MEL 7740: Radiation Oncology

Drs. Dilling, Rao, Trotti, Caudell, Hoffe, Heysek, Chinnaiyan, Torres-Roca, Biagioli, Shridhar, Wilder, Fernandez and Correa.

The Department of Radiation Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, provides comprehensive, patient-oriented care for all types and stages of cancer using the most technically advanced equipment with concern for quality of life and education. 

This elective is an introduction to basic Radiation Oncology with emphasis on clinical service designed to provide a background for students planning to practice in related oncology fields or in Radiation Oncology. Students will be assigned to one or two preceptors and will learn about the various Radiation Oncology applications to a wide range of disease sites. The clinic rotations will be designed at a level of learning for medical students. During the rotation students will be supervised and instructed on a one-to-one basis by their preceptor(s), residents, fellows and other qualified faculty responsible for teaching and evaluation. 

Medical Students will participate in all aspects of Radiation Oncology including clinical treatment planning, treatment delivery, medical physics, dosimetry, simulation, and port film evaluation. Students will understand the natural history of cancers, the role of radiation therapy in the treatment of cancer, general principles of oncology, basic radiation safety, multidisciplinary patient care, specialized treatment procedures, clinic structure and supportive care. Students will learn how to conduct a thorough history and physical examination and how to examine patients to assess tumor response and progression. To enhance the clinical experience and further knowledge, students will be required to do some reading of textbooks and the medical literature as assigned by their preceptor(s). In addition, students will attend regularly scheduled tumor board conferences and didactic programs as assigned by their preceptor(s).

Rotation requirements

1. Read at least 10 pertinent articles from the medical literature.
2. Attend all departmental conferences and multidisciplinary conferences with the preceptors.
3. Participate in simulations, procedures, follow-ups, on treatment visits and treatment planning.
4. Present a 15 minute PowerPoint talk on a topic defined with the assistance of the faculty preceptor.

At the completion of the elective, training faculty and students will complete performance evaluations.