Overview of the Treatment Process | OncoLink Cancer Resources

Introduction

The purpose of this section is to provide you with an overview of the radiation therapy treatment process, from the initial consultation through treatment and follow-up. We encourage you to read through all of this information, or, if you prefer, you can go directly to specific sections by simply clicking on that title below. We hope you find the information helpful, and that it enhances your understanding of your care.

The following information is contained in this section:

Initial Consultation
Informed Consent process
Treatment Planning
CT/Simulation
Tattoos
Technical Planning Process
Set-Up
Confirmation
Daily Treatments
Treatment Times and Scheduling
On-Treatment Examinations
End-of-Treatment Visit
Follow-Up Care

Initial Consultation

Whenever radiation therapy is being considered as part of your treatment plan, a consultation visit will be arranged for you with a radiation oncologist, a physician specially trained in using radiation therapy for treating your type of cancer. The purpose of this visit is to confirm the use of radiation therapy in your treatment, to determine the kind of radiation therapy plan to be used for your treatment, and to answer any questions you may have. The consultation will take from one to several hours, depending on your particular situation. Please bring with you all X-rays, laboratory studies, pathology slides and other tests that have been performed so that they can be reviewed by the radiation oncologist.

During the visit, a detailed history and physical examination will be performed by your physician. Your physician will also discuss their findings with other members of the multidisciplinary treatment team so that all treatments, such as surgery and chemotherapy, will be coordinated to ensure that you can receive the best possible care. At the end of the visit, your physician will review and recommend the role of radiation therapy in your care. If radiation therapy is not recommended, the physician will also discuss the reasons for this.

Informed Consent Process

If radiation therapy is recommended as a part of your treatment, your physician will review in detail the proposed treatment, the reasons for recommending the treatment, and the potential risks and side effects of such treatment. Ample time will be provided so that you have a full understanding of the treatment and related issues and have all of your questions and concerns answered in full. We encourage you to bring family members or significant others with you, as they may be able to help you during the process and have their own questions answered.

Once you feel that you have a full understanding of the proposed treatment, risks, side effects and other possible treatment options, you will be asked to sign a consent form. Before you sign the consent form, you need to make sure that you are comfortable with the explanation that you have received. Even after you have signed the consent, your physician is always available to answer new questions or to provide additional information. You can withdrawal your consent at any time for any reason.

For additional information about the consent process, go to OncoLink: Making Treatment Decisions - Informed Consent.

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