Introduction
Equipment
Faculty and staff
Student rotation


Introduction
The Radiation Oncology center at Tulane University Medical Center uses the latest technological advances in the treatment of cancer patients with radiotherapy. The staff radiation oncologists, each with varied fields of expertise and areas of research interest, have years of experience treating cancer patients. Technological and physics support is provided by a Ph.D.-level radiation physicists with many years of experience in the field.

Advanced technology increases precision and effectiveness of radiation therapy
Varian 2300c/d dual-energy linear accelerator with multi-leaf collimator.
Equipment
The center's equipment includes a Varian 2300 C/D linear accelerator, a Varian Ximatron-CX simulator, a nucletron HDR afterloading system, and a Wellhofer water phontom / film dosimetry system. Treatment planning is performed using a computerized 3-Dimensional Treatment Planning System. The entire department is connected via the IMPAC Information record and verification system. A wide range of specialized treatments can be performed including Total Body Irradiation, and brachytherapy procedures (radioactive implants) utilizing both low-dose rate and high-dose rate sources. The Radiation Oncology program's treatment center is housed in a state-of-the-art facility at the Tulane Cancer Center Comprehensive Clinic.

See also: Varian Patient Education on Radiation Therapy
http://hcacancerguide.com/cpm/radiation/index.html
An on-line multi-media presentation to acquaint patients with what to expect when undergoing radiation therapy. The webpage requires the Flash multi-media player.

See also: Tulane Department of Radiology

Faculty and Staff


Mini Elnaggar , M.D.
Radiation Oncologist
Assistant Professor of Radiology
(504) 988-4779, (504) 988-6539 fax
1415 Tulane Ave., Box HC-62, New Orleans, LA 70112-2699
melnagga@tulane.edu

Ellen Zakris , M.D.
Radiation Oncologist
Clinical Assistant Professor of Radiology
(504) 988-6504, (504) 988-6539 fax
1415 Tulane Ave., Box HC-62, New Orleans, LA 70112-2699
ezakris@tulane.edu

Robert Sanford, Ph.D.
Radiation Physicist
Assistant Professor of Radiology
(504) 988-6308, (504) 988-6539 fax
1415 Tulane Ave., Box HC-62, New Orleans, LA 70112-2699
rsanford@tulane.edu



Medical Student Elective Rotation in Radiation Oncology
The Medical Student Elective in Radiation Oncology will consist of four core weeks. Students will rotate with 2-3 physicians. The major objectives of this rotation are to acquaint the student to the basic concepts of the practice of radiotherapy. While many students may elect to pursue further study in this specialty, it is expected that the primary emphasis of the rotation will focus on issues that will be useful to any physician who may provide services to cancer patients. The required conferences and clinical experiences will provide an introduction to:

• The basic principles of radiation physics, radiobiology, and radiation safety.
• The clinical evaluation and staging of the patient with cancer
• The role of radiotherapy in the management of patients with cancer.
• The importance of a multidisciplinary approach to cancer management
• The process by which treatment plans are generated from an understanding of tumor volume, normal tissue considerations and natural history of the disease
• The implementation and verification of radiotherapy treatment plans.

• New patient consults/follow-up consults with dictation
• Under treatment clinics
• Follow at least one new patient each week through simulation, administration of informed consent and patient teaching, treatment planning (with the dosimetrist), and treatment start
• Attend multidisciplinary conferences throughout the rotation.
• At least one or two patients will be presented to the tumor board during the rotation. it would include a presentation on a relevant radiation oncology topic including a paper presentation.
• Obtain or borrow a radiation oncology textbook.

• Patient Care:
  Our program is committed to training the most competent clinical physicians. Patient care is taught through one-on-one direct teaching interaction with attendings and residents that occur during the care of oncology patients. In addition, specialized training in physical exams (for example: head and neck exams, gynecological exams) are provided by the attending staff during the clinical rotations. Medical students are required to know the work-up and staging, how to develop and execute an appropriate radiotherapy plan to treat each cancer type, how to manage acute and late complications, and how to follow the patient after completion of treatment. These skills are taught individually in one-on-one direct clinical interaction with attendings. Assessment of competency in patient care is evaluated by the attending physicians.
• Medical Knowledge: Medical students are required to gain an understanding of clinical radiation oncology, radiation physics, and radiation biology. Medical knowledge is taught through case studies of patients and by reading pertinent sections of radiation oncology textbook and literature. the medical knowledge competency is assessed by a faculty evaluation of fund of knowledge during clinical case studies, including oral examinations of case studies.
• Practice-based learning and improvement:
  Our department is committed to train students in the practice of evidence-based medicine and medical students will participate in this exercise. During their clinical rotation, medical students are required to make one oral presentation to a tumor board. This will include a case presentation, paper presentation and brief review of the relevant literature.
• Interpersonal and Communication Skills:
  Medical students are required to develop effective communication skills in patient care management, communication with other physicians, and scientific publication. Communication skills are taught through direct feedback on presentations. As previously mentioned, medical students are required to give one oral presentation during their rotation.
• Professionalism:
  Our elective is committed to furthering the professional and ethical practice skills of medical students. Successful radiation therapy, perhaps more than in any other patient care specialty, results form the collective efforts of many medical personnel. The radiation oncologist, radiation therapist, dosimetrist, medical physicist, oncology nurse, dietitian, social worker and clerical personnel, all make essential contributions to the outcome. It is expected that the student will recognize the roles that each one of these medical professionals play, and treat them as the indispensable individuals that they are.

• Gathering data by history and physical examination
• Skills in oral and written presentations
• Assessing data and arriving at a diagnosis—problem solving.
• Evidence of preparation and outside reading
• Work habits and personal qualities.
• Interpersonal relationships with other members of the health care team.
• Knowledge and fund of information

This page is http://www.som.tulane.edu/cancer/radonc.html
This page was last updated on Thursday, August 18, 2005

Return to the top of this page.
Return to the Tulane Cancer Center homepage.

Calendars Clinical Trials Faculty Links Location News
Search Site index

Department of Radiology