Radiation Oncology Center

Letter from Our Medical Directors	Leading-Edge Technology	GCM-Suburban Partnership
To Make An Appointment	What Our Patients Say	Our Staff

Our state of-the-art facility is designed to provide cutting edge technology that enables radiation oncologists to maximize radiation dose to the tumor area while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. This facility is located in the Suburban Outpatient Medical Center at 6420 Rockledge Drive in Bethesda. The phone number is 301.896.2012.

This facility features a CT simulator that integrates imaging and computer programming capabilities, allowing physicians to create advanced treatment plans with three dimensional conformal radiation therapy. The center houses two Varian linear accelerators with capability to provide Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), a revolutionary technology that improves the ability to shape the radiation dose by varying the intensity within the beam. Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) is another high tech procedure the center provides where daily images are fused to assure precise positioning and tumor targeting.

Suburban Hospital Radiation Oncology is staffed with a multidisciplinary team of caring, dedicated, and extremely competent professionals that will assist you step by step through your entire radiation therapy experience. You'll be greeted by our friendly and helpful administrative staff. Our team includes radiation oncologists, physicians who specialize in radiation therapy and oversee your treatment plan and implementation. Radiation physicists, who calibrate and maintain all radiation equipment, will also check your plans for accuracy. Board certified and state licensed radiation therapists will provide your daily treatments under the direction of the radiation oncologist. Board certified and state licensed nurses provide you the daily care necessary, assisting you from your first visit till your last follow up appointment. Board certified medical dosimetrists work with the physician and physicist to plan and calculate your therapy treatment. Our ancillary care staff includes dietary and social support as well as care coordinators, who help manage all aspects of your treatment.

A Unique Partnership with GCM-Suburban Imaging

The diagnostic capabilities available at GCM-Suburban Imaging make it one of the most technologically sophisticated and integrated radiology facilities in Montgomery County. And, the office is located just two floors above Radiation Oncology in the Suburban Outpatient Medical Center. The equipment includes spiral CT, high-field MRI, a combined PET/CT scanner and a multislice CT for diagnostic and screeing CT exams. Through a picture archiving communication system (PACS), image capture is digital, allowing radiologists a variety of processing options for enhanced interpretive abilities. Suburban Hospital's ability to fuse high-tech MRI and PET images from the GCM-Suburban Imaging Center with the radiation therapy treatment planning system has enhanced target definition capabilities for radiation treatment planning.

To Make an Appointment

Patients are referred to Suburban Outpatient Radiation Oncology by their physician. To make an appointment, call 301.896.2012. Our staff will mail you some forms to complete prior to your visit. On the day of your appointment, bring those forms, your insurance card, picture ID, and your referral. Your first visit will include a 1½ hour consultation with one of our radiation oncologists. If it is determined that you will be treated with radiation, you'll be scheduled for a simulation (45 minutes to 1 hour), either that day or for another time. Treatment usually begins within a week.

Patient Satisfaction Is Our First Priority

"My sincere thanks to each one of you for your compassion, sensitivity, and encouragement throughout this ordeal."

"Your understanding, advice and kind manner have helped to make these treatments more bearable."

"I feel so fortunate that I have found you. I know I am in good hands."

"I want to thank everyone for making what could have been a horrendous experience as pleasant as possible. You all showed me kindness, understanding, a sense of humor, and a willingness to see me as a human being and reveal yourselves as human beings, too."