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Radiation Therapy (Oncology)


We are part of the Regional Cancer Centre located in the Lomas building at Waikato Hospital, Hamilton, New Zealand. We are a multidisciplinary team comprising of radiation oncologists, medical physicists, radiation therapists, oncology nurses, clinical trials and associated support staff.
    Lomas Building, Regional Cancer Center, Waikato Hospital
    The department services a wide geographical area through the use of peripheral clinics covering, the greater Waikato District, Bay of Plenty and Lakeland with a population of approximately 800,000. In 2007 Radiation Oncology saw 1400 new cancer patients, 1600 patients received a course of radiation therapy (new or retreat) and we delivered 24,000 radiation treatment fractions.


    In addition to providing radiation therapy services to this population we have a comprehensive HDR Brachytherapy programme, advanced techniques incorporating Intensivity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) and a strong involvement in clinical trials and research. Our inpatient services are provided through Ward 25 at Waikato Hospital which has a capacity of 30 beds, including a bone marrow transplant suite.

    We offer comprehensive multi-disciplinary cancer care in the following disease sites:
    • breast
    • lymphoma
    • gastrointestinal
    • endocrine
    • genitourinary
    • head and neck
    • lung
    • central nervous system
    • gynaecological
    • skin.


    Employment opportunities

    Medical Radiation Technologist Board

    University of Otago: Radiation Therapy

    New Zealand Cancer Society

    Ministry of Health: Cancer Control Treatment Waiting Times Data

    Midland Cancer Network

    T.R.O.G Clinical Trials

    The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists

    The Australasian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers in Medicine

    New Zealand Nursing Organization


    Contact details   

    Radiation Oncology Reception
    Level 01 Lomas Building
    Telephone: (07) 839 8604
    Facsimile (07) 839 8878

    Hours: 8am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday    		 Radiation Therapy Booking Clerk
    Level 1 Lomas Building
    Telephone: (07) 839 8806
    Facsimile: (07) 839 8628

    Hours: 8am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday

    Radiation Therapy contacts


    Consultant radiation oncologists

    Should you wish to discuss a specific patient related question please contact the Radiation Oncology reception who can contact the doctor concerned.
    • Dr Leanne Tyrie, Clinical Director
    • Dr Ruth Angell
    • Dr Charles de Groot
    • Dr Cristian Hartopeanu
    • Dr Glenys Round
    • Dr Ziad Thotahil
    • Dr Michael Tills
    • Dr Hermann Van der Vyver

    Who we are

    Radiation Therapy staffWe have multidisciplinary specialists in the following areas:

    Radiation Oncology

    • Eight radiation oncology consultants
    • Four radiation oncology registrars

    Medical Physics

    • Six medical physicists
    • Two medical physics registrars

    Radiation Therapy

    • 33 radiation therapists
    • radiation therapy students

    Oncology Nurses

    • Seven outpatient nurses
    • clinical nurse specialists for colorectal, gynaecological, breast and lung cancers and adolescents.
    • 31 FTE inpatient nurses

    Clinical Trials

    • Six clinical trials nurses


    Our equipment


    CT Scanner
    • One Varian Linear Accelerators with MLC, EPI and CBCT

    • Three Varian Linear Accelerators with MLC and EPI

    • Eclipse Treatment Planning System

    • Varian Acuity Simulator

    • Dedicated Toshiba Aquilion Wide Bore CT scanner

    • GammaMed HDR Brachytherapy Unit

    • Helios IMRT Planning System

    • RadCalc Computerised dose check

    • Aquaplast thermoplastic immobilisation devices

    • Superficial X-ray Unit

      Our specialised radiation therapy services

      • HDR Brachytherapy


        • Single Iridium 192 source with up to 24 channels can be selected
        • Intracavity, interstitial, or intraluminal capabilities
        • Dedicated theatre located within oncology building
        • Treatment sites include: gynaecological, prostate, head and neck, lung, oesophagus and skin
        • Accepts referrals from other DHBs for sites requiring this specialist treatment

      • Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy


        • Allows the delivery of higher radiation doses with minimum dose to normal tissue by matching radiation to the size and shape of the patients tumour

      • Image Guided Radiation Therapy

        • is the process of frequent two and three-dimensional imaging, during a course of radiation treatment, used to direct radiation therapy utilizing the imaging coordinates of the actual radiation treatment plan
        • The goal of the IGRT process is to improve the accuracy of the radiation field placement, and to reduce the exposure of healthy tissue during radiation treatments

      • Real-time Position Management™ (RPM) Respiratory Gating


        • The RPM system allows correlation of the tumour position in relation to the patient's respiratory cycle.
        • The system is a non-invasive, video-based system that allows for clean imaging and treatment of lung, breast, and upper abdominal sites.

      • Cone Beam Computerized Tomography


        • Allows a CT to be taken on the linear accelerator using the kV On Board Imager (OBI)
        • The treatment CT is compared to the planning CT, internal organ position is matched and the treatment position is adjusted accordingly prior to treatment being given.

      • Radio-isotope Laboratory


        • A variety of procedures are performed in the Hot Lab, with radioactive iodine administration occurring most frequently.

      • Total Body Irradiation

      • Total Body Electrons


      • Lymphoedema nursing services


      • Clinical trials
      Page last updated on 14/05/2010