Content Overview
- Summary
- A Checklist To Consider If You Are Going To Have Radiation Therapy
- The External Beam Radiation Team
- The Setting In Which EBRT Is Given
- What Happens During A Planning Session Before Your First Radiation Treatment
- What Happens During An EBRT Treatment
- Side Effects From External Radiation: During Treatment
Rectal/Colon Cancer: Before Start of External Beam Radiation Treatment (EBRT)
What Happens During An EBRT Treatment
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External radiation treatment is usually given at a set time on set days of the week.
Before treatment begins
Generally, you change into a hospital gown. You can bring one of your own design. If you are interested in making your own, for a pattern, see the document in "To Learn More." Alternatively, gowns designed for purchase are also available. For instance, see www.healingthreads.com )
Then you will be taken into a treatment room which generally has thick concrete walls and lead-lined doors to protect people outside the treatment area from radiation.
You will be assisted onto the table or into the chair in which you will receive treatment.
Blood may be drawn from time to time before the procedure starts to check your levels of white cells and platelets. They may become abnormally low during treatment.
Radiation treatment is not invasive or painful so there is no need for anesthesia.
It will take the technician time to position you beneath the radiation unit. The tech may take a picture before treatment starts to be sure the field is aligned correctly.
The technician will leave the room during treatment. You will be able to communicate via an intercom. The technician will also be able to visually observe you.
Expect to be weighed at least once a week to see whether you are maintaining your normal weight. You may either lose or gain weight during treatment.
In some instances, your bladder may be filled with saline water prior to treatment. The idea is to protect the small intestine by moving it away from the treatment area.
The treatment
The actual treatment will generally only be a few minutes long.
You don't have to hold your breath. You will be able to breathe the whole time. (The whole appointment usually lasts fifteen minutes to a half hour).
During treatment you should feel no pain, heat or other sensation. Some people report a feeling of being energized in the treated area during treatment.
Treatment for rectal cancer is generally four to six weeks.
Immediately after treatment
If you find you get queasy after treatment, let your radiation oncologist know immediately. He or she can prescribe anti-nausea medication.
If you experience nausea, consider not eating for several hours before and after each treatment. (There are other practical tips for dealing with nausea: see: To Learn More)
Activities during treatment:
- You can generally can continue your regular schedule during radiation treatment, including exercise. Describe your general routine to your doctor to be safe.
- When it comes to exercise, check with your radiation oncologist. Even swimming is likely to be okay once skin markers are made permanent if you don’t let your skin become too dry.
- Listen to your body and take good care of yourself.
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