Radiation Oncology
For more information or to schedule an appointment with a radiation oncologist, call (219) 983-6100.
Radiation oncologists specialize in the treatment of cancer patients, using radiation as the main modality. They oversee the care of each cancer patient undergoing radiation treatments. They develop and prescribe each cancer patient's treatment plan as well as work closely with other specialty physicians to provide a plan of treatment for each patient. The oncologists are all certified by the American Board of Radiology.
Others who care for patients receiving radiation therapy include:
Medical physicists work closely with the radiation oncologist during treatment planning and oversee the medical dosimetrist to ensure complex treatments are customized for each patient. The medical physicist also is responsible for developing and directing quality control programs and responsible for making sure equipment is functioning properly. On a regular basis, the medical physicist will perform safety tests and take precise measurements of the radiation beam output. The physicist has a doctorate in medical physics and is certified by the American Board of Radiology.
Dosimetrists work with the radiation oncologist and physicist to develop a number of treatment plans that have the best radiation coverage to a tumor while sparing nearby healthy tissue. The dosimetrist has knowledge of overall oncology treatment machines and equipment and also has expertise necessary to generate dose calculations and to generate radiation dose distributions. The dosimetrist is certified by the Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board, certified with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists and is also a member of the ASRT and AAMD.
PET/CT technologists produce combined PET/CT scans that provide images that pinpoint the anatomic location of abnormal metabolic activity within the body. The combined PET/CT scans have been shown to provide more accurate diagnoses than the two scans performed separately.
Radiation therapists administer the daily radiation treatments under doctor's supervision and follow the prescribed radiation dose set by the radiation oncologist, with the use of advanced computer systems and sophisticated radiation therapy equipment. They maintain a daily treatment record and also monitor the condition of the patient during the course of treatment. The therapist also checks the machine daily through a series of quality assurance checks to ensure machine is functioning properly and is responsible for the accuracy of the treatment while using their judgment to ensure quality care and patient safety. The radiation therapists are certified by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist (ARRT) and are licensed to operate in Indiana. They are members of the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT).
Patient navigators understand a cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming. A cancer diagnosis may cause a person to feel bombarded with a considerable amount of information. Our patients don't have to navigate the maze alone. The patient navigators can offer guidance by providing personalized assistance and support and also serve as a consistent point of contact and source of information. Our goal is to see that our patients have the resources, the expertise and the support to successfully recover.
Patient services representative performs a variety of clerical and customer service tasks along with scheduling patients for diagnostic tests and lab work. They also assist radiation oncologist in consultation appointments and follow-up appointments as well as weekly management of treatment patients. The patient service representative is also responsible for registering all aspects of patient demographics and billing information along with monitoring and maintaining accurate medical records. Patient service representatives comply with all federal, state and department policies, maintain patient confidentiality and are CPR certified.
What to Expect
Step One - Referral/Consultation
During your consultation, you and your family will meet with the radiation oncologist, a physician who is specially trained in radiation therapy. You, your family and the radiation oncologist will discuss the possible benefits of radiation therapy. The physician will review your current and past medical history, review any imaging tests and may perform a physical exam to assess your current condition. During the consult, the physician will discuss all the benefits and risks of the radiation therapy. If, after your consultation, it is determined radiation therapy is the best course of action you will schedule a treatment planning CT and the physician will develop your radiation treatment plan.
Step Two - CT Simulation/Treatment Planning CT
To determine exactly where the radiation will be directed you will undergo a treatment planning CT or CT simulation.
A radiation therapist will be present during your simulation to align and position you in a stable, comfortable, reproducible setup that will be duplicated exactly the same during your course of radiation therapy. You may be asked to change into a gown or partially undress so the radiation therapist can draw marks on your body in the area to be treated without having to alter your position to remove clothing. The entire simulation procedure will last 30 to 45 minutes.
Step Three - Treatment Planning
After you have completed your CT simulation, the radiation oncology team will develop your custom radiation treatment plan. This planning process can range from one to seven days depending on the complexity and type of plan generated. The team will determine the exact location and field size to be treated as well as shape the beam to best conform to the tumor. The number of treatments needed is determined by the radiation oncologist and can range between two to eight weeks depending on the goal of the radiation treatments and area of the body to be treated.
Step Four - Scheduling a Radiation Treatment Time
Once the treatment plan is complete, a radiation therapist will contact you to arrange a treatment time. Radiation treatments are scheduled every 15 minutes and you will be asked to keep your appointment time throughout the course of treatment.
Step Five - Pre-Radiation Treatment
During your treatment the therapist will position you on the treatment table in the same position used during the treatment planning CT. The lights in the treatment room will be dim and the therapist will use red positioning lasers like those from the simulation to align you with the linear accelerator. The therapist will make shifts using coordinates from the treatment plan to get to the exact location on your body where the radiation will be directed. After you are properly aligned, the therapist will take a series of x-rays or port films before the treatment to verify that the marks on your skin match the treatment plan. Your radiation oncologist will view the x-rays and determine if there are any necessary changes that may be needed to match the treatment plan exactly. Your first treatment may begin immediately following the port films or may start the following day.
Step Six - What to Expect During Radiation Treatments
The radiation treatments are similar to having an X-ray taken; you will feel nothing and the treatments are painless. You will be positioned exactly the same way you were positioned during your treatment planning CT and for the port filming. Once aligned with the linear accelerator, you will be asked to hold very still and to breathe normally for the entire treatment. The linear accelerator will be moving around you to get into the predetermined position needed to deliver the radiation. During your treatment, the therapist will leave the room and will operate the machine from the control area outside the treatment room. From the control area, the therapist can hear and see you on a video and audio monitor at all times and can also communicate with you when needed. On average, most patients can be positioned and given their treatment within 15 minutes. The actual time the radiation is on can range from one to four minutes. Once a week, or every five or six treatments, the therapist will take port films to verify that your treatment set-up remains accurate. Your radiation oncologist will meet with you on a weekly basis throughout your course of treatment to answer questions and to check how you and the treatments are going.
Side Effects from Radiation Treatments
During the course of therapy and if your condition permits, you are encouraged to continue your normal, daily activities, including work. However, you may experience some side effects that may often be minimized with diet or medication. With the technology available today, side effects from the radiation treatments are minimal. Radiation only affects the part of the body being treated. Side effects can be different from patient to patient depending on the total radiation dose delivered and area of the body being treated. Often, patients will not experience any side effects until 3-4 weeks into their treatment and they may last for up to several weeks after the completion of the treatments. General side effects from radiation therapy can include skin changes, fatigue and decreased blood counts. Other side effects are dependent on the area being treated.
Step Seven - Follow-Up Appointment
At the conclusion of your radiation treatments, you will have periodic appointments with your radiation oncologist to follow-up on your health status. You will also be seeing other doctors after your treatments including your family physician, medical oncologist and/or surgeon. Your radiation oncologist may order lab tests, X-rays or other diagnostic procedures.