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How long is a course of radiation therapy?
 A course of radiation can last from 1 day to 8 weeks depending
on the disease and the treatment course that your doctor prescribes.
Most treatments are given daily, Monday through Friday, 5 days per
week.
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Will I be able to drive after my treatment?
Almost all patients are able to drive while receiving radiation
treatments. However, with some types of cancer, driving may NOT be
recommended due to fatigue or strong pain medication. Please consult
your doctor for specific recommendations.
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Will I feel or see anything during my treatment?
External beam radiation treatments are painless. They are very
similar to having a regular x-ray taken. Radiation beams are not
visible with the bare eye.
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Will I feel anything after my treatment?
Most patients continue their normal daily routine while
receiving radiation treatments. Many can continue to work and
participate in hobbies. Depending on the area being treated, there may
be side effects including, fatigue, nausea, skin irritation or
diarrhea. Your doctor will discuss the side effects specific to your
treatment.
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How long does each treatment take?
The radiation therapists, who are under the direction of your
doctor, will take all the time necessary to ensure that you are
properly positioned on the table for your treatment. The actual amount
of time the radiation beam is on is generally only about one or two
minutes for each treatment field. Most of the time patients are in and
out of the radiation department in about 30 minutes. The staff
attempts to arrange the schedule to ensure that appointments are kept
on time, but on some days there may be delays due to unforeseen
circumstances or emergencies.
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What is the difference between chemotherapy and radiation therapy?
Chemotherapy involves medications given by injections or pills
for cancer. This type of treatment is circulated throughout the entire
body and is generally prescribed by a medical oncologist. Radiation
therapy is x-rays produced by a linear accelerator or a radioactive
source, and is prescribed by a radiation oncologist. The radiation
beams are focused on a very specific area of the body, and thus the
effects are highly localized.
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How does the doctor know how much radiation to give me?
Through years of experience, there are recommended ranges of
dose for each specific disease type. Your case will be thoroughly
reviewed by the radiation oncologist, and a customized dose and
treatment field will be prescribed based on the diagnosis, the cell
type and the location and stage of disease.
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Can I take vitamins and /or other medications while receiving
radiation treatments?
Good nutrition is very important during your treatment. Taking
a multivitamins acceptable. Please tell you doctor about all
medications and/or herbal products that you are currently taking,
including large doses of any one vitamin. In some cases, mega doses of
some vitamins may be harmful.
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Can I be out in the
sun?
As a general rule, the area that is being treated with
radiation should not be exposed to direct sunlight for up to one year
after treatment. Sunscreen is advised for these areas. Do not apply
sunscreen to affected area while receiving radiation treatments.
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Is it a problem if I
miss a treatment?
We strongly recommend that you attempt to make all appointments
as prescribed by your radiation oncologist. If you miss an appointment
during your prescribed treatment, it will extend your treatment course
by the number of days missed. Please consult with your doctor if you
need to miss any treatment sessions.
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Will I contaminate
other people after radiation therapy?
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The answer depends on
the type of radiation therapy you receive. Ask your radiation
oncologist for specific details. The following are some general
guidelines.
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If you receive external
beam radiation therapy, you may hug, kiss and have physical contact
with other people anytime during or after you complete your therapy.
You may have sexual intercourse if you are comfortable.
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If your treatment
involves internal radiation therapy, such as temporary implants, you
will be radioactive as long as you have the radioactive source
inside your body, so your loved ones would be a risk for exposure.
You will remain hospitalized with limited visitation during the
implant procedure. After the radioactive source is removed, it is
safe to go home.
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Some patients are sent
home after a low dose intake of radioactive substance or permanent
radioactive seed implants (such as prostate brachytherapy). In this
case once the radiation reaches a low enough level for you to go
home, you will have very few restrictions on physical contact with
others. This is usually only a few days
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Can I go swimming?
No. The chemicals in the pool can irritate your skin. In
addition, swimming may cause the essential alignment marks on your
skin to wear off.
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Can I take a bath?
You may take a bath only if the area being treated is not
soaked during the bath. Soaking the treated area can cause the
alignment marks to wear off. We recommend that you take a quick
shower. Use of a loofah, face towel or anything that can cause
friction to the treated area should be avoided.
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While receiving
radiation treatments, how often will I see my radiation oncologist?
In general, you will be scheduled to see your doctor and nurse
once a week during your treatments. Sometimes you may see a physician
other than your regular doctor. You will also be monitored daily, by
the radiation therapists who actually deliver your daily treatments.
Your physician is always available if needed and covering staff is
available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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If I am on
chemotherapy and radiation therapy at the same time, how will this
affect me?
When given together, radiation and chemotherapy can intensify
side effects or increase the types of acute side effects you
experience. The type of chemotherapy and the site of radiation will
influence the degree or severity of the side effects.
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Will I need to come
back after my radiation treatments are finished?
Yes, you will have a follow-up appointment 3 weeks after your
treatment ends. This allows us to evaluate your progress. Periodic
follow-ups will then be scheduled unless your physician advises that
it is no longer necessary.
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Are the side effects
the same for everyone?
Radiation side effects vary from patient to patient. You may
have no side effects or only a few mild ones through your course of
treatment. However, some people may experience serious side effects.
Radiation side effects depend primarily on the radiation dose that is
given and the part of the body that is being treated. Before beginning
your treatment, the doctor will discuss the side effects that you
might experience, how long they might last and how serious they may
be.
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