Radiation Oncology at The Cancer Institute at Alexian Brothers Hospital Network

About Radiation Oncology

Radiation oncology consists of a team of dedicated professionals: radiation oncologists, radiation therapists, medical physicists, dosimetrists, and oncology certified nurses. Our team of radiation oncologists has the training, experience and expertise to provide the most effective treatment for patients diagnosed with cancer. They are medical doctors who have completed a 4 – 5 year residency program in radiation oncology and are board certified by the American Board of Radiology.

More than fifty percent of all cancer patients utilize radiation therapy. Some patients with cancer may be treated with radiation alone. Other times, radiation therapy is combined with surgery and/or chemotherapy. Our radiation oncologists work with the primary care physician, surgeon, medical oncologist and other specialists to ensure coordinated care.

Radiation therapy uses high energy X-ray and other sources of radiation to destroy cancer cells or damage them so they cannot multiply. Radiation therapy can cure or prevent the return of many types of cancer. It is also a very effective treatment to reduce pain and relieve other symptoms caused by cancer.

Radiation therapy is a local treatment for local problems. External beam radiation directs radiation to the tumor from a machine called a linear accelerator. Internal radiation therapy, or Brachytherapy, is performed by placing a radioactive source inside the body or near the tumor.

Before external beam radiation treatments begin, each patient undergoes diagnostic testing to show the tumor’s size, configuration and location. This is done using multi-level CT scans and/or standard X-rays from a treatment simulator. The radiation treatment planning team uses this information to devise the best treatment plan for each patient. A 3 dimensional treatment planning computer system may be used to target the tumor as precisely as possible, and also interfaces with the multi-leaf collimation feature of the linear accelerator to automatically set up blocks that minimize damage to healthy tissue.

If you and your physician decide that radiation therapy treatments would be a benefit for you, you will be scheduled for daily treatments Monday through Friday. Depending upon the prescribed desired dosage, you may have up to seven weeks of treatments. Your appointment time will be at the same time each day. The Radiation Therapists under the supervision of your Radiation Oncologist will deliver your treatments. At least once a week you will meet with your Nurse and Radiation Oncologist who will evaluate your progress, discuss any radiation side effects, and answer any questions you may have.

Hours of operation:

The regular hours are Monday through Friday from 7:30 to 4:00 p.m. If radiation therapy is needed in the evening, on weekends or holidays, a radiation oncologist and a therapist are on call. Patients who need to start treatment immediately are treated that day.

Our Staff

The department is staffed according to the workload and productivity standards. Staffing is Monday through Friday as follows:

• Administrative staff provides management and operational support to both
• Alexian Brothers and St. Alexius Medical Centers
• Administrative Director
• Manager
• Director of Medical Physics whom also covers Gamma Knife
• Office Coordinators - one at each of the medical centers
• Receptionists/Billing/Orders Supplies/Medical Records
• Oncology Certified RN’s - 2 at ABMC and one at St. Alexius
• Full time Radiation therapists - 5 at ABMC and one at St. Alexius
• Part time Radiation Therapists who work at St. Alexius
• Medical Dosimetrists – one at each medical center
• Medical Physicists cover ABMC, St. Alexius and Gamma Knife

Qualifications of staff:

Radiation therapists are certified and registered by the American Registry of Radiological Technologists or eligible to take the registry exam. All therapists are required to have a current license from Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA).

Dosimetrists are required to be credential by the Medical Dosimetry Certification Board or working to become eligible for certification. Dosimetrists are required to be certified and registered radiation therapist by the American Registry of Radiological Technologist. Dosimetrists are required to be licensed by IEMA.

The nurses are required to be certified by Oncology Nursing Society and maintain a current license to practice in the State of Illinois.

The Director of Medical Physics and one of the Medical Physicists have a PhD and have been certified by American Board of Radiology in Therapeutic Radiology. The other two Medical Physicists are eligible to become certified. All four have met the requirements to practice in the State of Illinois as a Therapeutic and/or Diagnostic Radiological Physicist.

Procedures are performed under the supervision of a radiation oncologist by the registered or credential staff as listed in VIII above. The Medical Directors of Radiation Oncology set standard protocols.

Methods that are used to assess and meet patients’ care needs:

The Medical Directors of Radiation Oncology Services, Vice President of Alexian Brothers Hospital Network - The Cancer Institute at Alexian Brothers Hospital Network and Administrative Director Radiation Oncology Services approve all policies and procedures. Satisfaction Surveys are sent to all patients at the end of their course of treatment. The results are shared with the department staff and action plans are developed as necessary.

A letter is given to every new patient in "Your Guide To Treatment And Care" stating that the Administrative Director of the Radiation Oncology Departments is available by phone or in person.

A radiation oncologist provides management of the patient treatment and meets with the patients at least once a week to discuss their treatment. Additional time with the radiation oncologist is provided if the patient requests. A radiation therapist talks to every patient every day in regards to their treatment during the treatment set up time. Nurses are available to meet with the patient at least once a week throughout their course of treatment or as often as requested by patient or family. A chaplain, social worker, dietitian and massage therapists are available for the patients.