Patient Care

The Leksell Gamma Knife® Perfexion™ is an effective, non-invasive alternative to traditional brain surgery. This highly sophisticated technology directs precisely focused radiation to specific targets in the brain. Typically performed in a single outpatient treatment session without general anesthesia, the Gamma Knife helps patients avoid incision, scarring, and long hospital stays while minimizing surgical complications. For many conditions, Gamma Knife Perfexion treatment is the most accurate form of stereotactic radiosurgery available. 192 beams of Cobalt 60 radiation are delivered through the intact skull to a small and critically located intracranial volume, to arrest or alter tissue growth.

The Gamma Knife, which contains no blade and makes no incision, is exclusively designed for the treatment of malignant and benign brain tumors, vascular malformations and trigeminal neuralgia. As a non-invasive treatment for individuals with well-defined patient profiles, Gamma Knife surgery offers a low-risk, safe and cost-effective alternative.

The Gamma Knife Perfexion combines data from three-dimensional computer imaging studies with a stereotactic head frame to precisely focus radiation. It can destroy, arrest or reduce tumors, cause lesions to deteriorate, close arteriovenous malformations, and alter the conducting pain fibers in cases of trigeminal neuralgia.

At the time of treatment, the patient is fitted with a stereotactic head frame, which serves as a measuring guide and helps keep the head in a fixed position to assure maximum treatment accuracy. The frame’s external axis is used to determine coordinates for targeting the abnormality.

After the frame is attached, the patient receives an MRI, CT, or angiographic scan. Data from the imaging study is transferred into the state-of-the-art treatment planning computer, which enables the treatment team (a neurosurgeon, radiation oncologist, radiation physicist and technicians) to tailor radiation dose distribution to conform specifically to the lesion volume. Completing the treatment plan takes one to two hours, depending on the complexity and location of the disease.

When the treatment plan is completed, the patient is placed on the Gamma Knife couch and precisely positioned. Next, the patient is introduced headfirst into the Gamma Knife, and the procedure begins. The patient is treated with 192 sources of Cobalt 60 housed in the Gamma Knife. The 192 single doses of gamma rays converge at the target area and deliver a dose that is high enough to destroy the diseased tissue without damaging surrounding healthy tissue. This precisely focused radiation targets the lesion, sparing the surrounding healthy tissue.

USC Gamma Knife Team

Our Gamma Knife team at Keck Hospital of USC and the Keck School of Medicine of USC includes neurosurgeons, radiation oncologists, medical physicists, radiation therapists and nurses. Our multidisciplinary team evaluates each patient to determine whether Gamma Knife treatment is the best option. The patient’s medical history is reviewed, along with imaging studies and information provided by the patient’s physician. If Gamma Knife treatment is not considered appropriate, the team will suggest an alternate treatment option.

Gamma Knife treatment offers the following advantages:

• Non-invasive procedure.
• Delivered in a single treatment session.
• Precise mechanical accuracy of .3mm.
• Decreased risk: avoids risks and complications of traditional surgery.
• Minimal hospital stay: usually performed in an outpatient treatment session; patient can resume normal activities within days of procedure.
• Cost-effective: Reduced costs due to post-surgical complications; no expenses for disability and convalescence.
• Reimbursement by most insurance payors.

The Gamma Knife Perfexion System:

• Has new radiation shielding levels that are up to 100 times better than alternative technologies on the market.
• Provides unlimited reach to areas in the brain, and with future fixation devices, can reach into the cervical spine area.
• Being fully automated makes the treatment process more user friendly and efficient for both the treating physicians and patients.
• Includes added features to increase patient comfort while still providing the most accurate stereotactic radiosurgical procedures for the brain.

In 3D conformal radiotherapy, the radiation oncologist shapes and precisely delivers high-energy x-ray beams to the disease site while optimally protecting normal tissues. 3D conformal radiotherapy uses high-speed computers to extract the CT/MRI data, perform three-dimensional isodose calculations, and overlay the data for the radiation oncologist’s and medical physicist’s analysis. This technique allows more accurate and conformal treatment planning so that there is adequate coverage of the tumor with minimal toxicity to the adjacent healthy tissues.

