Radiation Consultation
You will meet with one of our radiation oncology doctors to go over your treatment options and come up with a personalized plan. A family member or friend is welcome to listen in and help remember the discussion as we will often spend an hour or more to make sure everyone understands their diagnosis, prognosis, and the road map ahead. If radiation is the next step, we will discuss expected outcomes, including short and long term side effects.
CT simulation/planning scan
This appointment will be scheduled to map out the area we are planning to treat. You will be positioned and possibly immobilized with various devices so that our radiation therapists can treat you in the same position every day. You will then have a CT scan in our building, which will be used by the radiation oncology team (doctor, physicist, and dosimetrist) to plan your treatment. This appointment usually takes 30-45 minutes. You will also receive a schedule of dates and treatment times at this appointment.
Radiation Treatments
You will arrive for your treatment and check in at the front desk. You may then go to the patient waiting/changing area where private rooms are available to change into a hospital gown (not necessary for everyone). The radiation therapists will then verify your name and birthdate, treatment location, and then proceed to position you on the treatment bed. You may notice the machine moving around you and extending the attached CT scanner/X ray panel. The therapists are verifying your position and making micro-adjustments with the 6-degree-of-freedom treatment bed. You will be within millimeters of the optimal treatment position. The doctor is also verifying your treatment position every day with image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT). You will be told when the radiation is actually being delivered. This usually is 1-5 minutes in time. The total appointment is 15-30 minutes a day for a regular treatment, but may be longer for an SBRT or SRS treatment.
Side effect monitoring
At least once a week, you will see the nurse and doctor to go over any potential side effects you are experiencing and to manage those symptoms. This occurs right after your treatment and does not usually require waiting long. The doctor is always available if you want to speak with him/her, even if it is not on the regular weekly visit day.
Radiation completion and follow up
Congratulations! Once you have completed radiation, you will be given a follow up appointment. Most cancer patients will be seeing their various doctors regularly to monitor for recurrence and long term side effects.
Reno Cancer Center 