Radiation therapy is a form of cancer treatment that uses radiation (x-rays) to destroy cancer cells. This page will help you understand radiation therapy, what it is, and the process of treatment.	About Radiation Therapy
An understanding of the process begins with an explanation of what radiation therapy is and how it works.	What Is It?
The process begins with simulation.	Simulation
Based upon the information from simulation, your radiation therapist will create a plan suited to your needs.	Treatment Planning
Once your radiation therapist and doctor have finalized your plan, your treatment can begin.	Treatment
Finally, what you need to bring to your first appointment.	Patient Information

What is Radiation Therapy?

Your radiation oncologist has prescribed radiation therapy as part of your overall treatment, which may also include surgery or chemotherapy. Radiation therapy is a form of cancer treatment that uses radiation (x-rays) to destroy cancer cells. The radiation treatment is delivered using a machine called a linear accelerator.

Radiation therapy is a localised treatment which means that the treatment is delivered to a specific area of your body. Cancer cells are destroyed because they are more sensitive to radiation than normal cells. The normal cells in the treated area will be affected to some extent, but they have the ability to repair themselves against the damage.

Your doctor will decide the total dose and number of treatments you will have depending on the type of cancer and the area being treated. The dose that is delivered each day is determined by your radiation oncologist and is referred to as your prescription. They will provide you with information about the side effects of your treatment.

Simulation

Before the treatment can start, you will need to attend a planning appointment where your treatment will be simulated. You will not receive any treatment at this appointment but you will be placed in the treatment position and will have a CT scan. This scan will provide important information needed to plan your treatment. Your radiation oncologist may also ask that you have contrast for this scan which is used to highlight certain internal anatomy on your scan.

When having radiation treatment, it is very important that you remain as still as possible. To help with this, the radiation therapists may use different equipment to support your body and keep you comfortable...

Radiation Therapy Equipment Used

There are many types of devices available and the radiation therapist will decide what is most suitable. Examples of these include:

Equipment list here

For some patients, permanent small tattoo dots may be required to help position you for your treatment. These dots are placed on or close to the area of the body that will be treated and are mainly used for patients having treatment on their chest, pelvis or limbs. They are very tiny dots and look like a small freckle.

Using all the information gathered from your planning sessions, the radiation oncologist and radiation therapist will design a treatment plan tailored specifically for your needs.

Treatment Planning

In some cases, you may have to wait a week or more to start your treatment even though you have had all the simulation. This is rarely due to waiting lists and more because it takes time for the radiation therapists and your oncologist to plan the treatment that is just right for you.

They have to ensure that all the tumour area is covered and also make sure that your normal tissue is receiving the lowest dose possible.

Once the plan is completed, it is then checked by a number of other professionals so that we can ensure that the treatment you receive is accurate.

Radiation Therapy Treatment

For your treatment, the staff will lead you into the treatment room and position you on the treatment couch in the same position you were in when you had the planning CT scan. The radiation therapists will adjust your position until you are in the correct position for treatment, after which it is important to keep still. The treatment position should be comfortable and you may breathe normally.

The staff will leave the room while you are receiving radiation. They will be watching you closely on TV monitors and treatment can be stopped at any time if necessary.

Your treatment may involve treating you from a number of different directions. The machine can rotate around you so it is not necessary for you to change positions.

You may be in the treatment room for up to 30 minutes; however the actual time the machine is on from each direction is very short. You will not feel or see anything while the radiation is being delivered but you may hear the machine operating.

Patient Information

It is important that you bring the following with you to your first appointment at the Alan Walker Cancer Care Centre:

• Referral letter
• Medicare card
• All scans and x-rays
• Past medical history
• List of medications
• List of any allergies