To prevent accidental movement and prevent irradiation to healthy tissue, some patients may be fitted with a thermoplastic mask to wear during the course of their treatment - up to 5 times a week for up to 40 minutes over a course as long as 8 weeks. For many patients, the mask can be a difficult experience.
Full Answer
Do I need a radiation mask for radiation treatment?
If your doctor has recommended radiation treatment (or radiotherapy) for cancer of the head, neck or brain, you will likely need a custom-made radiation mask to wear during your treatments.
What will I wear during my radiation therapy session?
If your radiation therapy will be delivered to your head or neck, you may be fitted with a thermoplastic mask to wear during your simulation and treatment sessions. Constructed of mesh and designed to be secured to a treatment table, this mask will be custom-made to precisely fit your face.
How does a radiation mask work?
As you lie on your back, your radiation mask will gently hold your head in place and help you remain in the correct position to ensure the accurate delivery of your treatment. A member of your treatment team will create your radiation mask.
Why do radiotherapists Put Your Name on the mask?
Voiceover: They use the marks on the mask to line up the machine each time you have treatment. The mask keeps you head still and makes sure that your treatment is directed at the cancer. They put your name on the mask and keep it in the radiotherapy department ready for your treatment.
What does radiation mask do?
For most types of radiotherapy to your brain, head or neck area, you wear a mask during each treatment. This is sometimes also called a mould, head shell or cast. The mask is made to hold your head and neck still and in exactly the right position. This helps make your treatment as accurate and effective as possible.
What kind of mask do you need for radiation?
Radiation therapy thermoplastic mask used for daily treatment. If your treatment plan includes radiation therapy to your head, neck, or brain then you will most likely have to get a thermoplastic mask made for treatment. The mask will be made at the time of the simulation. It will be worn every day for treatment.
How do radiation therapists protect themselves from radiation?
Plus, they wear aprons, gloves and glasses that reduce or block their radiation exposure. In the rooms where they work, there are barriers made of lead of lead equivalents to shield gamma rays and X-rays. The more the distance between a human and the source of the radiation, the better.
How long is radiation mask?
They use the marks to accurately line up the radiotherapy machine for each treatment. It is important that you are in exactly the same position each time. It takes between 10 to 45 minutes to make a mask or mould.
What can you not do during radiation treatment?
Avoid raw vegetables and fruits, and other hard, dry foods such as chips or pretzels. It's also best to avoid salty, spicy or acidic foods if you are experiencing these symptoms. Your care team can recommend nutrient-based oral care solutions if you are experiencing mucositis or mouth sores caused by cancer treatment.
What do you wear during radiation?
Wear loose, soft, cotton clothing over the area being treated. Avoid stiff or starched clothing near the area being treated. Do not put anything but mild soap (such as Dove) and lukewarm water on the skin in the treated area, unless the doctor or nurse says that it is safe to do so.
How long is a person radioactive after radiation therapy?
Radioembolization. During radioembolization, the radiation source stays near the tumor. The radiation travels a very short distance, so the effects are mostly to the tumor. However, you may have to limit contact with other people for up to one week after treatment.
How long does radiation stay in your body after treatment?
For most people, the cancer experience doesn't end on the last day of radiation therapy. Radiation therapy usually does not have an immediate effect, and it could take days, weeks or months to see any change in the cancer. The cancer cells may keep dying for weeks or months after the end of treatment.
How many times can you do radiation therapy?
Most patients get radiation treatments daily, 5 days a week (Monday through Friday) for 5 to 8 weeks. Weekend rest breaks allow time for normal cells to recover.
Why do they strap you down for radiation?
Depending on your treatment area, you may be asked to grab special straps that push your shoulders down during the imaging scans. This is to make sure your shoulders are out of the area of the scan.
Can you feel radiation treatment?
You may need anesthesia to block the awareness of pain while the radioactive sources are placed in the body. Most people feel little to no discomfort during this treatment. But some may experience weakness or nausea from the anesthesia. You will need to take precautions to protect others from radiation exposure.
Do you lose your hair with radiation?
Radiation therapy can also cause hair loss on the part of the body that is being treated. Hair loss is called alopecia. Talk with your health care team to learn if the cancer treatment you will be receiving causes hair loss.
What type of mask do you wear for radiation?
If your radiation therapy will be delivered to your head or neck, you may be fitted with a thermoplastic mask to wear during your simulation and treatment sessions. Constructed of mesh and designed to be secured to a treatment table, this mask will be custom-made to precisely fit your face.
How to see and breathe while wearing a radiation mask?
