Q. Is radiation therapy dangerous?
A. Although extraordinary precautions are taken to prevent it, there is always the chance that some healthy cells may be destroyed during treatment. However, the benefits derived from killing cancer cells usually outweigh the risks.
Q. Will RT make me radioactive?
A. No, patients who undergo external radiation therapy do not become radioactive.
Q. Do the treatments hurt?
A. Although some patients have reported a feeling of warmth or tingling in the treatment area, there is usually no pain associated with radiation therapy. The experience is much like getting an X-ray.
Q. Are there side effects from radiation therapy?
A. There may be, but they are generally mild and easily managed, and they usually disappear within a few weeks after the final treatment. The most commonly reported side effects are nausea, loss of appetite and fatigue. Some patients experience no side effects. In general, the type of side effect a patient may experience depends on the type of treatment and area of the body being treated.
Q. How many treatments will I need?
A. The number of treatments required will be determined by your radiation oncologist. He or she will design a personalized course of treatment to meet your specific needs. In most cases, radiation treatments are given daily Monday through Friday over a period of four to seven weeks.
Q. How long will each treatment take?
A. You should plan on an hour for each appointment, but the radiation treatment itself usually takes just a few minutes. Your first treatment will, understandably, take longer than most subsequent treatments.
Q. What happens if I miss a treatment?
A. It's the total course of radiation therapy that influences your condition most, not any one specific treatment. If you should need to cancel an appointment because of illness or another unavoidable circumstance, we will make every effort to reschedule the appointment as soon as possible.
Q. What happens when my course of treatment is finished?
A. You will be referred back to your primary-care physician. Your radiation oncologist will also follow you on a regular basis.
Q. What is protocol treatment?
A. Your radiation oncologist or another of your physicians may invite you to participate in a clinical research program called a protocol. By participating, you may have the opportunity to receive treatment not available outside of a protocol. You must give written permission to be involved with such a program. It is ultimately your decision whether or not you would like to participate. Feel free to ask your doctor if protocols exist for your particular problem.
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