TREATMENT VISIT
Cancer treatments are usually given five days a week for six to seven weeks or more. Pain reducing (palliative) care usually takes two to three weeks. Spreading out treatments has an advantage over giving a few large doses because it protects normal body tissues that can also be affected by radiation. Weekend rests give normal cells the chance to recover.
Your treatment plan is designed specifically for you and is determined by the dose of radiation; the size, location, and type of cancer you have; and other issues with your overall heath.
Daily radiation treatments take only a few minutes. Your appointment will be scheduled at the same time every day of the week. The department will do everything possible to accommodate your personal schedule.
The only days of the week you will need to be here longer is the day you see the radiation oncologist for your weekly assessment and the day for your blood test. Questions and concerns at other times are directed to the radiation oncology nurse. A UHealth radiation oncologist is in the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center during treatment hours and is available for consult as necessary. In addition, the on-call doctor can be reached by calling the department 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
-
When you come for treatment, valet your car and proceed to the Radiation Oncology receptionist area. The receptionist will enter you in the system and notify the radiation therapy team of your arrival.
Valet parking area
Reception area
-
You will be asked to proceed to the dressing area. Please change into a gown in the dressing area, and wait in the treatment waiting area. This is a good time to have the unit secretary stamp your valet ticket so you won’t be charged.
Treatment waiting area
Dressing room
-
Most cancer radiation patients receive external therapy administered by a linear accelerator during outpatient visits. The Department of Radiation Oncology at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center has three high performance, dual photon energy, multiple electron beam linear accelerators. The machines are computer controlled and verify orders to override human error. If the operator does not give the machine the right cues for your particular case, it will not turn on.
Treatment machine
-
All treatment rooms are light and airy and have different backdrops. During the treatment time you will be watched on closed-circuit television and will remain in touch with a radiation therapist by 2-way audio connection.
Treatment room
Outside Treatment Room -
On the day of the week you are scheduled to see the doctor, you will check in at the nurses’ station after your treatment. You will be weighed and escorted to an exam room. This weekly exam helps your doctor and other members of the radiation oncology team monitor your progress and change the doses or number of treatments you receive, if needed.
Nurses station
- The members of our team are always available to answer questions and address your concerns. Please do not hesitate to speak with them. This includes not only your doctor, nurse or radiation therapist, but also our social worker, financial counselor and the rest of our administrative team.
