Radiation Therapy - Oncology
Radiation Therapy is a branch of
medicine that deals with the management of cancers and some
non-cancerous tumours by radiation. Some commonly treated areas are
breast, prostate, lung, rectum, head and neck, gynaecological
malignancies, brain, lymphomas, bone and skin.
The type of
radiation that will be used for treatment depends on several factors
including the type and sensitivity of the cancer, as well as the size,
shape and position of the cancer. The strength and penetration of the
radiation beam can be varied to provide the best treatment plan for
individuals.
Radiation is often given in addition to other forms
of cancer treatment such as chemotherapy, surgery and hormonal therapy.
Unlike chemotherapy, which exposes the entire body to cancer-fighting
drugs, radiation therapy is usually a local treatment. It affects only
the part of the body being treated.
Radiation Therapy procedures include:
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| How to find and contact us 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 ClerkLevel 1 Lomas Building
Telephone: (07) 839 8806
Facsimile: (07) 839 8628
Hours: 9am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday
After Hours Care
In the event of an emergency after clinic hours please proceed to your nearest After Hours Medical Facility where our on call doctor can be contacted if required.
| Finding usYour radiation treatment will be given at the Waikato Regional Cancer
Centre at Waikato Hospital.
The Oncology Department is located in the
Lomas Building.
- Level 1 is for simulation and planning.
- Level 01 is for doctors appointments and treatment.
Maps and parking information for Waikato Hospital |
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About us
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.
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 770,000. In 2007
Radiation Oncology saw 1400 new cancer patients, 1600 patients received
a course of radiation therapy (new or re-treatment) and we delivered
24,000 radiation treatment fractions.
In addition to providing radiation therapy services to this population we have a comprehensive High Dose Rate (HDR) Brachytherapy programme, advanced techniques incorporating Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT), RapidArc 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.
Our people
We have multidisciplinary specialists in the following areas:
Radiation Oncology | - Eight radiation oncology consultants
- Four radiation oncology registrars
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Medical Physics | - Seven medical physicists
- Two medical physics registrars
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Radiation Therapy | - 36 radiation therapists
- Radiation Therapy students
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Oncology Nurses | - Seven outpatient nurses
- 31 FTE inpatient nurses
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Clinical Trials | - Six clinical trials nurses
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