Cancer treatment may vary depending upon the type of cancer, the stage of cancer, and the goal of treatment. The goal can be to cure or to palliate – which means to reduce the symptoms (such as pain) but not cure the underlying disease. Cancer is often treated with surgery, chemotherapy, hormones, and radiation therapy. Treatment can consist of any one – or a combination of – these treatment modalities.
Chemotherapy is considered a systemic treatment as it is given as a pill or intravenously into the blood – and can go all over the body. Radiation is considered a local treatment, as it only affects the specific area where it is delivered. For example, if you receive radiation to your abdomen – the hair on your head will not fall out.
Radiation is usually given in the form of high-energy beams that deposit the radiation dose in the body. It works by damaging the DNA in the cancer cells, preventing them from reproducing and growing. The cancer cells then die and the cancer shrinks. Radiation also damages normal cells – but they have the ability to repair the damage. This can cause side effects, but they usually resolve with time. The objective of radiation therapy is to kill enough cancer cells to maximize the probability of cure and minimize the side effects.
What can you expect with a course of radiation therapy? You will first be seen by a radiation oncologist, who has reviewed your records and determined if and how much radiation you will need. On the next visit, you will undergo what we call simulation. This consists of a Cat Scan (CT) in what will be your treatment planning position. (For example, a lung cancer patient may be on their back with their arms up.) You will need a custom-made immobilization device that will be used for the simulation and every treatment. This is to help you hold still and to help us aim our beams correctly.
The radiation oncologist and dosimetrist then use that CT to make a treatment plan specific for you – and this can take about a week. After a physicist has double checked the plan for accuracy and safety, you will return. The first time you are on the treatment table, we will take what are called “verification” films. The doctor reviews these films to make sure you are lining up correctly, and that the beams will be going where we want them to go. The next day, you return and begin your treatment.
Treatments are given Monday – Friday. They don’t take long, and you don’t feel anything while they are being delivered (much like an x-ray). We anticipate the total time you will be in the Cancer Center will be 20-45 minutes – depending on the complexity of your treatment. You will see the doctor every week so that he or she can see how you are doing and answer any questions.
To us – you are not just another person with cancer – you are a unique individual. Our highly experienced physicians and team of professionals focus on the best treatment plan to meet each patient’s specific needs. We have state of the art equipment and treatment planning capabilities. We follow the treatment process closely and monitor and treat side effects to ensure patients maintain the highest possible quality of life.
The following is a general overview of radiation therapy, covering:
- Techniques for Delivering Radiation Therapy
- What to Expect During Radiation Treatment
- Side Effects of Radiation Therapy
- Prevention and Management of Radiation Side Effects
- Frequently Asked Questions
This information is intended to help educate patients about their treatment options and to facilitate a mutual or shared decision-making process with their treating cancer physician.
