Radiation Oncology

Your initial encounter in radiation oncology will consist of a consultation appointment with a Radiation Oncologist. This appointment, normally lasting between 1 and 2 hours, will consist of an extensive review of all the diagnostic studies and results as well as other medical documentation submitted to our office. Your physician and nurses will perform a thorough physical examination and complete a comprehensive medical history. Based on this initial visit, the physician will develop a personalized patient care plan.

Your personalized care plan may prompt additional testing prior to radiation treatment. Your Radiation Oncologist must have the most recent, comprehensive data available to perform an accurate simulation.

Simulation is the initial planning step toward radiation treatment. Your simulation may occur on a conventional simulator or a CT simulator. You will be asked to disrobe according to which body part is involved. You may be asked to consume oral contrast or drink water prior to the simulation, which will enhance the x-ray or CT pictures. You will be asked to lie on a flat simulator table while the Radiation Therapist creates immobilization devices. These devices will help you to lie still in the same position during your daily radiation treatment. Rest assured, everything possible will be done to maintain patient comfort while optimizing positioning in preparation for treatment.

On a conventional simulator, a series of x-rays are taken to reproduce a 3D replication of the tumor area. The simulation will be immediately followed by a CT in the diagnostic department of the nearby hospital or health center. If your simulation occurs on a CT simulator, a CT of the affected area will be performed. The entire simulation procedure should take approximately 1 hour; however, it may take longer depending on the number of views required to reproduce the tumor volume as accurately as possible.

Your Radiation Oncologist may request you receive a PET scan or MRI prior to beginning treatment. These additional tests may be necessary to provide the physician will the most accurate depiction of your cancer.

You will receive skin marks or tattoos during the simulation process. Tattoos are small pin pricks of ink placed beneath the skin, smaller than a freckle. These marks and/or tattoos will help the Radiation Therapist reproduce the treatment area for your daily treatments. Your therapist will explain how to take care of these marks.

You may receive special instructions during the consultation and simulation process related to diet, skin care, bathing and oral hygiene, or other activity restrictions. It is imperative you following all instructions as closely as possible for the best possible outcome. Please ask as many questions as you like until you are clear on any special instructions.

After you have met with the Radiation Oncologist, he or she will write a prescription for the amount of radiation dose to the tumor.  Medical Dosimetrists use the images from simulation along with sophisticated treatment planning programs, to prepare a detailed treatment plan.  The treatment plan specifies the exact dose to be delivered to the tumor, as well as how the technology can best deliver that dose, given the three-dimensional geometry of the target and surrounding tissues. The dosimetrist takes into account the dose limiting normal tissues and protects them as well as irradiating the actual tumor.  The medical dosimetrist must maintain a balance between delivering the prescription the doctor has written while ensuring that the patient does not lose any healthy organ function.  This treatment plan is then transferred to the radiation therapist for delivery by the treatment machine.

You will be given an appointment to come back to start the radiation treatments. The actual treatment is painless and lasts just a few minutes per day. You will be asked to reproduce the treatment position exactly every day. Your Radiation Therapists will help with positioning as well as deliver the treatments. It is very important to lie as still as possible and let your therapists do all the work. The therapists will use imaging techniques to confirm the exact tumor position before treatment begins.  Because of the imaging, your initial appointment will take approximately ½ hour; however, your daily appointments should last only about 15 minutes.

All of the equipment and documentation is carefully monitored and continuously reviewed through our Quality Management Programs by all members of your treatment team. Central Care Cancer Center believes in providing quality treatment, provided by top quality personnel delivered in a safe environment.

The actual radiation therapy dose cannot be delivered all in one dose because of the affects to normal surrounding tissues. Small daily doses are delivered over a period of several weeks, Monday through Friday, to deliver a larger cumulative dose lethal to cancer cells. The total number of treatments can vary greatly depending on the location of your cancer, the type of cancer, the reason for your treatment, your overall health, and any other treatments you may be receiving.

Radiation therapy is one of the most common treatments for cancer and may be combined with other treatments, such as hormones, chemotherapy, and surgery.  Radiation therapy uses high energy particles or waves, such as x-rays or electrons, to destroy or damage cancer cells. Healthy cells are affected as well, but unlike cancer cells, healthy cells have the ability to repair the damage and regenerate. Radiation therapy only affects the body area being treated, so many of the side effects rumored to be caused by radiation are untrue. You will not 'glow', you will not spread radiation to others, and you will only lose your hair if there is hair in the treatment area. The most common side effects from radiation treatment are fatigue and skin changes, and many patients do not experience any side effects at all. Most side effects do not occur until the third week of treatment and most can be effectively managed by changes in diet, behavior, or medications. It is important that you discuss side effects with your physician, nurses, and therapists, so you do not suffer unnecessarily.

You will meet with the physician and nurses at least once a week during treatment. Your vital signs will be monitored and we may draw blood. It is important we catch side effects early, so feel free to discuss anything you feel your physician should be aware of. The earlier we are aware of potential side effects, the better they will be managed. This time is allocated to taking care of you, so please ask any questions you may have during this visit.

Following the completion of your course of treatment, the Radiation Oncologist will request to see you back for follow up care. Your schedule for follow up may vary based on the needs specific to your situation. Please follow any instructions carefully and remember, we are here for you. You may call, write, or email us directly for help with your treatment, side effects, billing questions, or any other concerns.

Your Radiation Therapy Questions Answered

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