While you lie on a simulation table, a therapist will carefully place a warm, wet plastic mesh film over your face and neck and shape it around your head. The mesh will have openings for your eyes and nose, and you will be able to see and breathe normally while being fitted for and wearing your radiation mask.
How long does it take for a radiation mask to harden?
In approximately 15 minutes, your soft and pliable radiation mask will gradually cool and harden. If you experience any discomfort, pressure, claustrophobia or anxiety at any time, you should let your therapist know right away. He or she can help you find a comfortable and reproducible position for your treatments.
Why do you use a bite block during radiation?
You will then use your bite block during each treatment to help limit any movements caused by swallowing. Prior to radiation therapy, some patients find it helpful to learn and practice some relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, that they can then use during their treatment sessions.
How to make an appointment at Moffitt Cancer Center?
If you’d like to learn more about radiation therapy at Moffitt Cancer Center or take advantage of our supportive care services, you can request an appointment by calling 1-888-663-3488 or completing our new patient registration form online. No referrals are required.
Where do they make masks for radiotherapy?
Making a radiotherapy mask. A mould technician or radiographer makes the mask in the mould room of the radiotherapy department or during your CT planning scan. The process of making a mask can vary slightly between hospitals.
How long does it take to make a mesh mask for radiotherapy?
Voiceover : Making a mesh mask for radiotherapy takes a few minutes.
Why do you put plastic mesh on your face?
Your technician puts the plastic mesh on to your face so that it moulds to fit your face exactly. It feels a little like having a warm flannel put onto your face. You can still breathe easily, as the plastic has lots of holes in it. After a few minutes the plastic mesh becomes hard. Your technician takes the mask off.
What is a voiceover mask?
Voiceover : They use the marks on the mask to line up the machine each time you have treatment. The mask keeps you head still and makes sure that your treatment is directed at the cancer. They put your name on the mask and keep it in the radiotherapy department ready for your treatment.
How long does it take for a radiographer to dry a mask?
When the radiographer puts the mask on to your face it will feel warm and damp. They then clip it to the bed that you are lying on. It takes a minute or two to dry into the shape of your face. The radiographers will mark the mask where the light lines are.
What is a shell for radiotherapy?
They can also be called shells. They keep the treatment area of your body still each time you have your radiotherapy. So your treatment is as accurate as possible. You might need a mask for radiotherapy of your head and neck. Or a mould for your arm or leg, or more rarely for your breast.
How long does it take to make a mask?
It is important that you are in exactly the same position each time. It takes between 10 to 45 minutes to make a mask or mould.
How to make a radiation mask?
To make the mask, your radiation therapists will place a warm, wet sheet of plastic mesh over your face and upper body while you’re lying on the simulation table. The mesh has openings for your eyes, nose, and mouth.
How does radiation therapy work?
Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams to treat cancer. It works by damaging the cancer cells and making it hard for them to reproduce. Your body is then naturally able to get rid of the damaged cancer cells. Radiation therapy also affects normal cells.
What is the role of radiation oncologist in simulation?
During the time between your simulation and your set-up procedure, your radiation oncologist will work with a team to plan your treatment. They will use the images taken during your simulation to plan the angles and shapes of your radiation beams. They will also determine the dose of radiation that you will receive.
How to keep from swallowing during radiation?
Depending on your treatment area, you may also use a bite block during your simulation and treatments. The bite block will help you keep from swallowing. To make the bite block, your radiation therapists will place a soft piece of plastic on your tongue and ask you to bite down while it hardens.
What is the procedure called before radiation therapy?
Before you start radiation therapy, you will have a treatment planning procedure called a simulation. This is done to make sure that:
What is external beam radiation?
You will have a type of radiation therapy called external beam radiation. During your treatments, a machine will aim beams of radiation directly at the tumor. The beams will pass through your body and destroy cancer cells in their path. You won’t see or feel the radiation. Radiation therapy takes time to work.
Where to check in for radiation treatment?
For each of your treatments, check in at the reception desk and have a seat in the waiting room. When your radiation therapists are ready for you, you will be shown to the dressing room and asked to change into a hospital gown. Keep your shoes on during your treatment.
What is a radiation dosimeter?
Direct-reading personal radiation dosimeters may be used to monitor radiation dose and can help workers stay within recommended Dose Limits for Emergency Workers.
What should first responders wear before combined hazards are well characterized?
Before combined hazard (s) are well characterized: first responders should be instructed to wear PPE ensembles that protect against anticipated ( potentially multiple) hazards 15
Why do first receivers need to protect themselves against secondary contamination?
Since victims may arrive for treatment contaminated with hazardous materials , first receivers need to protect themselves against secondary contamination by putting on appropriate PPE before delivering medical care
What is a non fit respirator?
