What Does a Radiation Oncologist Actually Do? Featuring Dr. Shamsundar at Precision Oncology Clinic
When someone is diagnosed with cancer, they may meet several different specialists—medical oncologists, surgical oncologists and radiation oncologists. For many patients and families, understanding the role of each specialist can make the treatment journey less confusing.
So, what does a radiation oncologist actually do?
A radiation oncologist is a cancer specialist who evaluates whether radiation therapy should be part of a patient’s treatment and plans how radiation can be delivered safely and precisely.
At Precision Oncology Clinic, Bangalore, Dr. Shamsundar, Radiation Oncologist, contributes to multidisciplinary cancer care by helping patients understand radiation therapy, when it may be recommended and how it fits into their overall treatment plan.
Who Is a Radiation Oncologist?
A radiation oncologist is a doctor who specialises in treating cancer using radiation therapy.
Radiation therapy uses carefully planned doses of high-energy radiation to damage cancer cells and prevent them from continuing to grow and divide.
However, the radiation oncologist’s role involves much more than simply prescribing radiation.
The specialist evaluates the patient’s diagnosis, reviews scans and pathology reports, determines whether radiation is appropriate, develops an individualised treatment strategy and monitors the patient throughout treatment.
The goal is to deliver an effective dose to the cancer while reducing unnecessary exposure to surrounding healthy tissues and organs as much as clinically possible.
What Does a Radiation Oncologist Do?
1. Evaluates Whether Radiation Therapy Is Needed
Not every person diagnosed with cancer requires radiation therapy.
A radiation oncologist reviews several factors before recommending treatment, including:
- Type of cancer
- Location of the tumour
- Stage of cancer
- Tumour size
- Pathology findings
- Previous treatments
- Overall health of the patient
- Proximity of the tumour to important organs
Based on these factors, radiation may be recommended alone or as part of a broader cancer treatment plan.
2. Creates a Personalised Radiation Treatment Plan
Radiation treatment is carefully planned for each individual patient.
Before treatment begins, imaging such as CT scans and, where appropriate, MRI or PET scans may be used to identify the tumour and surrounding structures.
The radiation oncology team then determines:
- The exact area that requires treatment
- The appropriate radiation dose
- How many treatment sessions may be required
- How surrounding healthy tissues can be protected
This planning process helps deliver radiation accurately to the intended treatment area.
3. Works With Other Cancer Specialists
Cancer treatment often requires more than one specialist.
A radiation oncologist may work closely with:
- Medical oncologists
- Surgical oncologists
- Radiologists
- Pathologists
- Medical physicists
- Radiation therapists
- Other supportive care specialists
This is known as a multidisciplinary approach to cancer treatment.
For example, a patient may receive chemotherapy before surgery, undergo surgery to remove the tumour and later receive radiation therapy to reduce the risk of cancer returning.
The sequence varies considerably depending on the cancer type and individual clinical situation.
At Precision Oncology Clinic, multidisciplinary evaluation helps ensure that treatment decisions consider the different therapeutic options available to each patient.
When Is Radiation Therapy Used?
Radiation therapy can play different roles during cancer treatment.
As the Main Treatment
For certain cancers, radiation therapy may be used as the primary treatment, sometimes together with chemotherapy or other systemic treatments.
Before Surgery
Radiation may sometimes be given before surgery to reduce the size of a tumour and make surgical treatment more effective or feasible.
This is known as neoadjuvant radiation therapy.
After Surgery
Radiation may be recommended after surgery to treat microscopic cancer cells that may remain in the surrounding area and reduce the risk of local recurrence.
This is known as adjuvant radiation therapy.
Alongside Chemotherapy
Certain cancers may respond better when chemotherapy and radiation are given together. This approach is known as chemoradiation.
To Control Symptoms
Radiation therapy can also be used in advanced cancer to help relieve symptoms caused by tumours, such as:
- Pain
- Bleeding
- Pressure on surrounding organs
- Certain symptoms caused by bone metastases
This is often called palliative radiation therapy and aims to improve comfort and quality of life.
Which Cancers Can Be Treated With Radiation Therapy?
Radiation therapy may be used in the management of many different cancers, including:
- Breast cancer
- Head and neck cancer
- Brain tumours
- Lung cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Cervical cancer
- Uterine and other gynaecological cancers
- Rectal and gastrointestinal cancers
- Certain lymphomas
- Bone and soft-tissue tumours
- Metastatic cancers
Whether radiation is appropriate depends on the individual diagnosis and should be determined after specialist evaluation.
