Radiation Therapy

Cancer Information

In radiation therapy, high-energy x-rays are used to treat cancer, either by destroying the cancer cells or by making them unable to grow and divide.

In external radiation therapy, a machine called a linear accelerator is used to produce a beam of rays that is directed to the tumor or the part of your body that is being treated.

A team of skilled doctors, nurses, physicists, dosimetrists, and therapists plans and provides treatment designed especially for you. A dietitian and a social worker are also available. This team of health professionals is here to help you as you receive radiation therapy.

At your first visit

When you come to the Radiation Oncology Department for your first appointment, you will meet your nurse and doctor. They will review your records and x-rays, examine you, and explain why radiation treatments are recommended. Expect to spend about two hours during your first visit. Be sure to bring or have your referring doctor send us the following information:

medical records
laboratory reports
x-ray films and reports
scan (CT, MRI, bone) films and reports
pathology report and slides.

Having these reports sent to us before your appointment will help the doctor in planning your care. It is also important to bring your insurance information. Financial counselors and billing staff will be available to answer any questions you might have about insurance coverage.

Your radiation therapy will continue Monday through Friday for the number of treatments your doctor has prescribed. You will have the same appointment time each day and every effort will be made to start your treatment at the scheduled time. However, there are occasional delays due to emergency patients, technical problems, and other difficulties, and the schedule may need to be altered.

You will see your doctor and nurse at least once a week while you are undergoing treatment. If you are having any problems, let us know when you come in for your treatment or call the department and your nurse will meet with you.

Patients often ask if radiation therapy treatments can make them radioactive. We want to assure you that radiation therapy treatments do not pose this risk and that you should continue your normal activities with your family and friends.

Simulation may take up to an hour. Afterward, you will make an appointment for your daily treatment time. While at home, do not use soap or lotion on the marks, unless you have the permanent dots. You may rinse your skin with water, if necessary, and pat it dry without removing the temporary marks. Your nurse will review skin care instructions.

Before you begin treatment, you will need to sign a consent form. This form lists possible side effects from radiation treatments and gives us your permission to treat you. If you and your doctor decide to start radiation therapy, the next steps are simulation and treatment planning.

About simulation

The simulation is the first step in planning for your actual radiation treatment. Using an x-ray machine called a "simulator," the therapist follows your doctor's instructions to "set up" your treatment. During the simulation, the therapist takes x-rays of the part of your body to be treated. These x-rays give the therapist a picture of the area to be treated and help to determine how the radiation will be directed to your body.

Using the x-rays as a guide to the treatment site, the therapist uses a marker to outline the treatment area on your skin. These marks are very important. They act as a map of the treatment area, and the therapist uses them each day as a guide during your treatment. Sometimes, after a few treatments, tiny permanent dots called tattoos can be used to replace the painted marks on your skin. Instant photos of these marks are taken to help the therapist determine the location of the treatment site.

About your external radiation treatments

The radiation treatments should only take about 15 minutes from the time you enter the treatment room. Your therapist will set up your treatment according to the marks on your skin and the directions from the simulation. This set-up takes a few minutes. You must lie still and allow your therapists to position you for treatment. They need to make sure that all measurements are the same as they were in the planning stage. Your actual treatment will last about one minute for each area. Your therapist will take x-ray films with the treatment machine on the first day and again after every five or six treatments. Your doctor will compare these x-rays to the x-rays from your simulation.

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