Radiation Oncology

The specialist in Radiation Oncology must possess clinical competence in oncology and technical proficiency in the therapeutic use of ionizing radiation.

The residency program in Radiation Oncology is based at the McGill University Health Center, with rotations to the Jewish General Hospital and to the Centre Hospitalier de Gatineau.  The program is designed to ensure that by completion of training, the resident will be capable of independent care of ambulatory and hospitalized patients with malignant disease, including and most especially the planning and supervisions of treatment with radiotherapy.  The program provides rigorous clinical experience in the management of all types of cancers and offers several challenging series of lectures and tutorials in relevant clinical and basic sciences.  Scholarship of all kinds is encouraged.

Program Requirements

Consistent with the guidelines of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and the Collège des Médecins du Québec, this is a five-year program that includes:

• Twelve (12) months of approved basic clinical training in medical and surgical disciplines that may include in one or more of the following: Surgery, Gynecology, Pediatrics, Hematology, Medical Oncology and Radiology
• Six (6) months of residency training in Internal Medicine, which may include up to 3 months of hematology/oncology
• Thirty six (36) months of training in Radiation Oncology
• Six (6) months of pre-training in clinical or basic sciences or research relevant to the objectives of the specialty

Program Content

Clinical Training:
Emphasis is placed on the consultation process and decision making for patients with malignant disease.  Many of the activities take place in multi-disciplinary settings in out-patient clinics and a tumor boards.  Throughout the program, the resident is required to follow closely the course of hospitalized patients and to participate in their care.  Acquisition of skills specific to treatment with radiotherapy is progressive over the five years of the program.  In addition, arrangements are made for concurrent clinical experience in the various oncologic sub-specialties such as gynecologic oncology, pediatric oncology, head and neck surgical oncology, and neuro-oncology.

Academic Aspects:
Lectures and our tutorials are offered throughout the period of training.  They include:

• Lectures in physics (PGY 2 and PGY 3)
• Lectures in radiation biology (PGY 2)
• Lectures in the basic sciences of oncology (PGY 2-5)
• Lectures in clinical oncology (PGY 2-5)
• Lectures in radiotherapy treatment planning (PGY 2-5)
• Radiation Oncology Rounds
• Radiation Oncology Journal Club
• Multidisciplinary Oncology Education Activities

In addition, the first year residents will attend one of the Spring courses offered by the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics.  The resident is strongly encouraged to undertake clinical of basic science research supervised by one of the clinical of basic science faculty.

Canadian PGY 1 applicants accepted through CARMS. 

Admission is based on the student record, autobiographical letter and curriculum vitae, as well as letters of assessment, and interviews with the Selection Committee.

Prerequisites for non-Canadian applicants are given elsewhere.

For further information, please contact:

Dr Khalil Sultanem, Program Director
Jewish General Hospital

Division of Radiation Oncology
3755 Cote Ste-Catherine Road,
Montreal, Quebec  H3T 1E2
Tel.: (514) 340-8288

Fax:  (514) 340-7548

E-mail:  ksultanem@roc.jgh.mcgill.ca