Radiation Therapy: What to Expect
First Visit
Peer Review Status: Internally Reviewed by Cancer Center Staff
Creation Date: October 2002
Last Review Date: November 2006
When radiation therapy might be of help, a family doctor, surgeon or medical oncologist (a doctor who specializes in treating cancer with medicines) will refer patients to a radiation oncologist.
The physician will first review all your medical records and x-rays. A physical examination will be done.
The physician will then talk to you about his/her findings and decides on how you should be treated. If a course of radiation will be of help to you, you will be scheduled for the necessary studies to assist in the development of a treatment plan. This is sometimes referred to as simulation.
During simulation, the therapist takes x-rays of the part of your body to be treated to help determine how the radiation will be directed to your body. Using the x-ray as a guide to the treatment site, the therapist uses a marker to outline the treatment area on your skin. These marks are very important. They act as a map of the treatment area and the therapist uses them each day to guide your treatment. Sometimes after a few treatments, tiny permanent dots, called tattoos, can be used to replace the painted marks on your skin.
To learn more about radiation therapy, contact the Cancer Information Service at: cancer-information@uiowa.edu or 1-800-237-1225.
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