Although you may have to modify some of your activities during treatment, we encourage you to continue your daily activities: seeing friends, working, and enjoying life. Radiation may cause some side effects, but most begin to disappear after treatment ends. The area where you receive treatment will usually determine the possible side effects. Your oncology team will fully explain any possible side effects and is always available to support you throughout your treatment. If you have any questions, we encourage you to ask. Your course of treatment usually consists of five treatments per week over a period of several weeks depending on the type of cancer and its location. Using external beam radiation with a machine known as a linear accelerator, beams of high-energy radiation are directed to the cancer site. On your first visit, you will meet with your radiation oncologist, a board-certified physician, for consultation. Your physician will discuss your medical history, examine you and review your medical records. It is very important that you bring, or make arrangements to have, your medical records with you during this first visit. Using the results of your consultation, your radiation oncologist, in conjunction with the radiation therapy team, will identify the exact treatment site. A machine known as a simulator aids your radiation therapy team to determine the exact treatment position. During your simulation, your radiation therapy team will use the simulator and laser light guides while making detailed notes to position you correctly each time you receive treatment. Markings will be placed on your skin identifying the area to be treated to make certain each treatment targets the same area. It is very important that your skin markings be kept intact during the course of treatment. During this treatment planning stage, the Cancer Care Center will complete a sophisticated "computerized treatment plan" using state-of-the-art technology. Your daily treatments take approximately 15 minutes. During your course of treatment, you will meet with your radiation oncologist regularly to monitor your progress or as needed. On the completion of your treatment, follow-up visits will be arranged. the first one is usually scheduled two weeks after completing treatment. Subsequent visits are arranged as necessary. Cancer Team || Treatment || Patient Checklist || Financial Q&A || Location || More Information || Outside Links