Clinical Laboratories

The Clinical Division of the Department of Radiation Oncology of the University of Michigan was established in 1984. Our primary focus is to deliver outstanding clinical care while performing cutting-edge clinical research that translates into improved patient outcomes.

Our faculty include national and international leaders in oncology. Our work is recognized by many invited lectures, presentations at national meetings, and by substantial support from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and other funding agencies. Members of our Division lead a wide variety of radiation oncology-related treatment and imaging research studies. Many of these studies are open only to patients treated at the University of Michigan. The focus of these studies includes:
using new technologies to safely deliver higher, more curative, doses of radiation;
developing new methods of imaging tumors that show us not just where the tumor is, but which parts may be more aggressive and need stronger treatment and;
using new drugs that make tumors sensitive to radiation.
We also participate in studies coordinated by several national cooperative groups including the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG), the Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG) and the Children’s Oncology Group (COG).

All of our faculty are part of the NCI-designated University of Michigan’s Rogel Cancer Center. A great strength of our program is the close integration of both patient care and research with other Cancer Center members.

At the University of Michigan Hospital we have state-of-the-art technology. We have developed our own computer software for intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), have been treating patients with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for over 15 years and have an established stereotactic body radiation program (SBRT) for treatment of lung, liver and spine lesions. Our ability to perform image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) is made possible by on-board kilovoltage and cone beam CT imaging and the Calypso electromagnetic tracking system. We also have the capability to treat patients with both low dose rate and high dose rate brachytherapy. Although having state-of-the-art technology is important, it is more important to have physicians and physicists who know how to use it. Our safety record for the administration of radiation is unsurpassed and our faculty include nationally recognized experts in the safe delivery of radiation therapy. Our Division is also responsible for the education and training of 12 radiation oncology residents, two fellows and numerous University of Michigan medical students. Graduates of our program have become faculty at other top programs in the country, such as Harvard, Yale, and MD Anderson.