Radiation oncology (urogenital any gynaecology) helps to identify, diagnose and treat urological complications in connection with gynaecology. It kills cancer cells and plays an important role in the diagnosis and management of gynaecological malignancies. In developing countries like India, due to lack of awareness, cancer gets diagnosed at a late stage. The severity of the stage leaves us with radiation as the common modality of therapy, for around 90% of women with carcinoma cervix, 60% of patients with the endometrial cervix and approximately 49% with carcinoma vulva. Radiation oncologists make use of highly advanced techniques to deliver the optimum amount of radiation, without damaging the surrounding tissues. The maximum dose to the source and minimal invasion to other tissues is the idea behind radiotherapy. Radiation therapy can be given as primary radiotherapy, adjuvant radiotherapy, neoadjuvant radiotherapy, and palliative radiotherapy. Radiation treatment regimens include both internal and external radiation techniques. Internal radiation is given using the technique brachytherapy. External radiation requires the use of a linear accelerator. These therapies come with side effects like reaction in the pelvic area, enlargement of haemorrhoids, increased vagina irritation, and others. Thus, it becomes vital for students to gain expertise in radiation oncology.

DM in urogenital and radiation therapy is designed to help healthcare specialists alleviate the life-threatening cancer cells and to delay their progression. It is a thoroughly guided and supervised course. This requires the expertise of students in concepts like general principles of oncology, clinical radiobiology, radiation physics, pathology and radiation pathology, cancerous tissue biotherapeutics, genital malignancies cancer screening, epidemiology of genital malignancies, the pathogenesis of cancer, clinical radiotherapy and others. The structure of the course is to provide both the knowledge of didactic lectures and the experience of practical projects. The training program will focus on frequently performed complex therapeutic procedures. These include JIPMER radiotherapy protocol; advanced imaging techniques like use of radio-opaque markers, MRI, IGRT, PET; RT for carcinoma cervix; brachytherapy treatment for example low dose brachytherapy and high dose brachytherapy; hysterectomy; EBRT for endometrial cancer, SBRT, proton therapy and many other scientific techniques. Thus the mode of teaching enables the students to get the essential mastery in understanding the basic principles and diagnosis as well as management of medical emergencies, along with administration of recurrent carcinoma cancer-causing factors using highly advanced techniques and medical tests. The curriculum also ensures the participation of students in treatment planning sessions, logbook clinical audit, seminars, journal clubs, case conferences, viva, grand round presentations and practical exposure of first-hand knowledge and theories of teachings.  It is expected that during the course the students will gain expertise in many aspects of radiation oncology and will be able to cater to the needs of the patient in alliance with the various national health policies like the national cancer control programme and also in compliance with professional ethical methods. Overall, the program develops the students for a highly qualified job through both intensive didactic lectures and clinical activity in all parts of radiation oncology.

The course can be taken by the candidates who have completed MD or DNB in Medicine, MD or DNB in Paediatrics, MD or DNB in Radiotherapy or MD or DNB in gynaecology from a recognised university. The course can take 2 years to get completed. A career in this field is very promising as one can seek employment in sectors like government hospitals, private clinics, research centres, laboratories, medical universities and many more. The job roles offered are consultant, oncologist, professor, radiation oncologist, Gynaecological oncologist, researcher, and many others depending upon the interest of the student, he/she can even apply for higher studies.