WVU Health System is proud to introduce Greeshma Rajeev-Kumar, MD, a board-certified radiation oncologist who recently joined the staff at the WVU Cancer Institute at Wheeling Hospital. Dr. Kumar is a Yale graduate with a medical degree from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai. She completed her residency in radiation oncology at the University of Chicago, where she also earned a Master of Science degree in public health.

With her extensive experience in cutting- edge cancer treatment and clinical research, WVU Medicine is excited to welcome Dr. Kumar, whose expertise will help patients fight cancer with advanced medical technology.

To learn more about radiation oncology and how it is used to fight cancer, we talked with Dr. Kumar.

Dr. Kumar’s life was affected by cancer at a young age–first when her grandfather lost his battle with oral cancer in India, and later when her father was diagnosed with colon cancer the summer before she started medical school. She first learned about radiation through their experiences, and during medical school, she had the opportunity to shadow a radiation oncologist, which cemented her interest in the specialty.

Radiation oncology is a medical specialty that uses high-energy radiation to treat cancer. It can be used alone or in combination with other cancer treatments. Dr. Kumar describes radiation oncology as a “pseudosurgery”:

“When I say ‘pseudosurgery,’ I mean that we think more anatomically like a surgeon when we are planning treatment,” says Dr. Kumar. “The goal is to aim the radiation beam at the tumor without hurting nearby organs, so we have to understand anatomy quite well.”

“We actually draw out the tumor and the nearby normal structures on a CT scan and work with physicists and dosimetrists to develop beam arrangements that can achieve our desired plan–delivering a high radiation dose to the tumor without exceeding normal organ constraints. The computer software that we use to do this is kind of like our ‘operating room.'”

Over the years, medical advancements have made radiation oncology safer and more effective. Dr. Kumar explains that the WVU Cancer Institute has always kept up with the latest in treatments and technology.

Most recently, she has become an advocate for stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) and hopes to bring it to patients at Wheeling Hospital.

“Unlike what its name might suggest, it is not whole-body radiation, but targeted ablative radiation treatment that delivers high doses in five or fewer treatments. SBRT has been utilized for a long time in early-stage lung cancer but has advanced tremendously since its first use. The technology has improved with the utilization of image-guidance and motion management,” she explains.

SBRT is now used for the treatment of other cancers, including prostate, liver, kidney, spine, and even some metastatic cancers.

A major benefit of radiation oncology is that oncologists can create tailored treatment programs for each patient.

“Personalization occurs at the level of planning, deciding on target volume and dosing, while respecting individual patient goals, whether it be for cure or palliation of symptoms. This level of customization is important because every cancer behaves differently,” says Dr. Kumar.

New technology and advancements in radiation oncology have led to improvements in both effectiveness and safety. Treatments have become more precise, allowing higher doses to be delivered to tumors while minimizing exposure to healthy tissue.

“Our goal is for patients not only to live longer, but also to maintain a good quality of life during and after treatment,” says Dr. Kumar.

Dr. Kumar is excited to be working with a comprehensive team of medical oncologists, surgical oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, and supportive care specialists to provide the most advanced cancer care in the region. She also looks forward to building a life in the Wheeling area and is honored to care for cancer patients in her new community.

“We provide comprehensive care that not only treats the cancer effectively but also supports the patient’s overall health and quality of life.”

Her arrival marks a new chapter of advanced, compassionate cancer care for patients in the Ohio Valley.

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