Is Radiation Therapy Painful?
The delivery of external beam radiation itself is generally painless.
A patient typically lies in a carefully planned position while the radiation equipment delivers treatment to the targeted area.
Patients do not normally feel the radiation entering the body.
However, side effects can develop during or after a course of treatment. These vary depending on the body area being treated, radiation dose and individual patient factors.
Possible side effects may include:
- Fatigue
- Skin changes in the treated area
- Changes in appetite
- Difficulty swallowing when certain areas are treated
- Bowel or urinary changes depending on the treatment location
The radiation oncology team monitors patients throughout treatment and helps manage side effects when they occur.
Does Radiation Therapy Make a Patient Radioactive?
This is a common concern.
Patients receiving standard external beam radiation therapy do not become radioactive and can generally interact normally with family members after treatment.
Some forms of internal radiation treatment, known as brachytherapy or systemic radionuclide therapy, may require temporary precautions depending on the treatment used.
Your radiation oncologist will explain any necessary precautions before treatment.
How Has Radiation Oncology Become More Precise?
Modern radiation oncology has advanced significantly.
Contemporary treatment planning and delivery techniques can allow radiation to conform more closely to the shape and location of a tumour while helping limit exposure to nearby healthy structures.
Depending on the cancer and clinical indication, techniques may include:
- 3D conformal radiation therapy
- Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)
- Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT)
- Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT)
- Stereotactic radiosurgery or radiotherapy
- Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT)
- Brachytherapy
Not every technique is appropriate for every patient. The radiation oncologist determines the treatment approach based on the diagnosis, tumour characteristics and individual clinical needs.
Meet Dr. Shamsundar – Radiation Oncologist in Bangalore
Dr. Shamsundar is a Radiation Oncologist associated with Precision Oncology Clinic, Bangalore, providing specialist evaluation and guidance for patients who may require radiation as part of their cancer treatment.
His role includes assessing patients, reviewing diagnostic findings, helping formulate radiation treatment strategies and coordinating with other oncology specialists as part of multidisciplinary cancer care.
For patients facing a cancer diagnosis, understanding why radiation is recommended, what the treatment involves and what to expect during therapy can help them make more informed decisions about their care.
Why Multidisciplinary Cancer Care Matters
Cancer is rarely managed by one doctor alone.
Depending on the diagnosis, a patient’s treatment team may include a surgical oncologist to evaluate surgery, a medical oncologist to manage systemic treatments such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy or immunotherapy, and a radiation oncologist to determine the role of radiation.
Bringing these perspectives together helps create a more comprehensive and personalised treatment strategy.
At Precision Oncology Clinic, the focus is on coordinated, evidence-based and patient-centred cancer care.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a medical oncologist and a radiation oncologist?
A medical oncologist primarily manages systemic cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy. A radiation oncologist specialises in using radiation therapy to treat cancer. They often work together as part of a multidisciplinary oncology team.
Do all cancer patients need radiation therapy?
No. Radiation is recommended only when clinically appropriate based on the type, location and stage of cancer, previous treatments and individual patient factors.
How many radiation sessions are required?
The number of sessions varies considerably. Some treatments may require only a few sessions, while others may be delivered over several weeks. Your radiation oncologist determines the schedule based on your individual treatment plan.
Can radiation therapy be given after cancer surgery?
Yes. Radiation is commonly used after surgery for selected cancers when it may help reduce the risk of local recurrence. Whether it is required depends on pathology findings and other clinical factors.
When should I consult a radiation oncologist?
A consultation may be recommended when radiation therapy could potentially form part of your cancer treatment. Patients seeking a second opinion about their treatment options may also benefit from specialist evaluation.
Consult a Radiation Oncologist in Bangalore
If you or a family member has been diagnosed with cancer and would like to understand whether radiation therapy should be part of the treatment plan, a specialist consultation can help clarify the available options.
Precision Oncology Clinic – Comprehensive Cancer Care in Bangalore
📞 +91-9591535454
Website: precisiononcologyclinic.com
This article is intended for general educational purposes and should not replace individual medical advice. Cancer treatment decisions should be made after consultation with qualified oncology specialists.