Other respiratory protective equipment (e.g., a simple surgical facemask, N-95 respirators), non-fit tested respirators, or ad hoc respiratory protection do not deliver appropriate or sufficient respiratory protection; environmental testing and hazard assessment by a safety professional can help identify hazards and risk levels and direct choices of permissible PPE.
When should PPE be used?
PPE should be used only after administrative and/or engineering controls fail to achieve an acceptable level of worker protection and safety.
Do lead aprons protect against radiation?
Lead aprons worn in diagnostic radiology do not provide sufficient shielding against these kinds of radiation.
How helpful is a mask?
The majority of study participants (86%) found that discussions with medical staff were most helpful in coping with the mask throughout treatment. And while pharmacological intervention provided a quick fix, only 25% of the cohort who were prescribed medication found it helpful, with benefits over-ridden by side effects and restrictions to activities, such as being unable to drive.
What is mask anxiety?
Nixon, et. al. describe mask anxiety as feelings of distress, anxiety, and claustrophobia associated with fitting and wearing of the thermoplastic mask. They determined that mask anxiety is a combination of psychological (feelings of vulnerability, uncertainty, fear) and physiological (rapid heartbeat, rapid breathing, ...
Why do people cut masks?
Cut masks to alleviate feeling of claustrophobia and discomfort for patients with more severe mask anxiety. Beekley Medical® suggests using TenderTouch™ cushioned tape for thermoplastic masks to provide additional comfort and protect skin from rough edges of cut masks.
What is radiation oncology?
Many of those diagnosed will receive radiation oncology as either their primary treatment or as an adjunct to surgical treatment of the cancer. While eliminating the cancer is the primary goal of treatment, preserving the function of the nearby nerves, organs, and tissues is also very important. To prevent accidental movement ...
Why is it important to plan for head and neck cancer?
Proactively planning for the psycho-social needs of head and neck cancer patients, in addition to their clinical treatment needs, not only provides a better patient experience, but can also help reduce disruptions in treatment and other complications due to patient distress.
Can mask anxiety affect radiation?
They state that mask anxiety can disrupt the first day of radiation treatment for approximately 24% of patients. The good news is that over the course of treatment, 63% of patients became accustomed to wearing the masks through a combination of interventions and strategies - from cutting off parts of the masks to aid with vision ...
Does music therapy help mask anxiety?
The use of music therapy, on the other hand, was found to be helpful in minimizing mask anxiety by 72% of the patients in the study.
What does it feel like to be in an MRI machine with a mask?
For some people dealing with the mask and being in an MRI machine can bring about claustrophobic feelings. These feelings are extremely common. The following are some tips on dealing with the mask. 1) The feelings of constraint are in your head- nothing bad is going to happen. You lay still every night for hours.
Can you wear a mask for radiation?
Managing the Radiation Therapy Mask. If you are having radiation on your neck or head region, chances are you will be fitted for a mask for your radiation treatments . For some people dealing with the mask and being in an MRI machine can bring about claustrophobic feelings. These feelings are extremely common.
Why is it important to know that not all radiation treatments work the same way or have the same safety precautions?
This is because they must meet certain regulations that help to limit their exposure to radiation when caring for patients who need treatment and imaging tests. It's important to know that not all radiation treatments work the same way or have the same safety precautions.
How to avoid radiation therapy?
Avoid contact with pets for a specific amount of time. Avoid public transportation for a specific amount of time. Plan to stay home from work, school, and other activities for a specific amount of time. Again, the information here describes some safety concerns of different types of radiation therapy.
How does radiation therapy work?
Internal radiation therapy uses a sealed source of radiation that is implanted (put inside your body) where the cancer is located. Depending on the type of implant used, your body may give off a small amount of radiation for a short time.
Why is it important to keep radiation exposure to the people around you?
If you're getting systemic radiation treatment , sometimes safety measures are needed to protect the people around you. This is because the radioactive materials can leave your body through saliva, sweat, blood, and urine and that makes these fluids radioactive. It's very important to keep radiation exposure to the people around you as limited as possible.
What is external beam radiation?
External radiation therapy is given from an outside source, involves a beam of radiation aimed at a part of the body, and affects cells in your body only for a moment. Because there’s no radiation source inside your body, you are not radioactive at any time during or after treatment.
How long after radiation treatment should you follow safety precautions?
In most cases for systemic radiation treatment, the safety precautions must be followed only the first few days after treatment.
How long after radiation treatment should you wash your clothes?
In most cases for systemic radiation treatment, the safety precautions must be followed only the first few days after treatment. Here are examples of things you might be told to do if you're getting systemic radiation treatment: Wash your laundry separately from the rest of the household, including towels and sheets.