radiation

@bens1
Agree. Hope our posts know that at many treatments centers R/Os are very much involved with our treatments, and we do see them being involved.

I echo your experience with your R/O as that is exactly what I experienced at UFHPTI. And can see it is not uncommon practice with R/Os being involved and present before, during, after.

I am undergoing IMRT, right now, I am at session #8 of 28, this morning. I have a prostate tumor, right lymph node. Gleason 4+5. Been on ADT for 8 months before this. My radiation oncologist told me the radiation map is that my prostate tumor gets the largest dose, then the dose is tapered off to the lymph nodes and surrounding areas to treat any cancer they can’t see on imaging. The treatment is quick, they use a Halcyon machine, once in the machine it’s less than 5 minutes. The first treatment took a bit longer as my R/O had to sign off on the first setup. He meets with me once per week afterwards to discuss my side effects, etc. I enjoy the radiation techs setting me up and caring for me each session. Also made some friends in the radiation waiting room, which has free food and drinks. Very minor side effects so far, staying active greatly reduces any fatigue.

@surftohealth88
I know that both when I had IMRT for 7+ weeks and when I had SBRT for three different sessions, my radiation oncologist was not present during the sessions.

There’s not really anything for them to do. They’ve already set up the program for what is to be done and their presence would make no difference in the process.

Now, maybe for MRI radiation, where something unexpected could come up, An RO would be useful.

@surftohealth88, good question. Radiation therapy takes a team of people, some the patient sees, others work behind the scenes. Here are a few succinct definitions from the Canadian Cancer Societyvhttps://cancer.ca/en/treatments/treatment-types/radiation-therapy

Radiation therapy often involves a team of healthcare professionals:

- Radiation oncologist is a doctor who specializes in treating cancer with radiation therapy. They will order your radiation treatment, develop a treatment plan and oversee your treatments. They work closely with the rest of the radiation therapy team. They also work closely with the oncology surgeon and medical oncologist on your team.

- Radiation oncology nurse takes care of you while you are receiving radiation therapy.

- Medical physicist works with a radiation oncologist to plan your radiation treatment. They make sure the radiation therapy is delivered safely and the equipment and computer systems work properly.

- Dosimetrist develops the treatment plan and calculates the amount (dose) of radiation you will receive based on your treatment plan.

- Radiation therapist (or radiation oncology technologist) operates the radiation machines. They give you your daily treatment. They also work closely with radiation oncologists and the rest of the team to carry out your treatment plan.

I had very similar, Gleason 8 in 2 biopsy samples, 4 + 3 in another, 3 + 4 in another, and 2 lymph nodes positive - presacral and perirectal. I got a spacer, radiation to prostate and pelvic lymph nodes 25 IMRT each weekday then a 2 week break and 3 higher power SBRT to prostate and the 2 lymph nodes. Finished radiation at end of August. I had some minor to moderate urinary side effects during radiation and for about 2 to 3 weeks after but am mostly better now. My RO also mentioned some do 42 visits, but he has a preference for 28 with the 3 high power at the end.