What To Expect
Most often, cancer patients find themselves in the world of oncology before becoming fully familiar with terms used for oncology care and the process to follow to learn about treatment options and decide the best treatment for their cancer. The first step is to meet with a cancer expert who can confirm you have a cancer diagnosis and explain different treatment options based on the many factors of your disease. Scheduling a consultation with a cancer care expert can be one of your best steps on your road to cancer treatment. We are here to help you navigate through your cancer care journey, making sure all your questions are answered and you are equipped with resources to help you make the most informed decisions for your care.
Your first visit will be a consultation with our Board-Certified Radiation Oncologist, a cancer specialist, who is the most knowledgeable about the use of radiation therapy in the treatment of cancer and some benign conditions. During your consultation, the physician will learn more about your medical history and test results, conduct a physical exam and discuss your cancer diagnosis and potential treatment options. Sometimes additional tests or scans may be required, which will be discussed with you at the time of your consultation. We will work closely with other specialists on your care team to determine the most effective treatment for you.
Please arrive 15 minutes before your appointment time, bringing your health insurance card, a picture ID, the name(s) of all the physicians currently involved in your care and a list of current medications you are taking.
Once your radiation oncologist recommends a course of radiation therapy, you will be given a Simulation appointment. On this day your appointment is scheduled with radiation therapists who are supervised by your radiation oncologist to map out your treatment area using a special CT scanner. Unless previously arranged, you will see your Radiation Oncologist only briefly on this day as he/she checks on the simulation process. Usually, your treatment planning will involve taking detailed images of your body and making precise marks in the areas that will receive the radiation beams.
During the simulation process, your treatment position will be determined for each time you have treatment delivered. Often, specialized treatment aids or immobilization devices are made to ensure that you are in the same position every day during your treatments. This is an important process in your care as it will ensure accurate delivery of the radiation beam, improve your comfort throughout the course of your treatments and allow for the highest clinical outcomes. You will have plenty of opportunities to ask questions about your radiation treatment during this visit.
Your radiation oncologist and radiation therapists will determine how you will be positioned on the table to optimize your treatments. It is important to find a comfortable position that you can hold for 15 – 30 minutes for each of your treatments. This process to prepare for your treatment positioning may take 45 – 90 minutes to complete. With these images our treatment planning team will map out an individualized plan that’s right for you.
An immobilizing device may be used to comfortably hold you in place and provide extra safety and support. In some cases, particularly with head/neck cancer, this device may be a mask. The mask is created out of firm plastic with holes in it and molded to conform to your face, which is a quick and painless procedure. It too is designed to fit comfortably so that breathing is easy.
A radiation therapist will mark your body to indicate the precise reference spot for your treatment. The type of markings used will depend on your tumor site and the type of treatment that you will receive. Marks can be made by a marking pen and are not permanent. Please discuss any concerns about receiving these marks with your radiation therapy team.
You will not be receiving a radiation treatment the day of your simulation procedure. Your simulation will result in a computer-generated plan for treatment that is reviewed and approved by your Radiation Oncologist. The normal time frame to begin treatments is approximately 5-7 working days after your simulation. You will be called and given the time and date of your first appointment for treatment.
Your appointment time will typically be the same time throughout your course of treatment. Routine treatment times are scheduled daily, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm, except for holidays.
A very large machine called a linear accelerator is used to deliver radiation to your cancer site . It will rotate around you to deliver the radiation dose to your tumor from multiple angles. As the treatment begins, you will lie on a table. The radiation therapist will align your body to ensure proper administration of the therapy and the table will raise you up and into position.
Your therapist will step outside the room to monitor your treatment via closed circuit television. You can communicate by using the intercom system, where your therapist can hear you and you will be able to hear your therapist speak to you if necessary.
The linear accelerator will make a buzzing sound while the radiation is being delivered, but you will not feel or see the radiation. It is very important that you do not move during your treatment.
During the course of your treatment, you will be seen once a week by the radiation oncologist to monitor how you are responding to the treatments. Our care team is also available to answer questions you may have. Follow instructions carefully, and report any unusual symptoms to your radiation therapy team.
The treatment area may be washed, but only with a mild soap. Gently pat the area dry with a soft towel. Dry, itching skin with some redness are common skin reactions to radiation therapy. Talk with your radiation therapist about recommended skin care. Remember, the treatment area should be protected from the sun during the course of treatment.
Use of sunscreen is acceptable but cosmetics, creams, lotions and powders should not be applied to the treatment area unless you are instructed to do so. Hats, visors and high collars are encouraged if it will help protect the treated area from the sun. Additionally, the treatment area should receive no form of heat from hot water bottles, heating pads or Jacuzzis.
Your weight will be checked weekly to help monitor your progress and tolerance to the treatments. Please report to your Provision care team anything related to your treatment that is worrying you.
Follow-up appointments are an important means of measuring the effectiveness of your treatment and to treatments. This may include blood work and x-rays or other imaging exams including MRI or PET/CT studies. It is extremely important to schedule and keep regular appointments after your therapy has concluded.
Important things to remember:
- Wear comfortable clothes for treatment because you may have to change into a gown.
- If you must see your radiation oncologist on a day other than your regularly scheduled day, please let your therapist know. Your therapist will help you arrange a different time for the physician meeting.
- It is essential that you do not skip any treatments or other clinic appointments. If you must reschedule your appointment, please call us as soon as possible.
- Your therapist will advise you of any schedule changes due to major holidays.
- Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is also a part of your treatment.