Treatments

Radiation Therapy at the Radiation Oncology Center

What is Radiation Therapy?
Radiation therapy is the treatment of disease, usually some type of cancer, with X-rays, gamma rays, electrons and other types of radiation. The source of the radiation may be an electrical linear accelerator, an electrical orthovoltage unit or radioactive materials such as cesium. The method of radiation used depends on the location and type of condition being treated.

Radiation therapy can be used to treat cancer in conjunction with surgery and chemotherapy or by itself. For many cancers, radiation therapy is the most effective treatment

Radiation Oncology Center
Our staff has years of experience in treating cancer patients and uses that experience to better understand your concerns and apprehension as you enter this phase of your care. Our goals are to work with you and your physicians to provide quality treatment and get you on the road to recovery. Our staff is highly trained and most have years of experience working with radiation therapy patients at Hendrick Cancer Center. They have focused their careers on patients like you because of their genuine interest and concern. Please feel free to ask the staff questions or voice your concerns to them. We are here for you!

Visitors
Visitors are welcome to accompany you through the examination phase of your first visit. At all other times, visitors will be asked to stay in the reception area. Be assured the receptionist will keep your visitors informed about your treatment progress and let them know when you are ready to go home.

Your Treatment Schedule
On occassion, your treatments may begin immediately following your assessment. Most patients, however, will begin treatment at another time following the simulation session.
Treatment schedules usually are five days a week, Monday through Friday, and last three to six weeks on the average. The radiation oncologist determines your treatment schedule, and you will be evaluated throughout the course of therapy.

Missing a Treatment
Holidays, poor weather conditions and your physical health may cause you to miss a treatment. If you are going to miss a treatment, please call the treatment center.

Possible Side Effects
Radiation therapy treatments sometimes cause side effects. These may be temporary and usually are well controlled. During your evaluation visit, we will explain these side effects and how they can be relieved.

Follow-up Visits
Our care for you does not end with your last radiation treatment. Our radiation oncologists and/or your referring physician will see you as needed to assess the effects of the treatment.

Surgical Oncology
When a cancer patient requires surgery for diagnosis or treatment, your physician coordinates the treatment with one of the general and specialized surgeons on staff at Hendrick Medical Center. Some of our surgical specialties include Dermatology, Oral and Maxillofacial, Gastroenterology Surgery, General Surger, Otolaryngology, Gynecology, Plastic Surgery, Neurosurgery, Thoracic Surgery, Ophthalmology, Urological Surgery and Orthopedic Surgery.

Surgeries can include needle localization, palliative laser procedures for the comfort of cancer patients in advanced stages fand the removal of tumors and any adjacent organs possibly affected by the cancer. Some surgeries can be performed on an outpatient basis.