Welcome to the Department of Radiation Oncology
Message from James M. Metz, MD — Chairman
Penn Radiation Oncology is dedicated to a three-part mission of excellence in patient care, basic and translational research, and the education of residents and students. We are committed to delivering excellence in every area and as such we steadfastly believe that "Excellence is Standard."
Penn Radiation Oncology is one of the most comprehensive radiation oncology programs in the world. The outstanding faculty and staff, combined with Penn’s extensive collection of advanced technology, gives patients access to nearly every treatment option available for their cancer. The broad range of radiation treatments available include Proton Therapy, intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), high-dose rate (HDR) and low-dose rate brachytherapy, partial breast irradiation, stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), and Gamma Knife radiation. With the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania, Penn Radiation Oncology provides patient care at the Ruth and Raymond Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine (PCAM), six major hospitals, and nine community-based sites.
Read more of the Message from the Chair »
Dr. Vapiwala named Eli Glatstein Professor »
News
-
Combo Therapy Boosts Survival in Bile Duct Cancer
Friday, July 11, 2025
Chemoradiation plus immunotherapy improved survival outcomes for patients with surgically removeable bile duct cancer. In an editorial accompanying the study, Edgar Ben-Josef, MD, a professor of Radiation Oncology, noted that while the post-surgery combination therapy was shown to be an active regimen, the study still left unanswered questions that will need to be addressed in a phase 3 clinical trial.
-
Radiation Bridging in CAR T: Where Are We Now?
Monday, July 7, 2025
While the use of radiation bridging therapy in CAR T cell therapy for blood cancer is expanding, plenty of unanswered questions remain on topics such as ideal timing and doses. The lack of guidelines has immediate clinical implications, said John P. Plastaras, MD, PhD, a professor of Radiation Oncology, in a presentation at the 18th International Conference on Malignant Lymphoma (ICML) 2025.
-
Radiation Oncology Chair Speaks at Juniata College Commencement
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
James Metz, MD, chair of Radiation Oncology, served as the 2025 commencement speaker for his alma mater, Juniata College in Huntingdon, PA, where his experiences—both in the classroom and on the football field—helped prepare him for a career on the forefront of cancer treatment.