About Us > Neil K. Taunk MD, MSCTS

Neil K. Taunk MD, MSCTS

Highlights

  • Radiation oncologist at the University of Pennsylvania
  • Works to improve outcomes in breast radiation
  • Interested in advanced imaging techniques for breast cancer detection and monitoring
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Neil K. Taunk, MD, MSCTS, is an assistant professor of radiation oncology at the Perelman School of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania. He trained at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, and completed medical school at Rutgers University Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

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He specializes in treating people with breast, gynecologic, and prostate cancers. His research interests include improving outcomes of women receiving breast radiation therapy, and using advanced imaging to improve cancer detection and monitoring.

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Beyond the headlines: USPSTF screening guidelines, disparities, and mental health

05/17/23 | BY: Janine E. Guglielmino

Our May column focuses on the new USPSTF mammography screening guidelines, breast density, pregnancy, effective radiation therapy, and mental health.

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 | 8 Min. Read |

Beyond the headlines: February 2023

02/22/23 | BY: Janine E. Guglielmino

This month we discuss diversity in clinical trials, an FDA approval of elacestrant, heart health and chemobrain side effects, and more.

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 | 8 Min. Read

Intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) breast cancer treatment

01/14/22 | BY: Neil K. Taunk

Intraoperative radiation therapy, or IORT, is a type of radiation therapy given during lumpectomy surgery to remove only the breast cancer tumor. While the lumpectomy incision is still open, doctors use a special device to deliver one large dose of radiation directly to the tumor site (the “tumor bed”) to treat any cancer cells that may remain after the tumor is removed.

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 | 8 Min. Read

Breast radiation side effects

01/10/22 | BY: Neil K. Taunk

Radiation therapy, also called radiotherapy, is a very effective treatment for lowering the risk of recurrence in early-stage breast cancer and for managing pain or complications of metastatic breast cancer. While radiation destroys cancer cells, it also damages healthy cells near the area being treated, and so there can be uncomfortable side effects.

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 | 14 Min. Read |

Deep inspiration breath hold (DIBH) during radiation therapy

12/08/21 | BY: Neil K. Taunk

To protect the heart during left-breast radiation therapy, doctors use a technique called deep inspiration breath hold (DIBH). This breath-holding technique can minimize radiation exposure to the heart.

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 | 9 Min. Read |

Radiation therapy for breast cancer

07/14/21 | BY: Neil K. Taunk

Radiation therapy, also known as radiotherapy, directs high-energy x-rays to a specific part of the body to kill cancer cells. Radiation and other treatments focused on a certain part of the body are often called local therapy because they are “local” to one part of the body.

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 | 14 Min. Read

Radiation schedules for breast cancer treatment

07/14/21 | BY: Neil K. Taunk

Radiation treatments are usually given in a series of short daily doses designed to kill cancer cells in the breast tissue. The type of radiation therapy, the dosage, and the number of days or weeks you’ll be treated during your radiation schedule depends on the characteristics of the cancer.

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 | 14 Min. Read |