Patients may be referred to our cancer center for radiation therapy by a family or internal medicine physician, surgeon, medical oncologist, or another medical specialist. All medical reports, diagnostic imaging, and laboratory test results must be submitted prior to the initial appointment.
At the first appointment, patients should bring:
- Completed forms
- Driver's license or photo ID
- Insurance cards
- List of medicines they are taking, including dosages and times taken
The appointment will take between one and two hours. During the consultation, William Rockey, MD, PhD, discusses patients' medical history, diseases, and symptoms.
Dr. Rockey will:
- Decide if radiation is appropriate
- Recommend a course of treatment
- Review potential side effects
- Answer patients' and family members' questions
Treatment
After making an informed decision to have radiation treatment, patients return to the clinic for a computerized tomography (CT) scan, which creates a series of x-rays taken from different angles that produce a high-resolution image of the tumor and surrounding area. They also may need other tests such as x-rays and laboratory tests.
The information gathered from the CT scan is loaded into a three-dimensional treatment-planning software system to precisely define the treatment area. Healthcare professionals who specialize in the administration of radiation therapy create a treatment plan for how much radiation the patient needs and how it is delivered.
When the plan is ready, the first treatment is scheduled.
Individualized treatment designed for you
Given the differences in people and cancers, treatment is customized for each individual. Patients receive specific information about the length and frequency of treatments, which are given Monday through Friday. Treatments may be changed several times as the tumor responds to treatment, prescribed doses are reached, or patients' conditions change.
After treatment is completed, follow-up visits continue. Our team will help you schedule these checkups and ensure that we remain vigilant about your health.
