Clinical Rotation in Small Animal Radiation Oncology

Faculty

Vet Techs

Residents

MedicalPhysicist

Radiotherapy Delivery System:Tomotherapy

• Manage radiotherapy patients– Diagnosis through treatment

• Tumor imaging (CT)• Computerized treatment planning

• Anesthesia

• Oversee radiation treatments• Patient follow up• Work with pet owners

What we do

• Multidisciplinary cancer care: medical and radiation oncology services work together!

• RT team: 1 faculty, 2-3 residents, medical physicist, radiation techs, anesthetists, receptionist

About the service

1. We see new appointments and rechecks2. We manage radiation in- and out-patients

– Treatment schedules are 1 day to 4 weeks long

3. We make customized computer radiation treatment plans for each patient

• Daily patient rounds with medical oncology• Daily didactic student rounds• Cytology rounds on Friday• +/- Carbone Cancer Center grand rounds

Rounds

• Radiation patient management– Daily physical exams and patient care– Daily client communication

• New and recheck appointments– Coordinate work ups/diagnostic tests

including CTs

• Routine procedures– Venipuncture, FNA, biopsy, etc.

• Computerized radiation treatment planning– Contouring structures on CT images

What do you do?

• Radiation Oncology• Oncology• Client Communication• +/- Anesthesia

What you get:A multi-disciplinary experience

Learn in rounds and by doing!

• Enthusiasm

• No clinical oncology experience required

What we want from you:

1-3 students per rotationOne week rotations okay

Optional Background Reading

Berman AT, Plastaras JP, Vapiwala. Radiation Oncology: a Primer for Medical Students. J Canc Educ 2013 28:547-553

Gordon IK, Kent MS. Veterinary radiation oncology: technology, imaging, intervention and future applications. Cancer Therapy 2008 6:167-176

McEntee MC. Veterinary radiation therapy: review and current state of the art. J Am Hosp Assoc 2006 42(2):94-109

Lawrence JA, Forrest LJ. Intensity-modulated radiation therapy and helical tomotherapy: its origin, benefits and potential applications in veterinary medicine. Vet Clin North Am Small AnimPract 2007 37(6):1151-65