What to Expect During Radiation Treatment
- Consultation. The consultation is an important visit that allows both you and the radiation oncologist to gain more...
- CT Simulation. After the initial consultation and decision to use radiation treatment, the next session is usually a...
- Treatment planning. Several steps occur after simulation and prior to treatment; however,...
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Step 1: Consultation
- Physical examination.
- Review medical history, MRI, CT or other imaging, and medication review.
- Discussion of treatment options.
What should I expect at my first radiation therapy appointment?
Oct 29, 2021 · You will not see or feel the radiation, but you may hear the machine as it is turned on and off. You will be in the treatment room 10 to 40 minutes, depending on the complexity of your treatment. Even though you are alone during treatment, the therapists can see you on the monitor and hear you through the intercom.
What happens after my doctor approves my radiation therapy plan?
External beam radiation treatment for cancer is typically administered every day, Monday through Friday, for five to eight weeks. About two weeks after your first radiation therapy appointment …
How long does it take to be seen for radiation therapy?
During your visit, you’ll discuss possible treatment options, along with the risks and benefits of radiation therapy. You will also meet with a radiation therapy nurse who will explain the …
How to start radiation oncology treatment?
You will check in at the Radiation Oncology desk where the receptionist will verify your ID and your insurance information. You will meet with the doctor and may also meet the nurse who …
What can I expect at a radiation consultation?
What happens at first appointment for radiotherapy?
What can I expect the first week of radiation?
What tests are done before radiation therapy?
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These may include:
- A computed tomography (CT) scan.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- An x-ray.
What can you not do during radiation treatment?
How do they prepare you for radiation?
- Radiation simulation. During simulation, your radiation therapy team works with you to find a comfortable position for you during treatment. ...
- Planning scans. Your radiation therapy team will have you undergo computerized tomography (CT) scans to determine the area of your body to be treated.
What time of day is best for radiation therapy?
Can I drive after radiation therapy?
Is radiation therapy painful?
How many sessions of radiotherapy is normal?
Is radiation worse than chemo?
Do you lose hair with radiation?
Consultation
Your treatment process begins with a consultation visit with your radiation oncologist and other key members of your treatment team.
Treatment Planning
The next step is to plan the radiation therapy through a process known as “simulation.” During this phase, your treatment team will collect visual information to determine your optimal treatment plan utilizing specialized imaging devices, such as a Computed Tomography (CT) scanner.
Treatment
The first appointment in the treatment phase is dedicated to orienting you to the department and double-checking the plan that was designed for you during the Treatment Planning phase. When you arrive for this session, your team, including medical assistants and administrative assistants, will review check-in procedures and other logistics.
Follow-Up
Towards the end of your radiation treatments, your radiation oncologist will discuss an individualized plan for follow-up. In general, you will continue to see your radiation oncologist and/or members of his/her team on a regular basis to assess the response to the treatment and monitor and treat any side effects.
Your Treatment Team
Your treatment team will include highly skilled and experienced physicians and other health care professionals who work together seamlessly to ensure you receive safe, personalized and effective care customized to your specific disease:
What is the first visit to a radiation oncologist?
Your first visit with the radiation oncologist is called your consultation visit. The radiation oncologist will review all your records and pathology reports and give you a physical exam. During this first visit, your doctor and nurse will go over information about your type of cancer, the radiation treatment choices, any possible side effects, ...
How long does it take for side effects from radiation to go away?
Early or acute side effects from radiation therapy can be treated and usually go away a few weeks after your treatment ends. Fatigue, loss of appetite and skin irritation are examples of acute side effects. Late or long-term side effects may take months or years to develop and can be permanent.
Can you change into a hospital gown?
There are changing rooms where you can put your personal belongings. Depending on the area of your body being treated, you may be asked to change into a hospital gown. Family or friends may come with you to your treatment session. They can sit in the waiting area while you are having treatment.
How long does it take for side effects to develop?
Fatigue, loss of appetite and skin irritation are examples of acute side effects. Late or long-term side effects may take months or years to develop and can be permanent. Your radiation oncologist will explain in detail any possible side effects before your treatment begins.
What is the purpose of a simulation session?
Part of the simulation session is finding and recording the best body positioning for you during your treatment. Special devices, such as molds and masks, can help to keep your body in the correct position. The molds and masks are made to fit your body at the time of the simulation.
What is a radiation therapist?
Radiation therapists work with radiation oncologists to give the daily radiation treatment under the doctor’s prescription and supervision. They maintain daily records and regularly check the treatment machines to make sure they are working properly.
How long does radiation treatment last?
Treatments are usually scheduled five days a week, Monday through Friday, and continue for one to 10 weeks. The number of radiation treatments you will need depends on the size, location and type of cancer you have, the intent of the treatment, your general health, and other medical treatments you may be receiving.
What is the role of radiation oncologists?
Radiation oncologists help identify and treat any side effects that may occur due to radiation therapy. They work closely with other cancer doctors, including medical oncologists and surgeons, and all members of the radiation oncology team. Radiation oncologists are the only physicians with the expertise and training to deliver radiation therapy ...
What is the training required for radiation oncology?
In addition to college and medical school, five years of additional training are required for radiation oncologists.
What is radiation oncology nursing?
