:: TREATMENT PROCESS::

The Process

At ARO, we understand that being a candidate for radiation therapy has its logistical concerns. Unlike other cancer treatments, radiation therapy involves daily treatments that can last for up to ten weeks. There will be a series of appointments necessary once a patient is referred for radiation therapy.

Consultation: The first appointment will involve a consultation with the physician. This is usually made within 24 to 48 hours of calling. The consultation may take at least one hour and involves taking a patient history, reviewing reports and x-rays, as well as a thorough explanation of the treatment that is best suited for the patient as well as side effects of the treatment.

Simulation: If the decision is made to proceed with treatments, the patient will be scheduled for simulation. Simulation is done with ARO’s state-of-the-art CT simulator. The patient is placed in the position he or she will be in during the treatments. This may involve the making of devices necessary for positioning. The patient then undergoes a CT scan. The images are used to define the patient’s anatomy and identify the tumor or area to be treated. Because this is not a diagnostic scan, abnormalities generally cannot be identified. Once the images are obtained, they are used to create 3D reconstruction of the body.

Treatment Planning: Once the patient has undergone simulation, the physician and the members of the treatment team review the images along with the patient’s medical tests to develop a treatment plan. Treatment planning is done with highly sophisticated software. The software available at ARO allows for standard treatment planning, as well as 3D conformal, intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT). The variety of plans that can be generated allow for complex planning that maximizes the patient’s opportunity to receive the best radiation treatment.

External Beam Radiation Treatments: When the patient begins treatments at ARO, each session is painless and usually takes less than twenty minutes each day. The treatments are much like an x-ray. The radiation is directed to the area of concern from the linear accelerator, which never touches the patient. The treatments are scheduled five days a week, and may continue for up to ten weeks. Once the patient is positioned correctly, the therapist will leave the room and go into an adjoining control room to closely monitor the patient on a television screen while administering the radiation.

Follow-up Care: After treatment, the patient will return for follow-ups as indicated. Close monitoring will be done in a coordinated fashion with the radiation oncologist and the other physicians involved in the patient’s care. Follow up tests, such as x-rays, blood work, etc. may be necessary.

Disease Specific Information