Academic Programs

Preclinical Instruction

Preclinical Instruction provides not only the fundaments of radiation therapy as they apply to the care of patients, but also the principles of cancer etiology and treatment. Fundaments and applied research are conducted in radiation therapy and clinical oncology as this s specialty relates to the diagnosis and treatment of cancer patients, and in the basic processes of radiation and cancer biology.

The course recommended for students is Radiation Oncology 202. Special opportunities may be made available to students interested in particular facets of cancer research.

Clinical Instruction

Clinical Instruction offers a basic clerkship in Radiation Oncology (RADO 300A). The Division of Radiation Therapy emphasizes all aspects of evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer in the clinical setting, including the relative merits of other modalities of treatment. Coordinator: Goffinet

Residency Programs

Radiation Therapy offers a three-year program that includes the study of malignant diseases. their diagnosis and treatment: use of specialized equipment such as linear accelerators, hyperthermia devices, and techniques such as interstitial brachytherapy, intraoperative radiotherapy, and stereotactic radiosurgery, study of all disciplines applicable to radiation therapy, and related research projects. There are 10 trainees at various levels of the program. Training also includes opportunities for experience in nuclear medicine, oncology, diagnostic radiology, and surgical pathology. Coordinator: Hoppe.
Radiation and Cancer Biology provides supervision for research in cancer and Radiation and Cancer Biology for students as well as research training for residents in the Division of Radiation Therapy. The faculty are available as sponsors for students in the Program in Biophysics or the Program in Cancer Biology. Opportunities for special research projects are also available to outside investigators at the postdoctoral level. Research is conducted in the area of molecular; cellular; and whole animal biology to understand various aspects of cancer etiology as well as the effects of radiation, hyperthermia, chemotherapeutic drugs on cells and tissues, and the possible modifications of these effects to enhance the treatment of human cancers. Coordinator: Brown.

Postdoctoral Training

Postdoctoral Training in the Division of Radiation and Cancer Biology offers research opportunities and supervision to residents who wish to do research in radiation biology, and to students in the Program in Cancer Biology or related curricula. Training in the clinical division is provided through residency programs, research grants, and fellowships. The department is dedicated to teaching the fundamentals of radiation therapy as they apply to the care of patients and to teaching the principles of Radiation and Cancer Biology and radiologic health practices. Normal and abnormal anatomy and physiology are covered using radiologic methods as well as the study of radiologic physics. Fundamental and applied research, both at the clinical level and in the laboratory, is conducted. The department makes extensive use of clinical and laboratory activities, with seminars, consultation, and intradepartmental exchange contributing to the various programs. Coordinator: Brown

Course Offerings

202A, B, C. The Basic Science of Radiation Therapy I, II, III
This course is intended for residents or fellows in the training program in the Division of Radiation Therapy, and also for interested students. The course focuses on the basic processes of Radiation and Cancer Biology that underlie the treatment of malignant diseases by radiation. Carcinogenesis and mutagenesis by radiation are also covered. A final exam will be given. Prerequisite(s): familiarity with cell biology and physiology. 1 unit, Aut, Win, Spr (Brown, staff) by arrangement
204. Clinical Experience with Cancer Patients
This course is designed for students with little clinical experience and emphasizes patient interactions with a variety of malignant diseases. Topics will include the principles of physical examination, radiologic and pathologic diagnosis, and the natural history of each type of cancer. Limited to four students. Prerequisite(s): consent of instructor. Sign-up list requested. 2 units, Spr (Goffinet, staff) T 3:15-5:05 pm
280. Early Clinical Experience in Radiation Oncology
This course provides an observational experience as determined by the instructor and student. Prerequisite(s): consent of instructor. See faculty list for section numbers. 1 to 2 units, any quarter, by arrangement
251, 252, 253. Special Topics in Cancer Biology.
Full-quarter courses or half-quarter minicourses given by different lectures on topics of major importance in cancer research. 251. 1-3 units, Aut (Staff) TTh 4:15-5:35 pm 252. 1-3 units, Win (Staff) TTh 4:15-5:35 pm 253. 1-3 units, Spr (Staff) TTh 4:15-5:35 pm
299. Directed Reading.
Prerequisite(s): consent of instructor. See faculty list for section numbers. 1 to 18 units, any quarter, by arrangement
399. Research
Allows for qualified students to undertake investigations sponsored by individual faculty members. Prerequisite(s) consent of instructor. See faculty list for section numbers. 1 to 18 units, any quarter, by arrangement

Clerkship Offerings

300A. Radiation Oncology Clerkship (SUMC)
This clerkship improves the student's ability to obtain case histories and perform comprehensive physical examinations on patients with malignancies. Radiologic and pathologic findings are integrated with the history and physical examination to make decisions concerning cancer management. The overall purpose of the program is to learn about the natural history of cancer rather than radiation therapy per se. Principles of treatment and the role of multimodality therapy are emphasized more than the details of treatment. The entire clerkship is at Stanford University Hospital; the responsibility for teaching is that of the full-time staff and not that of residents. Emphasis is on the student's evaluation of the patient, decisions concerning additional studies that may or may not be required, and general principles of cancer management. Students go to the operating room when interstitial implant cases are scheduled, and also attend conferences and multimodality tumor boards each week.

Prerequisites: Medicine 208
Periods Available: 1 12, full-time for four or eight weeks, 4 students per period Units: 6 or 12 Drop Code: N Call Code: 0
Instructions: Report to Dr. Goffinet, A085B, at 7:30 am on the first day of the clerkship.
Faculty: Staff.
Clerkship Coordinator: Nora Kundo (736-0291)
398A. Clinical Elective in Radiation Oncology (SUMC)
This clerkship provides an opportunity for a student in the clinical years to have a clinical experience in Radiation Therapy, of a quality and duration to be decided upon by the student and a faculty preceptor in the Department of Radiation Oncology. Prerequisites: Medicine 208, consent of the designated faculty preceptor or Dr. Don Goffinet, and approval by an Associate Dean for Student Affairs.

Periods Available: 1-12.
Units: 1 to 12 Drop Code: N Call Code: 2 (varies according to preceptor)
Instructions: Report to the designated faculty preceptor at 7:30 am on the first day of the elective.
Faculty: D. Goffinet, staff.
Clerkship Coordinator: Nora Kundo (736-0291)