Radiation Oncology
Radiation oncology is a medical specialty that focuses on treating cancer with high-energy radiation to target and kill cancer cells. Radiation therapy is used to treat a wide variety of cancers, but not all cancers and not all patients are candidates for radiation therapy.
If you have been diagnosed with cancer, your oncologist will discuss all of the possible treatment options with you, and will recommend a treatment plan. If radiation therapy is recommended, you will be referred to a Radiation Oncologist, who will talk with you about the best type of radiation treatment for you.
Below you will find a list of topics related to radiation therapy. If you want to learn more, click on any of the boxes below to open the box and read about that topic.
Radiation therapy uses carefully targeted and regulated doses of high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells. Radiation causes some cancer cells to die immediately after treatment, but most die because the radiation damages the chromosomes and DNA so that the cells can no longer divide and the tumor can’t grow.
Radiation oncologists at NMOHC/NMCC treat malignant diseases and work closely with medical oncologists, surgeons and other doctors to coordinate the best care for you.
After consultation with your doctor, if it is determined that you will have radiation treatments, you may be scheduled the same day or scheduled to return to our department Simulation/CT scan. The simulation process can take from 45 minutes to an hour. You will be asked to change into a gown so that we can “mark” or tattoo your skin. In some cases, we will make a special “mold” or “mask” to help us place you in the exact treatment position every day.
After Simulation/CT is completed, you will be given an appointment for your first treatment which may be up to 5-10 working days. The reason for this waiting period is so that the doctor and dosimetrist have enough time to “plan” your radiation fields.
External beam radiotherapy is performed with a machine called a Linear Charged Particle Accelerator, or LINAC for short. This creates multiple X-ray beams that pass through your body at various angles, and intersect at the location of the tumor where the therapeutic dose is delivered. The LINAC is located in a shielded room, and is arranged so that it can rotate around your body while you lay on a special motorized table. You will be placed on the table in a very precise position and then monitored with microphones and video cameras during your treatment.
3D conformal radiotherapy is a type of external beam therapy that makes use of the CT scan to tailor each treatment beam to your internal anatomy. This significantly reduces radiation to your organs while allowing a therapeutic dose to the tumor. It usually consists of 2 to 4 separate beams that take about 10 min total treatment time.
You will have measurements, images and alignment marks on your first day. After the first day, the radiation therapists will work with you on scheduling a permanent time for your daily treatments. Plan to allot at least 15-30 minutes daily for your treatment. The total number of treatments is determined by the radiation oncologist during the planning period with the dosimetrist.
On your first treatment day, you will be given a “check-in” card and instructions for checking in at the front desk. You will then be escorted to the changing room. We have separate areas for men and women.
External beam radiotherapy is performed with a machine called a Linear Charged Particle Accelerator, or LINAC for short. This creates multiple X-ray beams that pass through your body at various angles, and intersect at the location of the tumor where delivers the therapeutic dose. The LINAC is located in a shielded room, and is arranged so that it can rotate around your body while you lay on a special motorized table. You will be placed on the able in a very precise position and then monitored with microphones and video cameras during your treatment.
Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) is an advanced type of external beam therapy in which the LINAC dynamically modulates multiple x-ray beams around your body. This type of treatment let’s doctors prescribe a higher therapeutic dose of radiation to the tumor, while reducing exposure to your organs. It usually consists of 2 arcs of the LINAC that take about 15 min total treatment time.
External beam radiotherapy is performed with a machine called a Linear Charged Particle Accelerator, or LINAC for short. This creates multiple X-ray beams that pass through your body at various angles, and intersect at the location of the tumor where delivers the therapeutic dose. The LINAC is located in a shielded room, and is arranged so that it can rotate around your body while you lay on a special motorized table. You will be placed on the able in a very precise position and then monitored with microphones and video cameras during your treatment.
Volumetric Modulation Arc Therapy (VMAT) is a new advanced type of external beam therapy in which the LINAC dynamically rotates around your body delivering a continuously modulated x-ray beam. This type of treatment let’s doctors prescribe a higher therapeutic dose of radiation to the tumor, while reducing exposure to your organs. It usually consists of 2 arcs of the LINAC that take about 10 min total treatment time.
You will be seen by a radiation oncologist or physician assistant at least once a week. This is routine even if you are feeling well. We have a team of several Radiation Oncology doctors, so you may see several during your course of treatment. If you feel you are experiencing problems or side effects associated with your treatment, please approach your therapist or our nursing staff at anytime so this information can be assessed and you can be referred to your doctor if necessary.
After you have been under treatment for a few days, the nurse will schedule some extra time to go over instructions for caring for your skin in the treatment area. She will also talk to you about nutritional needs and pain control, and will care for you throughout your treatments.
Sometime during your radiation treatments you will have blood work (CBC) done here in our facility. Some patients will have a blood test once a week or every other week. Your nurse will let you know how frequently you will need a blood test.
The ACR seal of accreditation represents the highest level of quality and patient safety. It is awarded only to facilities meeting specific Practice Guidelines and Technical Standards developed by ACR after a peer-review evaluation by board-certified radiation oncologists and medical physicists who are experts in the field. Patient care and treatment, patient safety, personnel qualifications, adequacy of facility equipment, quality control procedures, and quality assurance programs are assessed. The findings are reported to the ACR Committee on Radiation Oncology Accreditation, which subsequently provides the practice with a comprehensive report they can use for continuous practice improvement.
