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  Radiation Oncology

 

          
  Treatment with carefully-dosed radiation is a very effective way to reduce and inhibit growth of cancer cells in many cases Radiation has long been used for treatment of cancer, and as technology improves, we continue to make great strides in treatment of many different types of cancer. 

The Radiation Oncology Center where the SIRA radiologists work is owned and operated by the Bloomington Hospital. Its employees are employed by the hospital. 

In this way, the community can have the best in radiation oncology technology available to you. In our Bloomington Center, we have an external beam machine, a Varian 2100C. Our Bedford Center has a Varian 600C. We are involved in other radiation treatment modalities such as the use of radiation implants for prostate or cervical cancers.

Our affiliation with the Bloomington Hospital also permits us active involvement in several exciting research protocols representing the cutting edge of modern cancer treatment. 

 

 

Radiation Oncology Office at the intersection of Tapp Road and SR 37

 

  
 

 

  
  How radiation treatment works. 
Our technologists, working with our state-of-the-art technology, will target your cancer cells with a concentrated dose of radiation. The goal is for the radiation to damage your cancer cells enough that your own body's immune system can overcome them. Thus during this time, it is very important  that you work with your health-care providers on methods to strengthen your own body's immune system. These will likely include quitting smoking, moderating alcohol intake, eating for good health, and getting appropriate exercise.

 

  

Your treatment will consist of five daily treatments followed by two days during which your normal cells have a chance to recuperate and strengthen after the five days of active work they are doing in killing the cancer cells. These days of "rest" are crucial in your healing process.

 

  
 

 

  
  Your consultation.
When you arrive for your first appointment, you will meet with one of our radiation oncologists, a physician who is board-certified in the specialized field of Radiation Oncology. During your consultation, you will learn about different treatment options for your particular cancer. You may bring a family member with you for this consultation. 

 

 

  

If you should opt for radiation therapy, we will work with you to set up appointments for your treatments that fit as well as possible with your schedule. (Our Centers are open 8 - 5 Monday through Friday. 

  
     

 

  
      Customizing your treatment.  In order to be sure that we are giving you the most effective treatment possible for your cancer, we will set up a diagnostic simulation. This is done in a room that looks very much like the treatment room. There, you will be positioned as you will be for your treatment. Then some x-rays and maybe a CT scan will be done to measure for your blocks. 

We make custom blocks for you that fit into our radiation machines in order to assure that your tumor gets the radiation and that minimal radiation gets to the surrounding tissue. When you come for your treatments, we will use these same blocks each time.

 		  

We take great care in seeing that everything is calculated properly as far as the positions for the machine, the fitting of your blocks, and the doses of radiation that your tumor will get. We have a physicist and a certified dosimetrist both actively involved in this process. All of your information will be carefully plotted into a special computer program so that each time you come for your treatment, it is almost automatic. The machines will "know" what settings to use!

 

 
     

 

  
      During the procedure. 
When you arrive for your procedure, you may have some paperwork to fill out or sign. After that you will be asked to undress, depending upon the part of your body that is to receive radiation. You should not wear metal buckles or snaps and you may be asked to remove jewelry. You will be given a gown to wear if you have to undress. 

 

  

You will be positioned precisely for your procedure. You may be lying on a special table and your technologist might use special pillows to keep your body in its proper position

You will experience no pain whatsoever from the radiation treatment itself.

 

  
     

 

  
      After the treatment.
Because the radiation is so concentrated, there is usually little damage to surrounding cells, so there are few or no side effects to the procedure. 

The radiation procedures are painless and quick. Often you will be finished with your appointment within a few minutes, free to resume your normal activities. A course of treatment can be expected to require five consecutive visits a week for two to eight weeks.

 		  

 

 
     

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Any information or advice found on these pages is approved by our medical staff for accuracy. However, your own situation may well be different from what is described here. Because visiting a website (any website) cannot be construed as forming a patient-physician relationship, we are not responsible or liable for any form of damages resulting from the use or misuse of information contained in or implied by the site. Although we hope that this information presented is helpful for you, we recommend that you consult your health care professional for advice regarding your own care. 

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