UCSF Radiation Oncology
Educational Objective for Resident Rotations
William M. Wara, M.D./Daphne Haas-Kogan, M.D.
Pediatric, CNS and Soft Tissue Tumors
Junior Residents
Radiation Oncology residents spend 4 months of their 4 year residency in acquiring
knowledge and treatment modalities for a variety of Pediatric tumors and other tumors,
including CNS neoplasms and soft tissue sarcomas. Disease topics include childhood
leukemias and sequelae, soft tissue sarcomas (Ewing’s, chondrosarcoma,
neurofibromas), Wilm’s tumors, retinoblastomas, CNS tumors (brainstem gliomas,
astrocytomas, meningiomas, germinomas) and other benign and malignant lesions.
Rotation experiences include outpatient and inpatient consultations, care of patients
under daily radiation therapy and problem-oriented office visits. The Pediatric service
objectives are the same for each resident, but particular diseases will influence the
objectives achieved on each rotation. Junior residents acquire a basic knowledge of
childhood cancers and other tumors and learn the principles of diagnosis and treatment
for the specific diseases.
Patient Care
 Perform patient consultation evaluations and gather essential and accurate medical
information and present attending physician with data for optimal patient assessment
and recommendations for treatment.
 Learn and understand principles and administration of radiation therapy techniques
for simulation and treatment planning for external beam radiation therapy, total body
irradiation, three-dimensional radiotherapy, intensity modulated radiotherapy,
intraoperative radiotherapy and other state-of-the-art procedures.
 Manage the treatment course of patients undergoing external radiation and assist
with stereotactic radiosurgery, intraoperative and other special procedures.
 Coordinate routine and protocol-based patient treatment schedules.
 Anticipate the acute, and chronic complications resulting from radiation therapy.
 Evaluate post treatment patients.
Medical knowledge
•
Learn the basic science background of childhood cancers, CNS tumors and
sarcomas; i.e.
 Epidemiology/etiology
 CNS Anatomy
 Pathology Classification
 Biology/Genetics
 Natural History
 Radiographic Appearance
•
Develop the ability to use the scientific method and the deductive reasoning
process using: consultative work-up, radiologic tools, pathologic and staging information
and review of past and current medical literature appropriate to the disease.
•
Understand the relative roles of Surgery, Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy
in the treatment of Pediatric, CNS and sarcoma tumors and the basic concepts and
indications for Radiation Therapy.
Become acquainted with current Children’s Oncology Group and Pediatric Brain
Tumor Consortium clinical trials and other relevant multidisciplinary protocols.
Practice-based learning and improvement
 Using available technology and published materials, review and understand basic
medical literature to improve fund of knowledge and understand radiation therapy
techniques to ultimately provide better care to patients.
 Review clinical trial studies and results.
 Attend Pediatric Oncology and Neuro-Oncology and other multidisciplinary tumor
boards to review cases and learn the pros and cons of various treatment options.
 Attend morning conference and specialty lectures.
 Teach medical students.
Recommended Introductory Reading and References
•Halperin - Pediatric Radiation Oncology
•Pizzo - Pediatric Oncology
Interpersonal skills and professional communication
 Communicate effectively with referring pediatric oncologists, neuro-oncologists,
neurosurgeons, orthopaedic oncologists, and other healthcare givers.
 Communicate with patients and their families in easily understood and culturesensitive language.

Professionalism_____________________________________________
 Work effectively as a member of a professional group.
 Consistently demonstrate sensitivity to patients from different cultures.
 Maintain comprehensive, timely, and legible medical records.
Systems-based practice
 Demonstrate an awareness of and responsiveness to the larger context and system
of health care and the ability to effectively call on system resources to provide care
that is of optimal value. Residents are expected to:
 Assess patient social and medical needs for appropriate patient referral and care
in home communities outside of UCSF.
 Understand how their patient care and other professional practices affect other
health care professionals and referring institutions.
 Practice cost-effective health care and resource allocation that does not
compromise quality of care by making appropriate referrals for treatment outside
of UCSF.
 Know how to partner with health care providers to assess, coordinate, and
improve health care and know how these activities can affect system
performance/