UCLA Journal of Radiation Oncology APRIL 2023 - Flipbook - Page 27
UCLA RADIATION ONCOLOGY JOURNAL
UCLA Radiation Oncology is now
offering radiation oncology services in
downtown Los Angeles. The downtown
radiation oncology clinic provides
patients who work and live in the area
greater proximity and convenience,
with the same caliber of care provided
in Westwood. Dr. Bernard Lewinsky,
a UCLA Health radiation oncologist in
DTLA discusses the center's capabilities
and benefits for patients.
What therapies does the downtown radiation
oncology clinic offer?
“We treat all types of solid tumors for patients
ages 18 and older,” Dr. Lewinsky says. “We use
external beam radiation therapy, which precisely
delivers radiation to the tumor while sparing and
protecting the normal tissues surrounding it.” Dr.
Lewinsky notes the clinic provides several types
of external-beam radiation therapy. 3D conformal
radiation therapy delivers radiation beams from
many directions using images from CT, MRI and
PET to confine the beams to the shape of the
tumor. Similarly, intensity-modulated mediation
therapy (IMRT) uses radiation beams from
several directions where individual beams can
deliver higher doses to certain parts of the tumor.
Image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT), a type of
IMRT, uses imaging while the radiation is being
administered to ensure precise delivery. “The
ability of this technology to protect normal tissues
has greatly improved over the years, resulting
in diminished side effects,” Dr. Lewinsky says.
He notes the clinic offers additional methods for
delivering radiation. Brachytherapy, or implanted
radiation, involves placing radioactive material
into or near tumors to deliver specific doses to
specific areas. Ingestion or injection can deliver
liquid radioactive materials in high doses to
internal organs.
How are local radiation oncology services
integrated into the greater UCLA Health system?
“We work with medical oncologists in our
downtown location to coordinate and combine
treatments,” Dr. Lewinsky says. He adds that he
and his colleague at the downtown radiation
oncology clinic have access to the full range of
UCLA Health resources. They can consult with
specialists at the main campus, refer patients
for additional specialty services and present
their patients to UCLA Tumor Boards. These
multidisciplinary groups may include surgical
oncologists, medical oncologists, radiologists,
pathologists and a genetic counselor, who review
patient cases and form personalized, evidencebased treatment plans. The UCLA Health
electronic medical record enables physicians to
easily share information and communicate with
other physicians.
What other cancer services are located
downtown?
UCLA Health downtown cancer care services
also include medical oncology and hematology.
Medical oncologists treat solid cancers in adults
using chemotherapy, hormonal, biological and
targeted therapies. Hematologists treat both
benign and malignant blood diseases, including
lymphoma and leukemia. This office also has
access to a social worker from the Simms/
Mann-UCLA Center for Integrative Oncology
who provides psychological and integrative
health services. In addition to cancer care,
UCLA’s downtown offices feature primary and
specialty care services, which include cardiology,
gastroenterology, pulmonology, sleep medicine
and sports medicine. ☐
For more information about UCLA Health Radiation Oncology
in Downtown Los Angeles go to: uclahealth.org/locations/
downtown-los- angeles-radiation-oncology
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