Treatment Process

Consultation

Radiation therapy is successfully used in the treatment of most cancers often in conjunction with surgery and/ or chemotherapy. There are several steps in the radiation therapy treatment process. The first step is the consultation, which usually occurs at the request of the surgeon or medical oncologist. During the consultation, your radiation oncologist reviews all the medical information about your diagnosis of cancer. A physical examination then follows. Afterward, you and your family meet with your radiation oncologist to discuss the rationale, benefits, and side effects of radiation therapy. If treatment is indicated, you will be given information about the next step in the treatment process: Simulation.

Simulation

The treatment of cancer is unique to the specific type of cancer. The use of radiation therapy varies based on the individual situation. It is during the simulation process that your radiation oncologist “simulates” or decides upon how best to treat your cancer. A computerized tomography (CT) scanner facilitates the process by obtaining special x-ray pictures of the cancer in your body. Your radiation oncologist then maps out the cancer as well as the organs that surround the cancer. Distinguishing between the cancer and the normal organs is very important because the goal of radiation therapy is to treat the cancer and minimize the radiation received by the adjacent organs. The simulation and mapping information is then used in the next step in the treatment process: Treatment Planning.

Treatment Planning

Once the simulation x-rays are obtained, the complex process of treatment planning begins. Unlike simulation, treatment planning is the behind-the-scenes work that does not require your presence. The treatment planning team consists of your radiation oncologist, medical physicist and dosimetrist. The team is specially trained to analyze various radiation therapy techniques in order to treat your cancer in the best way possible. At Henry Radiation Oncology Center, we use state-of the-art treatment planning computers to customize a unique plan for each individual patient. The medical physicist tests the plan for precision and accuracy. Once your physician approves the final plan, you can be assured that the most optimal plan is ready to be used in the next step of the treatment process: Treatment.

Treatment

Through the efforts of the simulation and treatment planning processes, you can be confident that your treatment plan is tailored to your specific needs. There are many different ways to deliver radiation therapy, and your radiation oncologist will discuss which is best for you. Your treatment may involve external beam radiation therapy, brachytherapy, or the combination of both. Often, radiation therapy is given concurrently with chemotherapy. Your physician and nurses will review exactly what you can expect from treatment and the anticipated side effects. You and your family are encouraged to ask questions along the way. Remember, our goal is to care for you with compassion and state-of-the-art cancer care; thus, it is important that we address all your questions and concerns about your treatment.

Follow-up

The period of time following cancer treatment, known as the follow-up, is just as important as the treatment itself. In addition, the follow-up period is the time to assess the status of your cancer and its response to the treatment. It is also the time that your physicians care for any side effects that may have resulted from the treatment. Your radiation oncologist often alternates follow-up visits with your other cancer doctors. Your team of doctors will jointly decide when and what type of x-rays/blood tests you may need. It is our hope that you will return to your normal routine as soon as possible after therapy. Our entire staff looks forward to seeing you as you progress from patient to survivor.