Cancer

Radiation Oncology Program

(415) 353-7175

The UCSF Radiation Oncology Program is among the nation's best for patients who require radiation therapy. We match you with a team of experts on your particular cancer and the best techniques for treating it. Along with UCSF's advanced technologies and our safe care practices, this expertise enables us to provide patients with the best possible outcomes.

We specialize in using high-dose, precisely targeted X-rays to shrink or eliminate tumor cells with minimal damage to surrounding healthy tissues. Depending on the patient, the goal is to destroy cancer, keep it from spreading, or improve quality of life by relieving pain and other symptoms.

Alongside our commitment to outstanding patient care, our team is dedicated to finding safer and more effective cancer therapies through research. Interested patients may have the opportunity to receive promising experimental treatments by joining a clinical trial.

For information on what to expect during your first appointment, how to prepare for your visits and more, please see our FAQ.

Learn more about clinical trials and how they work.

Doctor referral required

Our locations (5)

    Treatments we specialize in

    Our team

    View providers by category
    • Mission Bay (21)
    • Mount Zion (14)
    • Parnassus (13)
    • UCSF-John Muir Health Cancer Center (4)
    • UCSF – Washington Cancer Center (1)

    Decorative Caduceus

    Stereotactic Radiosurgery and Immunotherapy (Pembrolizumab) for the Treatment of Recurrent Meni...

    Percentage of patients who are progression-free at the landmark of 12 months from start of treatment based on the target lesion(s) that are receiving radiation treatment will be reported. Tumor progression will be assessed using I...

    Recruiting

    Decorative Caduceus

    Wearable Activity Tracking to Curb Hospitalizations

    The AUC-ROC of the step count model will measure the performance of a classification model by plotting the rate of true positives against false positives, and the score ranges from 0 - 1. The higher the AUC, the better the model's...

    Recruiting

    Decorative Caduceus

    A Study of Toripalimab in Combination With Cisplatin and Gemcitabine in Participants With Recur...

    Recruiting

    Decorative Caduceus

    Fatigue and Molecular Mechanisms in Cancer Patients Receiving CCRT

    Association between phenotypic characteristics and initial levels and trajectories of CRF severity will be assessed using a hierarchical linear model (HLM) approach.

    Recruiting

    Decorative Caduceus

    Nisin in Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OCSCC)

    Dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) are defined in Section 5.2.3. DLT determination will assess adverse events (AEs) graded according to CTCAE v5.0, including findings on physical exam, vital signs, laboratory testing, and spontaneous...

    Recruiting

    Decorative Caduceus

    Addressing Taste Dysfunction With Miraculin in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Receiving Radiatio...

    The Taste Assessment is a two-item questionnaire used to determine the overall experiences of the participant taste sensation in the past 7 days; with one item asking about taste alteration and another asking about the interferenc...

    Recruiting

    U.S. News rankings

    • U S News and World Report badge recognizing UCSF as part of its 2024-2025 Honor Roll

      Among the top hospitals in the nation

    • Best in Northern California and No. 7 in the nation for cancer care

    Accreditations & memberships

    • National Cancer Institute

      The National Cancer Institute has designated UCSF a comprehensive cancer center, its highest ranking. This designation is awarded to centers that demonstrate scientific excellence and the ability to conduct cancer research across many disciplines.

      Learn more

    • Commission on Cancer

      UCSF's cancer programs have been accredited by the American College of Surgeons' Commission on Cancer (CoC) since 1933. The CoC is a consortium of groups dedicated to improving cancer patients' survival and quality of life via research, education and better medical care.

      Learn more

    • National Comprehensive Cancer Network

      UCSF is a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of the world’s top cancer centers. The network brings together leaders in treatment and research to improve the quality, effectiveness and efficiency of cancer care.

      Learn more

    Recommended reading

    FAQ: Radiation Oncology

    Find answers to common questions about radiation oncology treatment, including what forms to complete and what to expect at your first appointment.

    Support services

    Support Group

    Art for Recovery

    Creativity can help people with serious illnesses cope, heal and express what they're going through. Find out about our program and how to join.

    Fitness

    Cancer Exercise Counseling

    Our one-on-one exercise training sessions, customized for your needs and abilities, can complement other cancer treatments and speed your recovery.

    Patient Resource

    Cancer Nutrition Counseling

    UCSF Health offers free nutrition counseling to our patients with cancer, as well as nutrition seminars that are open to anyone. Learn more.

    Support Group

    Cancer Support Groups

    These groups offered by the Ida and Joseph Friend Patient and Family Cancer Support Center are free and available to all patients, whether or not you get your health care at UCSF.

    Fitness

    Core & More Class for Cancer Patients

    A strong body helps you fight cancer and enjoy life. Join this class to stabilize your core, strengthen your muscles and improve overall fitness. For cancer patients and caregivers!

    Patient Resource

    Friend to Friend Specialty Shops

    A one-stop boutique for patients with cancer. Get professional help with wigs, prostheses, sun-protective clothing, makeup, skin care and more.

    Patient Resource

    Kôz Hospitality House

    Kôz Hospitality House provides comfortable, reasonably priced accommodations near our Parnassus campus for UCSF patients during their treatment.

    Class

    Meditation & Guided Imagery for Cancer Patients

    Drop in for a free class designed to help you heal, relax and find balance during your treatment. UCSF and non-UCSF patients are welcome.

    Patient Resource

    Oncology Social Work

    Social workers offer support, problem-solving, help accessing UCSF cancer-related resources and more. Find out how to contact the social worker for your clinic.

    Patient Resource

    Patient & Family Cancer Support Center

    The center offers wellness programming, community, support groups, classes, workshops and more at no cost to people facing cancer and their loved ones.

    Support Group

    Peer Support Programs for Cancer

    Patients are matched with peer support volunteers according to criteria such as diagnosis, cancer stage, age or gender. Speak to someone who's "been there."

    Preparing for your appointment

    What to Bring

    • Medical records (must be received two weeks prior to appointment)
    • List of current medications, dosages and prescribing doctors
    • List of any other doctors involved in your care

    International Services

    If you live outside the United States and are coming to UCSF for medical treatment, our patient liaisons can help coordinate all aspects of your visit.

    Learn more

    Interpreting Services

    UCSF offers interpreters in various languages, including American Sign Language (ASL), as well as services for deaf, hard-of-hearing and visually impaired patients.

    Learn more

    Hospital Stays

    Make your hospital stay as smooth and comfortable as possible by finding out how to prepare and what to expect.

    Learn more

    Your Doctor Visit

    See our top 10 tips for making your UCSF doctor’s appointment as stress-free and productive as possible.

    Learn more

    Guides and forms

    Related clinics

    Cancer Survivorship and Wellness Institute

    Bakar Precision Cancer Medicine Building

    See both of our San Francisco locations.

    (415) 514-2880

    Psycho-Oncology

    Bakar Precision Cancer Medicine Building

    1825 Fourth St.
    San Francisco, CA 94158

    (415) 353-7019

    Our research initiatives

    • UCSF-Helen-Diller-Family-Comprehensive-Cancer-Center-Research-2x

      UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center Research

      UCSF is home to a range of research initiatives aimed at improving outcomes for cancer patients everywhere. This includes research on topics such as immunotherapy, BRCA mutations and molecular diagnostic testing.

      Learn more

    Do you need pediatric care?

    UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals
    UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals

    Can't find what you're looking for?

    UCSF Help Center

    (888) 689-8273
    [email protected]

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