About Radiation Therapy

Click here for the Radiation Oncology brochure in PDF file format. To view the patient guide file Adobe Reader must be installed on your computer. Adobe Reader is a free program that can be downloaded from www.adobe.com

General Questions

• What is Radiation Oncology?
• How does radiation work?
• Will I become radioactive during my treatment?
• What are the side effects?
• What is the usual routine for radiation therapy treatments?

What is Radiation Oncology?

Radiation Oncology is the medical use of different kinds of radiation in the treatment of various diseases.  Commonly used are x-rays, gamma rays and electrons.  Each is produced by different kinds of equipment, but all of them are used to destroy abnormal cells while preserving the normal, surrounding tissue.

In many cases, radiation therapy is the single best method for the treatment of diseases such as cancer, but it may also be combined with surgery and/or chemotherapy. At Stony Brook Medical Center, most of our treatments are given with x-rays and electron beams generated by machines called linear accelerators. Theses machines are located in the main hospital in specially shielded areas to protect both the patients and staff during the treatment program.

Providing radiation therapy is a team effort. The team is headed by the radiation oncologists, a physician specializing in radiation therapy, who is assisted by radiation oncology nurses, medical physicists, radiation therapists, and social workers. Each team member is trained, certified, or licensed as a specialist.

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How does radiation work?

When radiation enters your body, it is absorbed by both normal and abnormal cells. It damages cancer cells by breaking up the DNA strands in the nucleus of the cell. If sufficient damage is inflicted, then the cell cannot continue to grow and reproduce, and usually dies. Normal body cells are also damaged by radiation. However, usually a smaller proportion of then are so affected, and in some cases normal cells are more capable of repairing radiation damage. Thus, the damage to tumor cells usually outweighs that to normal cells. The goal of your radiation therapy team is to minimize any unnecessary damage to your healthy cells, while successfully eradicating the malignant cells.

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Will I become radioactive during my treatment?

Radiation Oncology includes two basic categories of treatment, Radiation Therapy and Brachytherapy.

With Radiation Therapy you will not become radioactive. You can interact with friends and family members in a normal manner.

If you undergo some forms of Brachytherapy and are sent home with an implant , you will be advised about any restrictions regarding friends and family.

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What are the side effects?

While undergoing radiation, the symptoms of cancer are often relieved and you will actually feel better. However, because of the effects of radiation on your normal tissues, you may experience certain side effects. These will depend on the part of your body being treated, the amount of radiation you are given, and your body's individual response. It is important to keep in mind that most side effects can be controlled with medication, diet and other appropriate measures. Most people receiving therapy lead normal lives and can continue work during their treatment. Most of the side effects from your treatments will gradually diminish within a few weeks after therapy has been completed. Patients may experience some degree of fatigue during the course of their treatments. This may persist for a few weeks after the end of the therapy. Please remember that this fatigue has nothing to do with your disease and that it is the most common side effect of your treatment, one which will gradually disappear. Before your treatment begins, the radiation oncologist and the nurse will discuss what other possible side effects, if any, might occur and what measures you can take to control or relieve them. They are also available every day to evaluate any side effects you may be having or to answer any questions you have.

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What is the usual routine for radiation therapy treatments?

First, always be sure to check-in at the main reception desk. Our receptionist will check you into our computer system which notifies your Radiation Therapist of your arrival for treatment. While at the reception desk you may validate your parking ticket or wait until after treatment. Once checked in you will walk across the hall to the Patient Waiting Room. Due to the seating limitations we ask that all friends and family members wait in the main reception seating area unless needed for assistance.

Please wait in the Patient Waiting Room until you are called for treatments.

Within the waiting room, to the right, are changing rooms with a supply of patient gowns and cubbyholes for clothing and personal articles outside. Not all patients need to wear gowns. Your Radiation Therapists will tell you whether or not to change into a gown for treatment. For some treatments, just wearing loose clothing that can be opened or moved easily is sufficient. Clothing items should be left in a cubbyhole after changing. Valuables should not be left in the changing room or cubbyholes. When possible, please leave your purse or wallet with a friend or family member prior to begining each treatment. Currently the Radiation Oncology Department has three radiation therapy treatment machines. As a radiation therapy patient you would have been scheduled a specific time slot for a specific machine. As soon as all patients with earlier appointments are treated you will be called in for treatment as soon as possible.

Your first treatment is usually longer while the Radiation Therapist performs the intial treatment setup and verifies all information prior to your first treatment.

It is routine once a week or whenever a change to treatment occurs to be given a port film prior to treamtent to verify the treatment setup

Once a week or evey five treatments you will see your Radiation Oncologist after you check in and prior to treatment. This is for you Radiation Oncologist and Nurse to see how well you are tolerating your treatments and to answer any questions you may have. If at anytime you have a question for your Radiation Oncologist you can always let our staff know or call.