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Never miss a beat

Video Series: What to Expect from Radiation Therapy Treatment

By Adult Congenital Heart Disease Center, September 7, 2015

If you have cancer, there are a number of treatment options. One of the most common is radiation therapy. Radiation therapy is used to treat a wide variety of cancers, and may be used alone or in conjunction with other cancer treatments such as chemotherapy or surgery. Each patient’s treatment will be determined by his/her doctors depending on the type and stage of cancer.

Radiation works to shrink or eliminate tumors, and prevent from cancer reoccurring. It does this by damaging the DNA molecules in the cancer cells, so they stop dividing or die. This type of cancer treatment can be delivered by:

A machine outside of body
Radiation materials placed inside the body
Injection into the blood stream

Radiation treatment may be one of the most intimidating parts of a cancer journey. It can be hard to know what to expect in regards to what the treatment is like, if it hurts, how long does it last, and more.

Read the articles below to find out what to expect before, during, and after radiation treatment for cancer.

Undergoing treatment for cancer is never an easy process. However, knowing what to expect makes things a little easier for you and your loved ones.

Your First Visit to a UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Radiation Oncology Site
You may be wondering what to expect when you go in for your first visit. Plan to be there for two hours. Read More
Preparing for Simulation Planning Session
Plan to spend one to two hours at the facility. The Simulation Planning session is when your Radiation Oncology team maps out the treatment on your body. Read More
How is Your Cancer Treatment Planned and Validated?
Before you start your radiation treatment, your Radiation Oncology team validates your treatment plan to make sure it is the best for you. Read More
Verification and Cancer Treatment Set-Up Day
This is an important last step in the process before treatment begins. Think of this as a practice run. Read More
Radiation Therapy Follow-Up Appointment
Expect to be at your appointment for 45 minutes. Depending on the type of radiation treatment you and your doctor have agreed upon, your medical team will let you know what you can expect with each type. In most cases, you'll relax on a treatment table so that radiation can be aimed at the correct part of the body where it is supposed to be targeted. After you've received your radiation treatment, your doctor and/or medical team will let you know when it's okay to get up and go about your usual Read More
What Is Stereotactic Radiosurgery?
There are different types of radiation therapy. Here's what to expect if you will be receiving Stereotactic Radiosurgery. Read More
Brachytherapy Treatment: What to Expect
Some patients receive brachytherapy, where high doses of radiation are placed inside the body. Read More
Radiation Therapy Follow-Up Appointment
Follow-up appointments help your cancer care team understand how you're feeling and continue to monitor your health. Read More
Radiation Treatment through Syed or Y-Applicator
If you receive brachytherapy through Syed or Y-Applicator, you will have to remain in the hospital for a few days. Read More

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