Brachytherapy is the practice of placing radioactive material inside the body for the purpose of killing cancer cells. In low-dose rate brachytherapy, the radioactive material remains in the patient’s body and delivers radiation to the tumor over several days.

High-dose rate brachytherapy delivers a stronger dose of radiation, during one or more individual treatment sessions. The source of radiation is removed from the patient after each session.

Intracavitary brachytherapy

Intracavitary brachytherapy is commonly used to treat patients with cervical and uterine cancers by placing a radioactive source (such as cesium-137 or iridium-192) in a surgical or body cavity, near the area that requires treatment. This option delivers high doses of radiation to the tumor while having minimal impact on the surrounding healthy tissue.

Interstitial brachytherapy

Interstitial brachytherapy is the surgical implantation of radioactive needles or seeds directly into a tumor. It is widely used to treat cancers of the breast and prostate. The radioactive source may remain in the body permanently, even after all of the radiation has been given off.

While less than one-third of all radiation therapy facilities in the United States perform clinical brachytherapy, radiation oncologists at USC have been leaders in developing innovative clinical brachytherapy techniques since the 1970’s. In 2012, through the joint efforts of the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck Hospital of USC, Los Angeles General Medical Center and Doheny Eye Hospital, special brachytherapy programs are being utilized for managing the most difficult, persistent and recurrent cancers.

Bladder

Brain tumors require a multifaceted approach to identify the best treatment course. USC’sDepartment of Radiation Oncology works closely with the Brain Tumor Center to offer themost advanced state-of-the-art treatment for brain tumors and other central nervoussystem conditions.

Modern sophisticated technologies allow for better sparing of structures in the brain which minimize or avoid neurocognitive side effects and other side effects of radiation. Such advanced technologies even allow us to safely retreat tumors in select patients.

Research is a core-component of the multi-disciplinary brain and spine tumor team and every patient is screened for their eligibility for available clinical trials. We maintain a largeportfolio of clinical trials for a variety of tumor types and patients. Our department alsoengages in basic brain tumor research through federal funding from the National Institutesof Health and private foundations.

The USC Department of Radiation Oncology offers state-of-the-art technology to patientswith brain tumors and spine tumors. This includes Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) andIntensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT). Our Radiation Oncologists work closely withneurosurgeons, neuro-radiologists, neuro-oncologists, pathologists, endocrinologists,other specialists, and advanced practitoners to discuss cases to provide the best possiblerecommendations for patients.

The Keck Medicine of USC Department of Radiation Oncology works with teams from various Departments to deliver the best patient focused care. With our multi-disciplinary clinics and specialists, we can decide the best possible treatment plans for patients and work with them to implement those plans seamlessly. We offer standard care treatments and multiple clinical trials for our patients with colorectal and anal cancers. Treatment courses often encompass a combination of surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy that are individually tailored for each patient and can be delivered in various locations across the USC network to ensure the best quality and most convenient care. 

Radiation services offered by the Keck Medicine of USC Department of Radiation Oncology include external beam radiation therapy using ultramodern technology and planning systems for definitive treatment as well as stereotactic body radiotherapy for patients with limited metastatic disease. All our physicians are fully board-certified by the American Board of Radiology. 

We offer radiation therapy in the following settings: 

• Curative therapy for anal cancers 

• Curative therapy for colorectal cancers 

• Preoperative long course chemo-radiation (5-6 weeks) or short course radiation (5-day) or for locally advanced rectal cancers, all dependent on a patient’s specific factors 

• Total neoadjuvant therapy whereby a patient receives all their radiation and chemotherapy before surgery 

• Non-operative management: a potential treatment choice for select patients who have a complete response defined as resolution of tumor on MRI AND endoscopy after radiation and chemotherapy, where surgery can possibly be omitted from the overall treatment approach. These patients follow a closer surveillance protocol if they opt for the non-operative management approach 

• Post-operative radiation or chemoradiotherapy for patients with specific risk factors found after surgery in those who did not receive pre-operative treatment 

• Re-irradiation or repeat radiation treatment to the pelvis for recurrent tumors when a patient has already had earlier pelvic radiation therapy 

• Stereotactic body radiation therapy for oligometastatic (low-volume metastatic disease) in the liver, lungs, lymph nodes, or other locations 

• Palliative or symptomatic radiotherapy for anal and colorectal cancers that are causing pain, bleeding, obstruction, or other symptoms 

Radiation therapy plays a vital role in the treatment of esophageal cancer. At Keck Medicine of USC Department of Radiation Oncology our expert radiation oncologists work as part of a multidisciplinary team that includes surgeons, gastroenterologists, medical oncologists, and dietitians – all focused on navigating patients through the treatment options to their optimized and individualized regimen. 

