Every six minutes, someone in the U.S. is diagnosed with a brain or spinal cord tumor, often inoperable.
But, a special type of radiation therapy called proton therapy "zaps" cancer and is giving patients with hard-to-reach tumors new hope.
Dr. Roizen welcomes Dr. Naren Ramakrishna, director of neurologic and pediatric radiation oncology at UF Health Cancer Center in Orlando, Florida. Dr. Ramakrishna explains why proton therapy is the best solution for some people, how it works, and what it means for the future of cancer treatment.
Learn more about this fascinating advancement that has shown promise in treating several kinds of cancer.
Bonus!
5 Surprising Habits that Cause Back Pain
Selected Podcast
Treating Cancer with Proton Therapy
Featuring:
Naren R. Ramakrishna, MD, PhD, is director of neurologic and pediatric radiation oncology at UF Health Cancer Center Orlando Health, and director of proton therapy at UF Health Cancer Center Orlando Health.
Dr. Ramakrishna received his bachelor’s degree in biology at The Johns Hopkins University, and his medical degree through the Medical Scientist Training Program at Cornell University’s Weill Cornell Medical College. He earned a doctorate in cell biology and genetics from the Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences.
After an internal medicine internship at Mount Sinai Hospital, he completed a residency in radiation oncology at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, where he was chief resident. He also completed a Koch Research Fellowship in gene therapy and received an American Association for Cancer Research-Glaxo Wellcome Oncology Scholar Award.
Dr. Ramakrishna served for eight years on the faculty of Harvard Medical School as an instructor in radiation oncology. He was also chief of central nervous system radiation oncology at Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center and director of the CNS Radiation Oncology Fellowship Program. He is a diplomate of both the United States Medical Licensing Examination and the American Board of Radiology.
Dr. Ramakrishna is an author of 12 book chapters, and numerous peer-reviewed manuscripts. He has presented his work at national and international symposia. His current research centers on stereotactic radiosurgery and radiotherapy and proton treatment for primary and metastastic brain tumors.
Naren R. Ramakrishna, MD, PhD
Naren R. Ramakrishna, MD, PhD, is director of neurologic and pediatric radiation oncology at UF Health Cancer Center Orlando Health, and director of proton therapy at UF Health Cancer Center Orlando Health.Dr. Ramakrishna received his bachelor’s degree in biology at The Johns Hopkins University, and his medical degree through the Medical Scientist Training Program at Cornell University’s Weill Cornell Medical College. He earned a doctorate in cell biology and genetics from the Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences.
After an internal medicine internship at Mount Sinai Hospital, he completed a residency in radiation oncology at The Johns Hopkins Hospital, where he was chief resident. He also completed a Koch Research Fellowship in gene therapy and received an American Association for Cancer Research-Glaxo Wellcome Oncology Scholar Award.
Dr. Ramakrishna served for eight years on the faculty of Harvard Medical School as an instructor in radiation oncology. He was also chief of central nervous system radiation oncology at Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center and director of the CNS Radiation Oncology Fellowship Program. He is a diplomate of both the United States Medical Licensing Examination and the American Board of Radiology.
Dr. Ramakrishna is an author of 12 book chapters, and numerous peer-reviewed manuscripts. He has presented his work at national and international symposia. His current research centers on stereotactic radiosurgery and radiotherapy and proton treatment for primary and metastastic brain tumors.
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