PATIENTS
Please bring with you on your first visit your insurance card and any forms that may have been mailed you in advance. If you have not received the forms, you will be asked to fill these out while you wait for your consultation. It is advisable that you arrive 15 minutes prior to your consultation.

CONSULTATION
This is your first visit to the radiation therapy clinic. During the initial consultation, you will first be seen by the nurse who will take a brief medical history from you. This is to help the radiation oncologist to assess your case. Please bring a list of all current medications you are taking. After the interview with the nurse, the radiation oncologist will conduct an interview with you and your family, if desired. You may be examined by the physician either before or after the consultation. During the consultation the physician will review with you the history of your current condition and take the time to discuss openly with you your treatment options, as well as review the role that radiation therapy may play in treatment of your disease. It is advisable to bring a list of questions that you may have as many patients are "overwhelmed" by the initial visit, as a lot of information is relayed to you on this visit.

SIMULATION
Once it has been determined that radiation is to be given, the next step is to plan for adequate treatment delivery. A simulation is a procedure much like an ordinary x-ray, although specifically used for treatment planning. You will be placed on the x-ray table by a radiation therapist and positioned exactly like you will be when you receive the radiation. It may be necessary to use immobilizing devices, position you face up or face down, and possibly insert anatomical markers and/or catheters for some types of cancers. Once the correct position has been determined, the radiation oncologist will use information obtained from imaging studies and determine the size and location of the volume to be irradiated. Once this has been achieved using fluoroscopy, the radiation therapist will mark the location on your skin and take a series of radiographs. After the radiation oncologist has approved the radiographs, permanent tattoos are placed under the skin. At the end of the procedure, measurements and various thicknesses are taken by the physics department. Usually a simulation procedure takes about an hour, but may take more or less time depending on the location and complexity of the area to be irradiated.

TREATMENT (Back To Top)
After your simulation, you will be given a date and time to start treatment. Your first visit may take up to a half-hour as verification films are taken the first day of treatment to ensure proper set-up. After the first day, a typical treatment lasts about 15 minutes, which includes getting on and off the table, set up, and radiation therapy delivery. Treatments are administered by radiation therapists who have undergone extensive training and are nationally and state certified.

Appointments are scheduled at 15-minute intervals so it is imperative that you arrive on time so that other patients are not delayed. Routine daily treatments are given Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Usually you are given the same treatment time daily. Please call the office at 599-9545 if you think you may be late for your appointment.