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Careers in Medicine: Specialty Information

Radiation Oncology

Nature of the work

A radiation oncologist is a doctor who specializes in using radiation to treat cancer.They use radiation therapy and other treatments to cure cancer, to control the growth of the cancer or to relieve symptoms, such as pain.

Training/residency information

The residency training program for radiation oncology is five years of approved training. The first year is usually accredited clinical training in Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Surgery or surgical specialties, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Neurology, Family Practice, Emergency Medicine, or any combination of these.

Workforce and salary information

According to the 2002 Radiation Oncology Workforce study from the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, there is a workforce shortage across all radiation oncology healthcare professionals, including radiation oncologists. The annual salary for oncologists ranges from $216,550 to $396,104.

For more information

Source: National Cancer Institute, and the "2006 Physician Compensation Survey," Modern Healthcare. July 17, 2006. (Based on surveys conducted by American Medical Group Association; Cejka Search; Daniel Stern & Associates; Delta Physician Placement; Hay Group; Hospital & Healthcare Compensation Service; Jackson & Coker; Martin, Fletcher & Associates; MD Network; Medical Group Management Association; Medicus Partners; Merritt, Hawkins & Associates; Pcific Cos.; Pinnacle Helaht Group; and Sullivan, Cotter & Associates.)