Radiation oncology nurses work with every member of the treatment team to care for you and your family before, during and after treatment. They will explain the possible side effects you may experience and will describe how you can manage them.
What is the role of a medical physicist?
Medical physicists work directly with the radiation oncologist during treatment planning and delivery. They oversee the work of the dosimetrist and help ensure that complex treatments are properly tailored for each patient. Medical physicists develop and direct quality control programs for equipment and procedures.
What do dosimetrists do?
Dosimetrists work with the radiation oncologist and medical physicist to carefully calculate the dose of radiation to make sure the tumor gets the prescribed amount. Using computers, they develop an optimized treatment plan that can best destroy the tumor while sparing the healthy tissue.
How long does radiation therapy last?
Type of radiation therapy used. Most external beam radiation, when used to shrink a tumor before surgery, is administered five days a week for five to eight weeks. Fewer treatments may be used if the goal is easing cancer-related symptoms.
Can you have side effects from radiation?
In many cases, you will not experience any side effects initially, but may experience some after multiple treatments as the therapy has a cumulative effect. If you had internal radiation, you may experience soreness or tenderness where the catheter was inserted, and you likely will experience some degree of fatigue.
What is CT scan for radiation?
Instead, you’ll come in for a CT scan, which is used to help plan your radiation therapy. You will be positioned as you would during treatment — usually lying flat on your back — and scans will be taken of the area of the body that will be treated.
Is radiation painless?
The treatment itself is painless and is similar to getting an X- ray. You may hear clicking and whirring sounds during the treatment as the machine positions itself. During the treatment, the radiation therapist will be in a small room adjacent to your treatment room and watching you at all times.
What is the role of radiation oncologist?
If you are having more than one type of treatment, your radiation oncologist will work closely with the rest of your cancer team to coordinate your care. Your radiation oncologist also communicates with your primary physician about your treatment plan, your progress, and any follow-up care that may be needed.
What is the only treatment for cancer?
In some cases, radiation therapy will be the only treatment needed to treat a cancer, but often it is used in conjunction with other treatments, such as surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or some combination.
What is radiation therapy?
Radiation therapy used as preoperative therapy to shrink a tumor that will then be removed surgically is referred to as neoadjuvant therapy. When radiation is administered at the same time as chemotherapy or immunotherapy, it’s called concurrent treatment.
Your first visit
When you arrive at your MRO radiation therapy center, check in at the front desk. Our medical secretary will copy your insurance card and make sure all your paperwork is in order.
The simulation
During your first visit, or shortly afterward, you may go through what’s called a simulation. This is where our MRO care team will position you as you would be for radiation treatment, and precise measurements will be taken to pinpoint the exact location of the treatment area on your body.
Scheduling treatments
After your simulation, we will schedule your radiation treatments. At MRO, we provide therapy Monday through Friday, and each treatment course usually lasts between 1 and 8 weeks. The number of treatments varies person to person, and will be determined as part of your treatment planning. Each individual treatment takes between 5 and 30 minutes.
Consultation
- Your treatment process begins with a consultation visit with your radiation oncologist and other key members of your treatment team. They will review your treatment choices, explain possible side effects from your treatment, address any questions and concerns you and your family may have, and obtain your consent to proceed with your personalized tr...
Treatment Planning
- The next step is to plan the radiation therapy through a process known as “simulation.” During this phase, your treatment team will collect visual information to determine your optimal treatment plan utilizing specialized imaging devices, such as a Computed Tomography (CT) scanner. The images created enable your team to map out the exact location of the tumor and the area to be t…
Treatment
- The first appointment in the treatment phase is dedicated to orienting you to the department and double-checking the plan that was designed for you during the Treatment Planning phase. When you arrive for this session, your team, including medical assistants and administrative assistants, will review check-in procedures and other logistics. You may be asked to change into a hospital …
Follow-Up
- Towards the end of your radiation treatments, your radiation oncologist will discuss an individualized plan for follow-up. In general, you will continue to see your radiation oncologist and/or members of his/her team on a regular basis to assess the response to the treatment and monitor and treat any side effects. Should you have any questions or concerns between these s…
Your Treatment Team
- Your treatment team will include highly skilled and experienced physicians and other health care professionals who work together seamlessly to ensure you receive safe, personalized and effective care customized to your specific disease: 1. Radiation Oncologists who oversee your radiation treatment in close coordination with other specialists from medical oncology and/or su…
Your Radiation Consultation Visit
Planning Your Treatment - Simulation
- Your radiation treatment team will set up and plan your radiation therapy in a process called simulation. The simulation consists of a CT scan or x-rays of the specific area where the tumor is located. Some scans require the use of a contrast material such as barium or dye or metal markers in or near the area to be treated, which makes certain organs visible on the x-ray. With t…
The Treatment Process
- When you come for your first radiation treatment, the daily check-in process will be explained. There are changing rooms where you can put your personal belongings. Depending on the area of your body being treated, you may be asked to change into a hospital gown. Family or friends may come with you to your treatment session. They can sit in the waiting area while you are having tr…
Side Effects
- The goal of radiation therapy is to destroy cancer cells, but radiation therapy can also injure or destroy normal cells. This can cause some side effects. Early or acute side effects from radiation therapy can be treated and usually go away a few weeks after your treatment ends. Fatigue, loss of appetite and skin irritation are examples of acute side effects. Late or long-term side effects …