Optimal treatment is dependent on many factors, including the type, stage, and an individual’s overall health. Radiation therapy, typically combined with chemotherapy, may be used before surgery to help improve cure rates. For those patients for whom surgery is not recommended, radiation with or without chemotherapy can be used for a curative approach. Stereotactic body radiation therapy may be used in select patients with limited metastatic disease. Radiation therapy alone may be used to decrease symptoms from esophageal cancer in patients with more advanced diseases.

All patients are screened for their eligibility for available clinical trials which may offer access to new treatment strategies. At Keck Medicine of USC, we use our clinical expertise coupled with advanced technology and sophisticated planning techniques to deliver a state-of-the-art treatment plan tailored to the individual patient. 

Keck Medicine of USC Department of Radiation Oncology works to treat a wide range of gynecologic cancers, including cervical, endometrial (Uterus), vaginal, vulvar, and ovarian cancers. With our multi-disciplinary clinics, we can decide the best possible treatment plans for patients and work together to implement those plans as seamlessly as possible. Treatment plans often include a combination of surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy that can be delivered in various locations across Southern California at one of Many Keck school of medicine clinics to ensure the best quality and most convenient care. 

Radiation services offered by the Keck USC include: external beam radiation therapy using state of the art linear accelerator technology and planning systems, intraoperative radiation therapy, and internal radiation treatments known as brachytherapy. Several members of our clinical staff have special expertise in gynecologic oncology brachytherapy and all our physicians are fully board-certified/eligible by the American Board of Radiology. 

Cancers of the head and neck are commonly treated with radiation therapy, either alone or in combination with surgery and/or chemotherapy. For early-stage tumors of many sites, radiotherapy offers an equally efficacious and generally less toxic alternative to radical surgery. For more advanced tumors, post-operative radiotherapy is often combined with conservative surgery by our cancer specialists to allow effective tumor control without severely disfiguring or dysfunctional treatment consequences. 

 Use of combined chemo-radiotherapy may allow for organ preservation which may lead to better outcomes. Multidisciplinary care among head and neck cancer specialists working closely together is essential to this program to ensure optimal outcomes for our patients.    

Our Department of Radiation Oncology and our cancer specialists are constantly evaluating the clinical outcomes of its treatment programs to optimize patient care. The departmental data for the control of early-stage vocal cord cancers was presented, and the data confirmed a 3-year local control rate of over 90% for the entire group. For those patients with highly localized tumors, the control rate was 100%. Additionally, the highly individualized treatment plans employed by our cancer specialists for these lateralized tumors result in significantly less soft-tissue edema and skin necrosis compared with patients treated using other radiotherapy techniques. 

Advanced technologies are now available for optimizing management, such as the incorporation of IMRT and other means of limiting side-effects of treatment and increasing cure rates. Additional supportive services including a dietitian, speech and swallow therapy, and physical therapy are available to assist patients during and after treatment to aid in recovery and improve quality of life. 

Radiation therapy/radiotherapy (also called X-ray treatment) is a type of cancer treatment that kills cancer cells. Using specialized equipment called a linear accelerator, high energy X-rays are aimed at a tumor/lesion, or to areas of the body where there are cancer cells.Radiotherapy plays a key role in managing all the stages of lung cancer. For patients with a diagnosis of lung cancer, their treatment needs will depend on the extent of their disease. These could range from being offered potential cures to primarily providing symptom relief in advanced disease. 

Depending on the case, radiotherapy may be used alone or combined with other treatments such chemotherapy and surgery to cure lung cancer.  In patients with more advanced cancer, lung radiotherapy is often used to relieve symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing up blood, or pain. 

