Radiation Oncology
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has awarded our practice full APEx accreditation in radiation oncology.
Radiation oncology harnesses the power of ionizing radiation, which consists of highly energized particles, X-rays or gamma rays to treat cancer. SCOA offers several cutting edge radiation oncology technologies for cancer treatment in Columbia.
The radiation oncologists at SCOA are board-certified experts in the evaluation and treatment of cancer. Our radiation oncologists work with medical physicists, dosimetrists and nurses and therapists as part of a highly sought-after cancer fighting team. SCOA radiation oncologists work closely with medical oncologists, who provide treatment with chemotherapy and other types of therapy.
As the only Accreditation Program for Excellence (APEx) facility in South Carolina, we take great pride in offering immediate access to our specialists and providers.
SCOA is proud to offer the latest in state-of-the-art radiation therapy. We offer both frameless linear accelerator-based SRS using the Brainlab system and Gamma Knife SRS. Your board-certified radiation oncologist will work with a multidisciplinary team of neurosurgeons, medical oncologists, medical physicists, pathologists and neuroradiologists to determine the best plan of care for you based on the unique nature of your condition and your individual needs.
Our radiation oncologists use IMRT, IGRT, VMAT, SBRT, SRS and Gamma Knife to treat cancer with submillimeter accuracy.
These precision therapies allow our cancer doctors to target a tumor while minimizing the effects of radiation on the surrounding tissue, which gives patients the best possible outcome and the shortest recovery time.
This team approach to cancer care allows our radiation oncologists to treat cancer in the most effective and aggressive manner possible without compromising patient safety.
Radiation Oncologists
Radiation Oncology Technologies for Cancer Care in Columbia
Continuous improvements in technologies and techniques have revolutionized radiation oncology, and SCOA has been the pacesetter in radiation oncology in South Carolina and much of the Southeast. SCOA was one of the first South Carolina oncology centers to implement revolutionary radiation therapy treatments, such as:
- B-Mode Acquisition and Targeting System, a sophisticated three-dimensional tracking system that helps to localize tumors that sometimes move in between treatments.
- Intensity-modulated Radiation Therapy, a new radiation oncology technology that delivers radiation more precisely to the tumor while sparing healthy tissue nearby.
- Image-guided Radiation Therapy, the use of imaging during radiation to help localize tumors that move.
- Volumetric Arc Therapy, or VMAT, which can deliver a dose of radiation to the entire tumor in a single in a 360-degree rotation, unlike conventional IMRT treatments that must make repeated stops and starts to deliver several smaller doses.
- Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy, or SBRT, which administers very high doses of radiation, using several beams of various intensities aimed at different angles to precisely target a tumor.
- Stereotactic Radiosurgery, or SRS, is an advanced radiotherapy technique that delivers treatment with the precision of surgery without the need for anesthesia, incisions, or hospitalization.
Radiation Oncology Team
Hassaan Alkhatib, PhD, DABR
Chief of Medical Physics
Dr. Hassaan Alkhatib has been with SCOA since 2004. He was drawn to medical physics after a family member was diagnosed with head and neck cancer. Throughout this experience, Dr. Alkhatib learned the vital importance of physics in the treatment of cancer.
Dr. Alkhatib takes pride in the fact that the specialists at SCOA are commonly the first to be credentialed and certified in any new treatment methodology and technique for radiation oncology.
His special interests include clinical research related to radiation oncology. More specifically, artificial intelligence in radiotherapy treatment planning systems and targeted Alpha particles in radiotherapy.
In his free time, Dr. Alkhatib enjoys traveling with his children.
Education
- Undergraduate: University of Wisconsin
- Graduate school: The University of North Dakota and The University of Minnesota
- Residency: The University of Minnesota
Mandy Smith RT (R) (T)
Radiation Therapy Manager
Mandy Smith has always enjoyed taking care of patients and after working in x-ray for 5 years, she decided she wanted a bit more patient interaction than she had in outpatient care. Mandy completed a rotation through radiation therapy and was inspired to move away from x-ray, and into radiation therapy. She greatly enjoys the day-to-day patient contact and the opportunity to form relationships with her patients.
Mandy has been with SCOA for 19 years. During her time here she has found that SCOA is a great center that offers patients all of their oncology care in one location. She is proud that within the radiation therapy department, there is an awesome group of therapists that truly care for their patients and do their best on a daily basis to meet each individual’s needs.
In her time off, Mandy loves to travel to the beach and the mountains. She loves hanging out with friends and family, shopping, reading, and relaxing.
Education
- Radiation Therapy Training: Spartanburg Technical College
Dana Pennington, RN
Radiation Oncology Clinical Nurse Manager
Dana started working inpatient medical oncology as a new graduate nurse and within months knew that oncology was where she was meant to be.
She has worked with the SCOA Medical Oncologists in the inpatient setting for over 12 years. She came to the outpatient setting and joined SCOA 3 years ago.
Dana believes that SCOA is a patient-centered practice. At SCOA, we focus on up to date clinical care and take pride in the patient experience whether it is getting timely appointments, easy access to information, a smile and helping hand or ensuring that patients feel they have good communication with their health care providers. We offer a comprehensive care practice where the patient’s entire team is under one roof- medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, pharmacists, nursing, medical assistants, social workers, physical therapists, a family counselor, radiology and diagnostic imaging and speech therapy.
In her time off, Dana likes to be outdoors – sporting events, fishing, boating, golfing and spending time at the lake with friends and family. She enjoys traveling and exploring new countries and cultures.
