Geniuses only?

[freeWillieB]

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So, do you have to be some kind of freaky genius to be a radiation oncologist? Hopefully, I'll have the grades, step scores, and recs to get the residency, but only because I work twice as hard as the next guy (I'm not one of those gifted folks that make med school seem easy). It sounds like only the best of the best do rad onc. Is there a point where hard work won't get you any further, and you're either talented enough to excel in this field full of brainiacs or you're not?

 

[IndyXRT]

So, do you have to be some kind of freaky genius to be a radiation oncologist? Hopefully, I'll have the grades, step scores, and recs to get the residency, but only because I work twice as hard as the next guy (I'm not one of those gifted folks that make med school seem easy). It sounds like only the best of the best do rad onc. Is there a point where hard work won't get you any further, and you're either talented enough to excel in this field full of brainiacs or you're not?

No, radiation oncology is not a field populated solely by exceedingly smart people. I know first hand (as I am no genius). Hard work, combined with a genuine interest in the field, should suffice. Research is always looked upon favorably. Being a very small field, knowing the right people can also be invaluable. For more information, see the excellent FAQ. If it does not answer your questions, feel free to PM me.

 

[Gfunk6]

Agree with what IndyXRT said. Also, let me add that RadOnc (like Derm, Plastics, Ortho, ENT, etc.) is the "flavor of the moment" when it comes to residencies. Any competent graduate of a medical school can be trained as a good RadOnc doc. Unfortunately, in the current environment the competition is very fierce.

So, you don't have to be a genius to be a RadOnc, but your application has to be very good nonetheless to get a spot.

 

[Pewl]

How much would it help that I did my graduate degree in Biomedical Physics at UCLA? My professors in the rad onc dept told me that it should be an asset later on.

I worked almost exclusively in radiation oncology and am familiar with all of the technology and physics in rad onc, including stereotactic and brachytherapy stuff. I worked as the planning physicist for veterinary radiation oncology while I was a grad student too, so I'm pretty familiar with the current treatment planning systems (eclipse, xio, theraplan plus). My research is in IGRT and stereotactic radiosurgery stuff.

I'd really, really like to get into rad onc later, hopefully it won't be as fiercely competitive a few years from now.

 

[freeWillieB]

Thanks Gfunk and Indy, that's encouraging to hear.

 

[IndyXRT]

How much would it help that I did my graduate degree in Biomedical Physics at UCLA? My professors in the rad onc dept told me that it should be an asset later on.

I worked almost exclusively in radiation oncology and am familiar with all of the technology and physics in rad onc, including stereotactic and brachytherapy stuff. I worked as the planning physicist for veterinary radiation oncology while I was a grad student too, so I'm pretty familiar with the current treatment planning systems (eclipse, xio, theraplan plus). My research is in IGRT and stereotactic radiosurgery stuff.

I'd really, really like to get into rad onc later, hopefully it won't be as fiercely competitive a few years from now.

This certainly sounds like a great start. Study hard for Step I (your life will be much easier if this score is high) and make some contacts (away rotations, etc.) for letters of recommendation.

On an unrelated note, what is your take on Xio vs. Eclipse? We use both in our department (one system at university, one at VA). I find Eclipse more user friendly, but am told by the physics staff that the algorithms are more accurate in Xio. Just random curiosity.

 

[Pewl]

This certainly sounds like a great start. Study hard for Step I (your life will be much easier if this score is high) and make some contacts (away rotations, etc.) for letters of recommendation.

On an unrelated note, what is your take on Xio vs. Eclipse? We use both in our department (one system at university, one at VA). I find Eclipse more user friendly, but am told by the physics staff that the algorithms are more accurate in Xio. Just random curiosity.

It used to be the case that Eclipse's pencil-beam algorithm was fairly inaccurate, but with the latest version I believe they improved on that. Overall, I think Eclipse blows Xio outta the water right now. Eclipse and Pinnacle are probably at the forefront of planning systems. I'm personally most familiar with Theraplan Plus because it's used exclusively at ucla (except for radiosurgery where Brainscan is used). Torrance Memorial uses Xio and Palm Springs Comprehensive Cancer Center uses Eclipse. Of these three Eclipse had the coolest tools and features.

On another unrelated note, I'm likely going to SLU for med school. One of my professors, who is the director of rad onc residency here at ucla, recommended that I do one of my rotations at the rad onc dept at Mallinckrodt at WashU while I'm at St. Louis. Do you think I'll be able to get a good letter of rec at WashU even if I'm not a student there? I don't even know when you're supposed to ask for a letter of rec either.

 

[stephew]

Well it depends on the kind of job you do. A rotation will either impress them and youll get a nice letter and perhaps an offer someday, it will be so-so but youll probably leave with a good letter, or it wont be very good and it will do little for you.

 

[pikachu]

The very fact that you want to do radiation oncology proves that you are a genius. Best ... Specialty ... Ever!!!!! 😀 😀 😀 😀

 

[IndyXRT]

On another unrelated note, I'm likely going to SLU for med school. One of my professors, who is the director of rad onc residency here at ucla, recommended that I do one of my rotations at the rad onc dept at Mallinckrodt at WashU while I'm at St. Louis. Do you think I'll be able to get a good letter of rec at WashU even if I'm not a student there? I don't even know when you're supposed to ask for a letter of rec either.

Mallinckrodt is certainly a well known department. It has, in the past, had a reputation for being not-so-nice to the residents. This is just hearsay and conjecture, though. I put it out there for others with first hand knowledge to support or refute. I have no idea how this translates to treatment of medical students.

You would likely be doing the rotation late in your 3rd year or early in your 4th year. It would be appropriate to ask for a letter at the end of your rotation, if you thought things had gone well (if you wait until later, they might not be able to write as detailed a letter).