformal dose delivery that can be achieved on state-of-the-art machines.
- Three Dimensional Conformal Radiation Therapy
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In clinical practice, Three-Dimensional Conformal Radiation Therapy (3DCRT) is a conventional technique for radiation therapy treatments. This technique involves designing a treatment plan that can lead to uniform dose distribution within the target volume. Using our state of the art linear accelerators, we utilize beam modifiers such as wedges and compensating filters to improve dose distributions. We also perform image fusion, where we incorporate all diagnostic imaging, including CT scans, MRI and PET scans into the radiation treatment planning process. This allows us to more accurately outline the tumor using all the information from multiple images. Thus, 3DCRT is an excellent treatment option for many patients. At GW, we routinely use 3DCRT for treatment of breast cancer, lung cancer, and pelvic malignancies.
GW has a long history of being at the forefront of the development and implementation of 3DCRT modalities to assure highly accurate radiation therapy treatments. The department was one of the first to implement CT scans in the treatment of patients with brachytherapy to ensure accurate dose delivery.
- Stereotactic Radiosurgery
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Various forms of radiation are commonly involved in the treatment of brain tumors and selected other brain conditions. GW has a wide variety of available techniques and specialized equipment, so that the best treatment can be chosen for any individual case. One technique, stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), involves the delivery of a high dose of radiation precisely focused on a target within the brain. SRS is a non-surgical procedure and does not involve an actual knife; it is called “radiosurgery” because of its precision.
- Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy
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Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) is a type of radiation treatment like SRS, except that it treats tumors outside of the brain. SBRT requires a number of special techniques to deliver ablative RT safely and effectively. This includes custom and strict immobilization, use of multiple beams to create conformal dose distribution, image guidance with each treatment with cone-beam CT, and accuracy within millimeters. Multiple beams allows for shaping of highly conformal dose, particularly sparing the critical structures which can be within millimeters of the target volume. SBRT is always delivered in either a single high-dose treatment or up to 5 treatments, depending on the type of cancer being treated, the tolerance of adjacent normal tissues, and other factors.
- Brachytherapy
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Brachytherapy delivers radiation by placing radioactive material inside your body, either directly inside a tumor or very close to it. This method, sometimes called internal radiation, spares healthy tissue by allowing radiation to be delivered to a specific area of the body. Brachytherapy allows your doctor to use a higher total dose of radiation over a shorter time than is possible with external beam therapy. Radiation is delivered at a low-dose rate over a period of weeks or months, or at a high-dose rate during a short period of time. The method used depends on the placement of the radioactive material.
- Adaptive Radiation Therapy
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Adaptive radiation therapy (known as ART) is the foundation of the department's new treatment process. This patient-specific strategy is much better than the 3D conformal radiation method of conventional practice. With ART, all patients receive higher-quality treatment. ART can significantly decrease the amount of normal tissue receiving radiation and improves the probability of hitting the target.
Instead of acquiring just one CT scan, we obtain a series of daily CT scans for each patient during the first phase of treatment. This gives us information about how organs may move during treatment.
Contact Us
For adaptive radiation therapy, contact GW Radiation Oncology
Main Phone: (202) 715-5097
Fax: (202) 715-5136 - Patient Navigators
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Patient navigators at the GW Radiation Oncology Center work with you and your medical team to help ensure that you receive comprehensive medical care and support during the entire diagnosis and treatment process. Our navigators provide you with a number of important services, including:
- Helping you talk with your physician
- Addressing any issues that might prevent you from keeping your medical appointments
- Assisting with approvals and referrals required to get the care you need
- Helping you schedule appointments for screenings, tests, follow up visits and other care recommended by your doctor
- Connecting you with community and supportive care services
- Providing information about the healthcare services your physician recommends
- Helping you manage financial and insurance issues
- Keeping track of medical records
- Discussing applicable clinical trials that may be available to you
- Arranging transportation to and from your appointments
- Online Virtual Visits
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We are pleased to announce The GW Medical Faculty Associates Radiation Oncology is now offering virtual online visits with our board-certified radiation oncologists. Our outpatient radiation oncologists are committed to the practice of evidence-based medicine and continually find new and better treatment options that improve patient outcomes in the treatment of cancer.
Locations
2150 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, DC Level, Washington, DC 20037