Another form of treatment is called stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT)/stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR), also known as lung radiosurgery. It is a form of specialized radiotherapy that involves delivering very high dose of radiation precisely to tumors in the lung. It is now being used to replace surgery especially in those patients who may not be suitable for surgery. It can also help achieve long term remission, along with advanced systemic therapy. in patients with metastatic cancers of all types. Keck Medicine of USC is also one of the pioneers in an innovative treatment called Biology-Guided radiotherapy (BGRT), where the treatment machine can track active tumor in real time based on positron emission tomography (PET) signal to deliver highly precise radiation to obliterate the tumor. Our multidisciplinary lung team at USC will work with the patients to come up with the best treatment plan for each case.

Lymphoma

Ocular melanoma, also known as uveal melanoma, is a rare form of cancer that occurs in the eye. It primarily arises in the uveal tract, which includes the iris (the colored part of the eye), ciliary body (which helps control the shape of the lens), and choroid (the layer of blood vessels between the retina and the sclera). Ocular melanoma can lead to vision problems and, in some cases, metastasis (spread to other parts of the body).

These rare tumors of the eye require special ability and interdisciplinary cooperation to treat if vision is to be preserved. This treatment may include radiotherapy in the form of a temporary custom-made radioactive implant, called a plaque. USC’s Department of Radiation Oncology works closely with patients to decide the best treatment options.

Prostate

Sarcomas are a rare and broad group of cancers originating in the bones and soft tissues. Radiation therapy plays a vital role in the optimal management of sarcomas. At USC we have a multidisciplinary approach which considers a number of radiotherapy treatment options and advanced techniques tailored to the patient and their disease.

External beam radiation therapy (EBRT) is the most common form of radiation. EBRT is delivered by a highly sophisticated treatment machine known as a linear accelerator. EBRT is given as a daily treatment lasting only a few minutes, over several weeks. At USC we specialize in developing patient specific treatment plans that not only treat the tumor but look to limit side effects by limiting exposure to nearby normal tissues.

Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT) is another form of EBRT that accurately delivers a high dose of radiation, usually over 1–5 treatments for selected patients. This approach is often used for limited, unresectable disease.

Internal radiation therapy (brachytherapy) delivers a high dose of radiation to an area by using one or more implanted radioactive sources placed in or around where a tumor has been resected.

Every patient is different which is why our Sarcoma patients are ensured a multidisciplinary evaluation and individualized radiotherapy plan developed by an expert radiation oncologist utilizing advanced technologies, computer software, and treatment planning tailored to their specific anatomy.

Radiotherapy has traditionally played an important role in the treatment of a wide range of benign and malignant skin tumors. For small squamous cell or basal cell carcinomas, often just a few high–dose radiotherapy treatments to small target areas will suffice to cure the lesion. However, for more complex cases our team at Keck in our Radiation Oncology department will work to find the best patient specific approach to treatment. 

Spine tumors can be benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). A multidisciplinary team of neurosurgeons, medical oncologists, and radiation oncologists is needed to properly evaluate the best treatment for each individual patient. At Keck School of Medincine USC our approach assures the best individualized care for each patient.

Radiotherapy for spine tumors traditionally involves X–ray radiation over a number of days. At Keck school of Medicine of USC we also specialize in Stereotactic Radio Surgery (SRS) which uses state of the art technology and planning systems to precisely deliver very high doses of radiation to a tumor while also avoiding the spinal cord. Since SRS uses high doses of radiation safely, eligible patients can conveniently be treated in a small number of sessions, usually between 1–5 treatments

Radiation therapy plays a vital role in the management of hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancers. At Keck Medicine of USC Department of Radiation Oncology, our expert radiation oncologists work as part of the multidisciplinary team including surgeons, interventional radiologists, and medical oncologists – all focused on navigating patients through the treatment options to their optimized and individualized regimen. 

