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Steps in the Radiation Treatment Process | · Make an appointment with MRO for a consultation · Consultation with your radiation oncologist and radiation therapy nurse (1 1/2 to 2 hours) · Simulation—may be scheduled the same day as your consultation (1 hour) · Radiation therapy (5 to 8 weeks, each session lasting 15-30 minutes)
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| The Consultation | Once referred to MRO by your physician, your first step is to make an appointment for a consultation. This is when you meet with a radiation oncologist to determine if radiation therapy is right for you. A radiation oncologist is a physician who has special training in using radiation to treat diseases. The consultation lasts 1 1/2 to 2 hours. This gives the radiation oncologist time to review your records and examine you. You and your doctor will then discuss possible treatment options, along with the risks and benefits of radiation therapy. At the consultation, you will also meet with a radiation therapy nurse. She will go over the treatment process with you, including how treatments are scheduled, side effects, and self-care during and after treatment. This is a good time to ask any questions you might have about radiation therapy.
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| The Simulation | After you and your physician have decided a course of radiation therapy can benefit you, your next step will be to make an appointment for a simulation. (You may decide to schedule the consultation and simulation for the same day.) Simulation lasts 1 hour. There are no food or drink restrictions prior to simulation. At the simulation, you will be scanned by a special planning x-ray machine. This x-ray allows us to pinpoint the location of the treatment area on your body. An immobilization device, such as a face mask or vac-lok may be formed at this time to ensure you are in the same position daily for your treatment. Tattoos and ink markings will also be applied on your skin. These markings assist the radiation therapist to target your treatment area at each treatment session. Therefore, you will want to keep the marks on throughout the entire 4-8 week process. Additionally, a CT scan or MRI may be done to further outline the treatment area. The information obtained from the simulation along with the CT scan/MRI, will be used by the dosimetrist and physician to plan your radiation treatment. Once the treatment plan is completed, you will return to the Center to have the treatment plan verified. This may be done on the Simulator or actual treatment machine. Following the simulation appointment, you will be scheduled for radiation treatments. Therapy is given daily Monday through Friday and lasts an average of 4 to 8 weeks. The number of treatments varies person to person, and will be determined as part of your treatment planning. Each treatment takes between 15 and 30 minutes.
back to top | What is radiation therapy? | Radiation Therapy is a clinical specialty which utilizes very high energy X-rays, gamma rays, electron beams, or other ionizing radiation to manage and treat many types of cancer malignancies (and occasionally some non-malignant conditions). Radiation can be administered externally or internally. You and your doctor will discuss which type works best for you. Radiation works by "ionizing" or breaking apart atoms that make up the cell walls and other parts of cells in your treatment area. Cells exposed to radiation are unable to reproduce, but healthy cells recover more quickly than malignant cells. The trick of radiation therapy is to give enough radiation to compromise the cancer cells, while leaving enough healthy cells to repopulate and heal the exposed area.
back to top | What are the radiation treatments like? | Radiation is prescribed the same way any kind of medicine is. It varies for each person. At the consultation, you and your radiation oncologist will determine what dose of radiation will benefit you most, and then decide on a treatment plan. Many times people receiving radiation therapy will come to the Radiation Therapy Center daily, Monday through Friday, for 15 to 30 minute treatments. This may last anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks depending on your treatment plan. Treatments do not hurt, but you will be required to lie very still and in the same position every time. This is so your radiation therapist can accurately pinpoint your treatment area each time you come in. Because of the nature of the high energy X-rays produced by the linear accelerator, the therapist must leave the room while your treatment is actually being given. Be assured you are monitored the whole time by audio and visual devices.
back to top | How do I know if I need radiation?
| While radiation therapy by itself is a definitive course of treatment for some diseases, sometimes it is best used in concert with chemotherapy and/or surgery. Your primary physician should discuss these options with you. At MRO, you will meet with one of MRO's radiation oncologists to determine how radiation therapy can benefit you. During the consultation, your radiation oncologist will assemble all the necessary elements of your case so the best decisions can be made regarding your care. If radiation becomes part of your treatment plan, your next step will be to schedule a simulation appointment.
back to top | Who else is involved with my care at MRO?
| Weekly, you will meet with your radiation oncologist. Besides your oncologist, you will also work with your radiation oncology nurses, whose job it is to coordinate your care with the oncologist. The nurses will also assist you with your day-to-day concerns and medications, and with referrals to other sources to meet your needs. Over the 4-8 week treatment period, your radiation therapist will become a daily point of contact. Your radiation therapist is specially trained to use the data and marks/tattoos (from your simulation) to position you on the treatment table for optimal targeting of your treatment area during radiation therapy.
In addition, we have many people available to help you with your questions on billing, transportation, nutrition, and social concerns. If we cannot answer your question, we will direct you to someone who can.
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| What happens when my treatments are over?
| Not all patients experience side effects from radiation therapy. However, your radiation oncologist will carefully go over what you might expect and how to deal with any problems should they arise. Some side effects become apparent during the course of treatment. Others, because of the cumulative nature of radiation, may not appear until after treatments have finished. Patients do not become radioactive as a result of external radiation therapy. After the completion of therapy, you will be scheduled for follow-up visits at the clinic, frequently at first and then yearly after that, depending on your needs. Additional diagnostic tests may be prescribed to evaluate your therapy's effectiveness.
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