| The Department of Radiation Oncology became its own department (and the 25th department at the Feinberg School) in April 2006, after being a division of the Department of Radiology. Bharat B. Mittal, MD, GME '80 leads the department that includes physicians, physicists, researchers, and staff members.  The Department of Radiation Oncology at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine has experienced faculty and staff, facilities at the vanguard of technology, and many proven techniques to effectively treat cancer. As part of the Feinberg School, our team's focus is academic medicine and its emphasis on research into the treatment of cancer. At Northwestern Memorial Hospital, we extend these research discoveries into patient care. Our departments' faculty includes national leaders in our specialty and capable, personable technicians -- all with sophisticated expertise. Our facilities are technologically state-of-the art and equipped to provide the full range of treatments inluding the newest methods.
The Department of Radiation Oncology's three-part mission is to educate future clinicians and leaders in our field; to advance knowledge of the causes of cancer and cancer treatment through academic research; and to offer patients premier clinical care and treatment based on current knowledge. From every perspective, we are dedicated to improving the health and relieving the suffering of cancer patients. This Web site offers information about our faculty, education, research, and clinical services. We hope you will find this information helpful and welcome you to contact us if you would liketo know more. Sincerely, Bharat B. Mittal, MD, Professor and Chair
Department of Radiation Oncology 1940s, 1950s, 1960s - Drs. Abe Cannon and Earle Roth first used orthovoltage X-rays and then later a 1 MV beam from a resonant transformer machine to treat patients.
- Dr. William T. Moss was hired in 1959. A cobalt-60 machine was purchased in 1960.
1970s and 1980s - Dr. William Norman Brand led the division and acquired 4 MV and 10 MV linear accelerators.
- A conventional radiation therapy simulator was added to enable a more efficient treatment planning process.
- A hyperthermia machine was installed.
1990s and 2000s - Dr. Bharat B. Mittal began to lead the division and purchased a linear accelerator (linac) with a multileaf collimator (MLC). The collimator allows for field shaping without use of custom-made beam-blocking devices.
- Leksell Gamma Knife, used for brain radiosurgery, was purchased jointly with the Department of Neurological Surgery for shared use.
- Two new MLC-equipped linacs, a new conventional simulator, a CT-based simulator and high-dose rate brachytherapy machine were added. The treatment modalities of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) were offered.
| |