 For liver cancers specifically, such as Hepatocellular carcinoma, or liver metastases, stereotactic body radiation therapy is often an ideal form of treatment for patients with limited liver involvement. Stereotactic body radiation therapy requires optimal motion management to account for the liver’s inherent mobility, and we use advanced treatment planning techniques and considerations such as fiducial marker placement, gating, and breath-hold technique to deliver as highly targeted a treatment as possible. For larger liver tumors, we often use dose-escalated intensity modulated or volumetric modulated arc radiation therapies to provide optimal local control while sparing healthy liver tissue. 

 Radiation therapy is also often used in the management of biliary and pancreatic cancers, and our expert practitioners here at Keck Medicine of USC use both stereotactic body radiation therapy and volumetric modulated arc radiation therapy; sometimes in combination with concurrent chemotherapy delivered by our excellent medical oncologists, to treat our diverse patient population. Radiation therapy alone may be used to decrease symptoms from hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancers in patients with more advanced disease, and stereotactic body radiation therapy may be used for patients with limited metastatic disease. All patients are screened for their eligibility for available clinical trials which may offer access to new treatment strategies. At Keck Medicine of USC, we use our clinical ability coupled with advanced technology and sophisticated planning techniques to deliver a state-of-the-art treatment plan tailored to the individual patient. 

Our USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center oncology experts work together as a team to deliver patient-centered cancer care. Our renowned doctors and specialists use the latest cancer detection, prevention and treatment options to help you get the care you need each step of your cancer journey.

As an original National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated cancer center, we’re a well-established leader in cancer research. This means we’ll always be in front of the next big thing in oncology care. Through our research, we bring you the most advanced therapies available and aim to make cancer a disease of the past.

USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center and Hospital delivers exceptional, personalized care in 14 key areas of cancer treatment: breast cancer, cancerous brain tumors, gastrointestinal cancer, genetic counseling, gynecologic cancers, head and neck cancers, hematology, lung cancer, melanoma, neuro-oncology, radiation oncology, sarcoma, skin cancer and urologic oncology. Our 60-bed hospital is an integral part of our academic medical center.

Using a multidisciplinary team approach, the world-renowned physicians and scientists of USC Norris treat and prevent cancer by developing new therapies, enhancing existing treatments and providing personalized, precision care that is the most advanced available.

Our Location

USC Norris Radiation Oncology

1441 Eastlake Ave.

Los Angeles, CA 90033

Monday – Friday

8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

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Parking Information

The physicians and staff of Keck Medicine of USC offer residents in the Santa Clarita Valley comprehensive, innovative care and surgical services for colorectal conditions and diseases, urology, breast cancer and breast health, as well as radiation oncology services. Our clinics are located adjacent to the Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital campus.

This state-of-the-art facility is designed to support technologically advanced and patient-centered radiation oncology treatment, serving those who live or work in the Santa Clarita Valley and surrounding areas. Our approach integrates the latest scientific innovations in the detection and treatment of cancer, offering the most advanced radiation treatment modalities on-site.

Our Location

USC Santa Clarita Radiation Oncology

25751 McBean Parkway,  Suite 110

Santa Clarita CA, 91355

Monday – Friday

8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

(661) 839-1810

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Our newly opened clinic in Newport Beach opened in February of 2025, will be offering the latest advancements in radiation therapy and diagnostic imaging. The treatment center will feature cutting-edge cancer technologies that are yet to be available in Orange County, providing new therapeutic options and optimizing patient outcomes.

We look forward to the opportunity to serve the Newport Beach and surrounding area community very soon!

Our Location

USC Newport Beach Clinic

4590 MacArthur Blvd.

Newport Beach, CA 92660

Monday – Friday

8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Parking Information

Free parking is available.

Licensed under USC Kenneth Norris Jr. Cancer Hospital

The Pasadena Radiation Oncology Clinic is expected to open in Q4 of 2025. We look forward to serving the Pasadena and surrounding communities in the near future.

Our Location 

USC Pasadena Radiation Oncology Clinic

625 S. Fair Oaks Ave.

Pasadena, CA 91105

Monday – Friday

8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Parking Information

A parking structure is located on the premises. Our multidisciplinary location and USC Roski Eye Institute offer a partial validation. Parking is $1.50 every 15 min, up to a $12 per day maximum. The daily maximum with validation is $9 per day.Licensed by Keck Hospital of USC and USC Kenneth Norris Jr. Cancer Hospital