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.
News
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Penn Medicine opens FLASH proton radiation clinical trial in Philly
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center is launching a first-of-its-kind clinical trial to test a faster, more powerful form of radiation therapy for cancer treatment. “We are now able to deliver radiation at very high velocity,” said principal investigator Alexander Lin, MD, the Morton M. Kligerman Professor of Radiation Oncology. “That’s why we call it FLASH.” FLASH proton therapy is designed to deliver cancer-killing radiation therapy in less than a second, through fewer total sessions, with potentially less risk of damaging side effects.
Penn Medicine News Release • WHYY
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Exploring the future of radiopharmaceutical therapy in oncology
Thursday, August 27, 2026
Neil K. Taunk, MD, an associate professor of Radiation Oncology, discussed the rapidly expanding radiopharmaceutical paradigm and how to integrate such technology into real-world oncology practice.
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Shaping the future of cancer care
Monday, August 24, 2026
Neha Vapiwala, MD, the Eli Glatstein Professor in Radiation Oncology and president of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), interviewed Karen Knudsen, CEO of the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, for the RadOnc Report podcast. They preview the 2026 ASTRO Annual Meeting Presidential Symposium’s theme, “Data to Dialogue,” diving into research collaboration, combining radiation therapy and immunotherapy, and communicating cancer science to patients, families and the public.