Trilogy™ System | Radiation Oncology | Radiation Oncology Team

Treatment

A diagnosis of cancer opens the door to a new world of unfamiliar medical terms and a wide range of treatment therapies. We'll break it all down for you and take you step-by-step through the treatment process. We'll also tell you about our care team members who will assist you on your personal path to healing.

Types of Medical Therapy

Chemotherapy – Chemotherapy may be taken by pill or it may be injected into a vein or muscle using a needle. Chemotherapy is called a systemic treatment because the medication enters the bloodstream, travels through the body and is able to kill the cancer cells throughout the body.

Biological Response Modifiers and Immunotherapy – Biological response modifiers or immunotherapy are given to help the body fight the cancer. These medications boost or restore the body's natural defenses against the disease. Many times these medications are given in addition to chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

Hormone Therapy – A form of treatment that either decreases the level of hormones in the body, or increases them based on the type of cancer. For example, female hormones are given for prostate cancer to decrease the male hormones, which can cause the cancer to grow. Hormones may also be used in the treatment of breast cancer to change the way hormones work to keep the cancer from growing.

Hematology Services for Patients with Blood Disorders – Our cancer specialists are also trained in diagnosing and treating blood disorders. Consultations and therapies are available for diseases such as anemia, thrombocytopenia, pancytopenia and other blood disorders.

Pharmacy Services – The Cancer Center has a dedicated oncology pharmacy located adjacent to the treatment area.

In-Patient Treatment

Some treatments require the patient's admission to the hospital. To accommodate our patients during therapy, the Oncology Unit at The Williamsport Hospital & Medical Center employs chemotherapy-certified nurses to administer the therapy prescribed by the cancer specialist.

Radiation Oncology is the use of high-energy rays to damage cancer cells and stop them from multiplying. Radiation in the treatment of cancer differs from chemotherapy in that it is a local treatment, affecting cancer cells only in the area being treated.

Side effects from radiation oncology depend greatly on the part of the body undergoing treatment and the dosage given. Patients commonly experience tiredness, rashes or redness of the skin in the treated area and loss of appetite. Most of these side effects are not permanent.

First Visit – Consultation

You will meet with your Radiation Oncologist on the first visit, which is called a consultation. He evaluates your need for Radiation Therapy. Together, you will decide on the best plan for you. If Radiation Therapy is indicated, you will be scheduled for a second visit. This first visit takes approximately 90 minutes.

Second Visit – Simulation

Simulation is the process of placing you in the best position for your daily treatments. A Radiation Therapist and your Radiation Oncologist mark small dots on your skin to target the area to be treated. Immobilization devices such as casts or a mask are made to help you remain still for each treatment. Then you lie down on a flat table and X-rays or CT scans are taken of the area to be treated. This process takes approximately 90 minutes. Before you leave, the Radiation Therapist will schedule you for the next visit to film a dry run. This could be from one to two weeks later. During this time, your X-ray or CT information is sent to the planning computer.

Treatment Planning

Planning is the process of looking at your X-ray or CT simulation information to develop a treatment plan according to the Radiation Oncologist. This is done on a highly sophisticated computer system. Here your Radiation Oncologist, Medical Physicist and Dosimetrist develop the best plan for you.

Third Visit – Treatment Machine Filming (Dry Run)

The "Dry Run" is filming of the treatment target area on the treatment machine. No treatment occurs during the dry run – only filming of images. The Radiation Therapist explains the process and places you in the proper position on the treatment table. Then X-ray images of your treatment area are taken to confirm that they exactly match your treatment plan. Your Radiation Oncologist views these films while you are on the table. The Radiation Therapist also checks measurements and your position while you are on the table. This process takes about 45 minutes. The Therapist will then schedule you for daily treatments.

Daily Treatments

The painless daily treatments are similar to the dry run, but they will only take about 10-20 minutes, since the measurements and the doctor review are already done. During the treatment, you are in the room by yourself, but the Radiation Therapist monitors you from outside. The machine makes a buzzing sound when you are receiving the treatment. The physician will order filming (imaging) as needed for you.

Radiation Oncologists

Radiation Oncologists specialize in the use of radiation in the treatment of cancer. They perform the initial evaluation to determine if radiation therapy is necessary. They then lead a team of medical professionals to formulate and carry out a sophisticated plan of treatment customized to your particular case. All of our doctors are board-certified by the American College of Radiation Oncology in the specialty of Therapeutic Radiology.

Medical Physicists

Working directly with the Radiation Oncologist, Medical Physicists create a specific plan of radiation therapy. At Susquehanna Health, Medical Physicists are board-certified in Radiation Therapy Physics and receive advanced training in the technical delivery of radiation therapy to the patient. They are also involved in quality control – they're responsible for assuring that the equipment utilized in delivering radiation oncology is functioning properly.

Medical Dosimetrists

Medical Dosimetrists work with the Medical Physicist and Radiation Oncologist to help formulate a customized treatment plan for you. Dosimetrists have received advanced training in the treatment planning process, which involves determining the number of treatment beams, the angles of the beam, and the amount of radiation per beam in order to achieve a desired dose of radiation toward a given area. Dosimetrists are also trained to know how to reduce the doses of radiation to normal tissues in order to reduce unwanted side effects of treatment. Our Dosimetrists are board-certified by the American Registry of Radiological Technology (ARRT and CMD).

Radiation Therapists

Radiation Therapists work directly on the treatment machines in order to administer the treatment. They position you on the table for treatment, set up the machine, and actually deliver the treatment under the direction of the Radiation Oncologist, Medical Physicist and Dosimetrist. The Radiation Therapists at Susquehanna Health are board-certified by the American Registry of Radiological Technology (ARRT).

Radiation Oncology Nurses

Radiation Oncology Nurses work closely with all members of your care team to ensure you receive the highest level of nursing care during your treatments. All of our oncology nurses hold BSN degrees and are members of the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS). In addition, they all must maintain their oncology nursing certifications. Our nurses have an excellent track record in patient care – regular patient surveys conducted quarterly show, on average, a 97% approval rating.

Radiation Secretary

Our Radiation Secretary meets with you when you first arrive to obtain your personal information and insurance information.

Dietitians

Our Registered Dietitians are available to provide nutritional counseling during your cancer treatment. They work closely with your cancer care team to create individualized nutritional programs especially designed for cancer patients.

Social Worker

Our Social Worker has more than 15 years of experience counseling cancer patients. She can help with any special needs you may have, including providing emotional support for you and your family during your treatment. She can also help with insurance forms, prescription assistance, fitting for wigs and arranging transportation to and from the Cancer Center.