What happens during the procedure?
During external radiation treatment, a machine aims radiation energy in the form of photons or particle beams at the cancerous tissue. The amount of energy (also called the dose) required for treatment depends on where the cancer is located and how far below the surface of the skin the unhealthy cells lie. The machine is on for only a minute or two but treatment usually takes up to half an hour. The rest of the time involves preparation for the procedure. You may need daily treatment over a number of weeks.
With brachytherapy, the radioactive materials are implanted in your body. This may require surgery under general anesthesia. Some treatments are temporary while others are permanent. It is normal to spend several hours in the hospital for this procedure.
If general anesthesia is used, do not eat for 8 hours before the procedure. You may continue to drink clear liquids until 2 hours before the procedure. If your doctor has recommended different times, follow the timing recommended by your doctor.
Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications that you are taking. Also tell them about any medication allergies and medical conditions that you may have.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist whether you need to stop taking any of your medications before the procedure.
How should I prepare for this procedure?
Before the procedure, a planning session takes place using a simulator. The simulator machine helps the radiation therapist get a better look at the treatment area by taking pictures and scans. The therapist then puts small tattooed dots on the skin to mark the exact treatment area. During your simulation and at the time of the radiation procedure, it is very important to stay still to accurately define the treatment area and best target the cancer, and to avoid radiating healthy cells.
To treat the head and neck, a plastic mold is sometimes made to help you stay in the same position each time, so the same treatment area is always targeted.
Before the procedure, it's also important to discuss with your doctor your overall health as well as any medications you take. Different medications may have an effect on how you will feel after the treatment or how well the treatment works.
What can I expect after the procedure?
After external beam radiation, you will likely feel no different than before the procedure. You are not radioactive after this procedure. The possible side effects listed above may occur hours or days after the treatment After the procedure, you can return to your normal activities.
After brachytherapy, you will spend time recovering at the hospital. The radiation itself is painless, but the process of putting in the implants may cause some pain. It may be necessary for you to take pain medication depending on your level of discomfort.
If the amount of radiation in your implant is high, certain safety precautions may be needed to protect the people around you from radiation. Discuss this with your doctor.
Results
Your doctors will request ongoing tests during and after your treatment. Your doctor and other health care professionals will review these test results to determine if radiation therapy was successful. Often, the treatment's success is only apparent many weeks or months after it is complete.