Consultation (First Visit)

A complete medical history and physical exam will be performed by our team of dedicated Physician Assistants or Radiation Oncology Residents. Your case is reviewed by your Radiation Oncologist who will then meet with you to discuss the specifics regarding your case and present treatment options.

If radiation therapy is selected as the best course of treatment for you, the next step will be a simulation appointment.

Simulation /CT Planning

A simulation is a treatment planning appointment, which may take place on the same day as your first visit or may be scheduled for another day in the near future. This appointment occurs in the Radiation Department, and lasts approximately 1 to 2 hours. The simulation involves technical planning used to determine the specific area of the body where your treatment will be delivered.

• You will not be receiving radiation treatment on this day. 
• You will be informed of any instructions or restrictions prior to your visit.
• The machine used, called a simulator, is a specialized X-Ray machine that takes images of the treatment area, as determined by your physician.  
• In addition, a treatment planning CT scan, sometimes with contrast injection, may be performed to determine your treatment area. 
• Various treatment aids such as a headrest, face mask, body mold, or other device may be utilized during the simulation process, as well as during the course of treatment, to enhance accuracy and safety.
• Temporary markings will be made directly on the skin using a pen or tiny dots of permanent ink to aid the therapist in reproducing the same body position on a daily basis for your treatments.
• A picture of you will be taken and used for identification for daily treatments.
• Daily (Monday-Friday) treatment appointments will be arranged for you.
• Your first scheduled treatment appointment is not an actual treatment, but rather a ‘dry run’, to check all aspects of your treatment plans for accuracy. 
• Generally, the first radiation treatment is given the day after the ‘dry run.’

Treatment Plan Development

After simulation, the Radiation Oncologist, Medical Physicist and Medical Dosimetrist work together to develop your specific treatment plan. This planning process may take several days or weeks to complete. To learn more about your treatment click here.

Treatment Appointments

The department has a dedicated free parking lot for all patients undergoing daily radiation treatments. The therapist at your treatment machine will issue you a parking permit at the time of your first treatment. It is very important for you to display your parking permit in your vehicle while you are having your treatment. Security may ticket your vehicle if a permit is not displayed.

• You will be informed of any pre-treatment instructions or restrictions prior to your first scheduled treatment appointment.
• Daily appointments are scheduled Monday to Friday (closed on Federal Holidays) for the duration of prescribed treatment time. Allow 15-30 minutes daily, although actual treatment time may be 5-10 min. 
• If you are unable to make an appointment it is very important that you notify us, so that changes can be made to your treatment plan if needed. During business hours call (716) 845-3174, after hours or on weekends call (716) 845-2300.
• When you arrive, please check in at the reception desk and feel free to ask for assistance or guidance to your treatment machine (Linear Accelerator).
• The therapy team may request that you change into a gown or remove an article of clothing so that the treatment area and ink marks are visible.
• Radiation Therapists will take you into the treatment area and prepare you for your treatment. 
• When treatment begins, you will be alone in the treatment room, but are continuously monitored by your team of therapists through surveillance cameras and intercom.
• You will not see or feel anything as you are being treated, but you will hear the machine running. 
• During the course of your treatment, x-rays called ‘portal films’ are taken to verify that you are in the correct treatment position.
• Should symptoms, concerns or questions arise, you can be seen by your clinical team any day of the week, please inform your therapist and they will notify a member of your clinical team of your request for a visit with them after your daily treatment.
  

Physician Visits

One day each week during treatment is set aside for a brief visit with your Radiation Oncologist to touch base regarding your treatment. This is called an “OTV” or “On-Treatment Visit.” This is an opportunity for your physician to monitor your progress, as well as assess and manage any treatment-related side effects.

This is also a time for you to discuss with them any concerns you may have. Again, if you ever have questions or concerns, even if it is not your designated “OTV” day to see your Radiation Oncologist, please feel free to ask your therapist or other members of your clinical team for assistance.

Follow-Up Visits

Follow up care after treatment for cancer is important. Even when the cancer seems to have been completely removed or destroyed, the disease sometimes returns because undetected cancer cells remained somewhere in the body after treatment.

• Your Medical Oncologist will monitor your recovery and check for recurrence of the cancer. Checkups help ensure that any changes in your health are noted. Between scheduled visits you should contact the Medical Oncologist as soon as any health problems appear.
• Your Radiation Oncologist will determine what follow-up visits and diagnostic imaging studies are necessary for our review. If necessary, appointments for follow-up visits will be scheduled at or near the completion of your treatment.