Roy H. Decker M.D.

Bio

Roy H. Decker, M.D., developed a groundbreaking form of radiation therapy for Yale's Cancer Center, where he is a practitioner and a professor. More than 100 patients a year obtain this non-invasive treatment, known as stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT).

SBRT allows patients to experience fewer side effects from radiation treatment. This procedure delivers the radiation in very precise doses and reduces the number of healthy cells that are subjected to the rays.

"Advantages lie in potentially reduced errors," Decker said about the approach Yale has adopted for all who receive SBRT at the center.

Decker's clinical practice, which specializes in patients with head, neck, lung and prostate cancers, typically takes a multimodal approach, combining novel targeted agents and radiation therapy such as SBRT. His practice also incorporates cutting-edge procedures such as image-guided radiation therapy and brachytherapy.

Decker joined the team at Yale's Smilow Cancer Center in 2008 after completing a radiation oncology residency at Yale-New Haven Hospital and becoming board certified in therapeutic radiology. He is a member of Yale's Thoracic Oncology Program and serves as the assistant professor of Therapeutic Radiology and Surgery at the university.

Decker also has written for a number of original research publications including the American Journal of Clinical Oncology and the Journal of Gastrointestinal Cancer. He was awarded one of eight Young Oncologist Travel Grants to conduct more extensive research on nodal metastasis in salivary gland cancer.

Publications

Decker has served on a number of panels to assemble manuscripts related to lung cancer, radiation therapy, adjuvant radiation and metastasis of cancer. His articles have appeared in journals such as International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology and Physics and Radiotherapy Oncology.