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Once the decision to treat you has been made, the exact treatment area needs
to be defined so that as much radiation as possible can be precisely
delivered to the tumor with as little as possible to surrounding normal tissue.
Additional imaging tests may be required to aid your doctor in this process.
Prior to starting irradiation, about an hour is required to plan your
treatment. This session is called "simulation" and consists of identifying
and marking the area requiring treatment. Individually contoured lead blocks
and devices to immobilize you during treatment may be made at this time.
Portal films (x-ray pictures taken by the treatment machine) of the
treatment area are usually taken before starting actual radiation. Also,
temporary treatment marks will be drawn on your skin to aid in directing the
radiation. These marks and care of your skin will be discussed by the
radiation therapy technologists.
Once the initial treatment set-up is approved, the actual daily treatments
will be administered by our board certified radiation therapy technologists.
Most patients are treated four or five days a week for a period of several
weeks. Although the actual time of exposure to the radiation beam is only a
few minutes, you will need to allow 15-20 minutes for your visit. We will
always try to arrange your appointment to suit your schedule and
convenience, usually at the same time each day.
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