Your Consultation
A consultation with your radiation oncologist will take place during your first visit. The following factors will be used to help your doctor recommend the type of radiation treatment that is best for you:
- Type of tumor
- Stage of cancer
- Location of tumor or cancer
- Other treatments you are receiving
- Your overall health, including medical history, other medical conditions, and age
Your doctor will review your medical records, perform a physical exam, discuss your treatment options, and explain the potential risks and benefits of radiation therapy. You may need to undergo additional testing, which we can coordinate with other members of your medical team.
Planning Your Treatment
As part of planning your radiation therapy, you will be fitted with a customized immobilization device. This may happen at your first visit or at a follow-up visit. You will have a CT scan in the immobilization device and may be given oral and/or IV contrast material. You may be asked to hold your breath for short periods of time during the scan.
Simulation Session
Depending on where you receive your care, you may participate in a practice session with a device called a linear accelerator. It delivers high-energy radiation beams that damage and ultimately destroy cancer cells. During the simulation session, the linear accelerator goes through the motions of treatment and takes pictures to make sure your body is correctly positioned.
Developing Your Treatment Plan
The radiation oncologist will use the results of your physical exam and your CT scans to develop a customized treatment plan. You will be scheduled to return to begin treatments, usually in one to two weeks. This depends on the complexity of your radiation plan.
Treatment Sessions
An actual treatment session on the linear accelerator is similar to receiving a CT scan. It is a non-invasive process; you cannot feel the radiation being delivered. In most cases, the sessions are scheduled as a series of daily treatments, Monday through Friday.