Conditions We Treat

three radiation oncology team members look at computer screens

The Radiation Oncology team at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center treats a variety of tumors and cancer types, as well as certain other benign conditions, in virtually any area of the body.

We collaborate with multiple specialties in the treatment of several benign conditions. We offer external beam radiation and brachytherapy in the management of keloids and we treat Dupuytren's contracture (palmar fibromatosis) and plantar fibromatosis with external beam radiation. Our GammaKnife service treats many trigeminal neuralgia patients each year.

Our Comprehensive Breast Care Program provides a patient-centered treatment experience which incorporates the latest technology to optimize breast cancer outcomes while lowering the potential risks of treatment. We utilize a specialized technique known as Deep Inspiration Breath Hold to minimize radiation exposure to the heart during breast radiotherapy. In this procedure, patients simply take in a deep breath, filling the lungs with air and displacing the heart away from the breast. This technique is routinely used for patients with left-sided breast cancers as the heart is predominantly positioned in the left side of the chest.

In collaboration with our Ophthalmology Department, we offer eye plaque brachytherapy for the treatment of choroid melanomas. We also collaborate in the treatment of orbital lymphomas and metastases.

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in South Carolina, claiming residents at a higher rate than in the nation as a whole. Our state also ranks among the nation’s highest for pancreatic cancer. To combat these prevalent diseases, our Gastrointestinal Cancer Program diagnoses and treats cancers of the esophagus, stomach, pancreas, liver, biliary tree, colon and rectum. Advanced radiation oncology treatments include Radixact Helical Therapy, a highly accurate radiation therapy that allows the radiation oncologist to image and treat a patient in the same setting, minimizing toxicity.

With South Carolina ranked ninth in the nation in cervical cancer deaths, the advanced diagnostics and treatments available at Hollings are a source of hope to thousands of women. Our Gynecologic Cancer Program encompasses all aspects of diagnosis, surgery, treatment and management of cervical, endometrial, ovarian, uterine and vulvar cancer. Our specialized radiation oncology services offer Radixact Helical Therapy that allows treatment of extended pelvic fields. We also offer MR guided interstitial brachytherapy for advanced cervical cancer, inoperable uterine cancer, and vaginal recurrences of uterine and cervical cancer.

Collaboration through multidisciplinary care is the hallmark of our Head & Neck Tumor Center, with a wide range of specialists available to consult on the best course of treatment and rehabilitative options. We treat most head and neck cancers, including tumors in the neck, mouth, thyroid, throat/larynx, pituitary gland, saliva glands, ear, eye and nose. Our specialized, highly precise radiation therapy options include Radixact Helical Therapy and stereotactic radiosurgery using the Leksell Gamma Knife® Perfexion.

Our Lung and Thoracic Cancer Program focuses on the treatment of lung and esophageal cancer, Barrett's Esophagus, chest wall tumors and mediastinal tumors. We offer state-of-the-art radiation oncology expertise, including PET/CT scan fusion for more accurate radiation planning and stereotactic radiosurgery with the TrueBeam STx for medically inoperable patients and patients who choose not to have surgery.

Our Jenny Sullivan Sanford Melanoma & Skin Cancer Program is the only program dedicated to advanced melanoma care in South Carolina. Our program has been designated a Melanoma Center of Excellence (MCE) by the Melanoma Hope Network — one of fewer than 20 programs with this designation in the United States. Our radiation oncology treatments for melanoma include stereotactic radiosurgery using the Leksell Gamma Knife® Perfexion, Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), Radixact Helical Therapy and HDR brachytherapy for temporary radiation implants.

Our Brain & Spine Tumor Program is a collaboration between Hollings Cancer Center and the MUSC Neurosciences team. Our program offers the latest in radiation oncology treatments for patients with tumors of the brain and spine, including the only Gamma Knife Center in the Lowcountry.

Ranked among the nation’s top pediatric facilities, MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital is known for its exceptional dedication to caring for children and adolescents with cancer. Our Pediatric Cancer Program is part of the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Unit at MUSC Health, South Carolina’s most comprehensive pediatric health care center. We bring together leading experts from radiation oncology and other oncology specialties to offer the most comprehensive care available anywhere.

Our Prostate and Genitourinary Cancer Program is recognized as a regional leader in the treatment of genitourinary cancers, including cancers of the prostate, bladder, kidney, adrenal system, penis and testes. Our radiation oncology team uses targeted tumor ablation — such as cryotherapy, radio frequency ablation and brachytherapy — to kill tumors while preserving surrounding tissue.

Our Sarcoma Program is well-known and respected throughout the country — we are one of a small number of health care centers offering focused sarcoma care. With only an estimated 11,000 new cases of sarcoma diagnosed in the United States each year, it is imperative that patients are treated at a center with a team of physicians experienced in this disease. This ensures that patients get an accurate diagnosis, timely staging and appropriate treatment.