Initial Consultation

Before committing to having any cancer treatment, most people want more information. Prior to a consultation we provide educational material in print or online. At Premier Cancer Centers, we offer consultations where you may discuss your treatment goals as well as concerns and questions with our physicians. All you need to do is contact us and we will set an appointment where you can learn more and find out if Premier Cancer Centers is a good fit for you! During your consult, you will meet the radiation oncologist and get a tour of the facility. Be prepared to bring current copies of your labs, all pathology reports, all radiology written reports and your imaging CDs. We can also request these with your written permission from other offices. Please bring a list all medication, vitamins, or supplements you are taking as well as informing us if you smoke. This way we can take every precaution to ensure your treatments go well. Our physicians will discuss your suitability for treatments and what treatments will be performed. After you decide to have treatment, we will coordinate the dates and billing information and tell you how to prepare for your treatments. You can print new patient forms here, or you can arrive early to fill them out in our lobby.

Simulation CT Scan

Although you’ve probably received other diagnostic scans, we will need to do a simulation CT scan. This is what we call a “planning session”. We will put you into the position we will need you in everyday for treatment and take a CT scan of you in that position. From this scan, our dosimetrist will be able to utilize our complex treatment planning system to make a treatment that’s for you and only you!

Planning

After the CT scan is done in treatment position it is sent to the treatment planning computer. Outside CT scans, MRI or PET scans are fused with our simulation CT scan. The Radiation Oncologist and Dosimetrist create the planning volume to be treated. A treatment plan is created by the Dosimetrist to treat the tumor volume to 100% of the prescribed dose and to reduce the dose to normal tissue and critical structures. The Radiation Oncologist reviews the treatment plan and approves the plan. The Physicist then runs a special Quality Assurance check to make sure the plan created is what the CyberKnife or Tomotherapy machine will deliver to the patient.

Treatments

Depending on the type of treatments selected for you, there will be different ways to prepare. We will discuss with you what you need to do the day before and the day of your treatments and what to expect after your treatments. Treatments lengths vary depending on patient and the machine used. We will call you when your plan is ready for a good time for your appointments.

Recovery

Congratulations! You’ve completed your radiation therapy! Our staff will advise you on what you need to do to ensure optimal recovery. Follow up consultations will allow our physicians to monitor the results of your treatments.