| ||
| ||
| ||
| ||
| ||
| ||
| ||
| ||
| ||
|
CONTACT Nevada Radiation Oncology Center-West 655 Town Center Drive Las Vegas, NV 89134 USA 702-233-2200 702-233-2210 fax HIPAA Privacy Statement  This information was accurate at the time of publication. © Copyright 2003 |
| Your Treatment Procedure |
You are here: For Patients > Your Treatment Procedure
The staff at NROC-West is sensitive to the fact that you may be fearful and anxious about receiving treatments. The more you know about the treatment procedure beforehand may alleviate some of your concerns.
The Treatment Procedure
Initial Consultation
Your first visit to the Center is for consultation. The radiation oncologist and staff review your medical history, blood tests, x-rays, and other examinations. If necessary, additional studies may be ordered.
The radiation oncologist then sits down with you and your family to describe how radiation therapy works, whether it is a treatment option, the possible side effects, and answers any questions.
Simulation
The first step in radiation therapy is simulation, a process that defines the "treatment port" or precise area on your body to focus treatment. While you lie on the simulation table - a special type of x-ray table - a radiation therapist takes x-ray images and studies them.
There may be more than one treatment port. The radiation therapist may mark the ports on your body with tiny dots of colored ink to outline the treatment area. Simulation takes from a half-hour to about two hours.
Treatment Plan
The radiation oncologist devises a treatment plan, based on the type of tumor, its size, and its location to nearby organs. The medical physicist and/or dosimetrist performs calculations to insure that the tumor will get the radiation dose prescribed by the oncologist and helps determine the means of treatment delivery.
The plan may call for special shields to protect normal tissues and organs during tratment. Plastic or plaster forms to help you remain still may also be recommended.
The Center always informs your referring physician of the treatment plan and keeps the physician fully informed as the treatment progresses.
The treatment plan is carefully carried out and monitored by our certified radiation therapists. The Center uses a linear accelerator to apply external beam radiation to the treatment site. The accelerator produces ionizing radiation which destroys tumor cells.
External beam therapy is usually administered four or five times a week for a few minutes each treatment. An entire course of treatment may last from one to nine weeks, depending on the type of tumor and the treatment goal.
Note: The information on this website is provided as general health guidelines and may not be applicable to your particular health condition. Your individual health status and any required medical treatments can only be properly addressed by a professional healthcare provider of your choice. Remember: there is no adequate substitute for a personal consultation with your physician. Neither Nevada Radiation Oncology Center-West, nor any of its affiliates or contributors, shall have any liability for the content or any errors or omissions in the information provided by this website.
The information, content and artwork provided by this website are intended for non-commercial use by the reader. The reader is permitted to make one copy of the information displayed for his/her own non-commercial use. The making of additional copies is prohibited.
Copyright © 2003 Nevada Radiation Oncology Center-West. All rights reserved.
