Radiation therapy

As part of our health network's comprehensive oncology program, HCA Midwest Health hospitals provide access to clinical trials and perform radiation therapy during cancer treatment for reasons including:

• Before surgery, to shrink a cancerous tumor (neoadjuvant therapy)
• During surgery, to direct large doses of radiation directly at a tumor
• After surgery, to stop the growth of any remaining cancer cells (adjuvant therapy)
• In combination with chemotherapy or other treatments
• Decreasing pressure or pain from a tumor (palliative care)

Several steps are involved in planning your radiation therapy, including:

• Simulation: The purpose of the simulation is to identify the treatment area. A dedicated CT simulation machine mimics a linear accelerator (the machine that delivers the actual treatment). It produces diagnostic quality X-rays to verify the position of the anatomy being treated.
• Post-simulation: Once the simulation is completed, your skin may be marked with small dots of permanent ink ("tattoos"). These dots outline the area of radiation and ensure the therapists can treat you accurately each day. If needed, custom immobilization devices will be made for you at the simulation time to help keep the precise position daily. Once the simulation is completed, a unique treatment plan is created using the information gathered.
• Trial run: The next phase is a trial run, called a set-up, using the actual treatment machine. Special X-rays, called electronic portal images or port films, will be taken to show the X-ray beam path(s). These will be compared to the plans done by the treatment planning team. If your doctor agrees that this is the most effective plan, you are ready to begin treatment.

We want you to be as comfortable as possible during your radiation treatments. You can expect:

• Your experienced radiation oncologist will determine the number of treatments you will need based on your personalized treatment plan.
• Radiation treatments are delivered on consecutive weekdays and with weekends off. Some patients are treated twice a day, depending on the type of cancer.
• In most cases, you will need to change into a gown for treatment. You will then be escorted into the treatment room by a certified radiation therapist who will administer your treatment.
• Treatment times vary and could range from a few minutes to 30 minutes based on your plan.
• You will be in communication with and viewed by your radiation therapist via an intercom system and monitored at all times during your treatment.
• Once the treatment session is completed, your radiation therapist will help you off the table. You can get dressed and resume your normal schedule. You are not radioactive and do not need to avoid other people because of your treatment.

Potential side effects of treatment usually occur in the area of the body being treated. Some patients have no side effects. If side effects occur, most can be controlled with medications or diet and usually go away within a few weeks after the treatment ends.

An on-treatment visit (OTV) occurs on a specific day of the week. During this visit, your radiation oncologist and nurse evaluate you during the treatment. They will monitor your progress and help you manage any side effects.

You will receive post-therapy and follow-up instruction at the end of your course of radiation therapy.