Biography
Rajnikant H. Mehta, M.D., is a radiation oncologist and is a member of the comprehensive cancer care team at MyMichigan Health. This team includes medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, specialized surgeons, interventional radiologists, as well as breast and lung health navigators. He has been in practice at MyMichigan since 1980.
As a radiation oncologist, Dr. Mehta treats patients using MyMichigan’s advanced radiotherapy technologies. These include the Gamma Knife® Perfexion®, the Varian® Truebeam® linear accelerator with RapidArc® advanced treatment-planning software, and others.
“With improvements in technology, cancer is defined better than ever and diagnosed earlier than ever,” said Dr. Mehta. “Better definition allows treatments to be more specific, and earlier diagnosis means they take place sooner, which all leads to more positive outcomes. Improvements in the precision and targeting of the therapies in both radiation and chemotherapy, as well as in surgery, has also helped improve patient outcomes.” Dr. Mehta added that advances in immunotherapy and targeted gene therapy have also helped improve patient outcomes. Genetic therapy, which has advanced in the last decade, will make further dramatic progress in the next 10 to 20 years.
Philosophy of Care
“I believe in patient-oriented compassionate care using tools of modern medicine and including the patient and their family in the decision making process,” said Dr. Mehta. “This patient-oriented team approach also includes the patient’s primary care provider, nurses, surgeon, medical oncologist and radiation oncologist. My vision is focused on each patient individually and takes into consideration their disease process; other medical issues and their overall health. Their treatment plan also takes into consideration comfort and quality of life.”
Dr. Mehta grew up in a simple, middle-class family in India. He has been married to his wife Jyoti since 1975 and together they have three beautiful children and seven grandchildren. In his spare time he enjoys golfing and playing tennis, watching sports and movies, travel, reading and, most importantly, spending time with friends and family.
Special Interests and Procedures
- Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery
- Electronic brachytherapy (EBT)
- Image guided radiation therapy (IMRT)
- Surface guided radiation therapy (SGRT)
- Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT)
- 4D motion management CT simulation
Philosophy
"When I can give hope to my cancer patients, I feel great. When my patients tell me that they are feeling a lot better, and when I can tell them that their cancer is in remission, I feel fulfillment of my obligation to them."
