Frequently Asked Questions About Radiation Therapy

Fatigue is the most common side effect experienced by radiation patients. Radiation can also cause redness, dryness and irritation of the skin in the treatment area. These short-term side effects will depend upon the area treated and how many treatments you receive. Each patient is unique and may react differently. Your radiation oncologist can provide more detail on what you may encounter and your care team will help you minimize any side effect.

Your cancer care team can give you advice based on your treatment plan and the side effects you might have. In general, follow these tips:

• Get plenty of rest.
• Eat a balanced, healthy diet.
• Speak with your cancer care team about all medicines, supplements and herbal remedies you are taking.
• Be careful with soaps, lotions, deodorants, cosmetics or anything else that may irritate the skin in the area being treated.

Beaufort - Keyserling Cancer Center

989 Ribaut Road, Suite 130, Beaufort, South Carolina 29902

The entrance to the radiation oncology suite is on the backside of the Beaufort Medical Plaza building, facing the river.

Bluffton/Okatie - New River Cancer Center

122 Okatie Center Boulevard North, Suite 130, Okatie, South Carolina 29909

The radiation oncology suite is on the first floor of the Okatie Medical Pavilion. Doors will be on your left after passing the elevators.

Beaufort - Keyserling Cancer Center

Parking is available on the backside of the Beaufort Memorial Medical Plaza building near the entrance to the radiation oncology suite (989 Ribaut Road, Suite 130, Beaufort, South Carolina 29902).

Bluffton/Okatie - New River Cancer Center

Parking is available in front of the building (122 Okatie Center Blvd. North, Okatie, South Carolina 29909).

During your initial consultation, you will meet your radiation oncologist to review all of your medical records and any recent tests, scans (CT scan or MRI) or X-rays, and discuss your treatment options. You should bring:

• Any imaging reports, lab tests or pathology reports that weren’t conducted at Beaufort Memorial.
• A current list of all medications, supplements and herbal remedies you take with the dosage and how often you take them.
• Your health insurance card(s).
• Any co-payment required by your insurance.
• A list of any questions you may have for your doctor and a pen and paper to write down the answers. You may also wish to have a family member or friend come with you to help listen to what the doctor says and take notes for you.

Most patients will not receive treatment on their first day. After speaking with the doctor and deciding on a course of treatment, you will be given an appointment to come back for a treatment planning CT. This CT is not diagnostic in nature. It is merely an advanced tool to aid in the accuracy of your radiation therapy planning.

The treatment planning CT generally takes about an hour. You will lie still and breathe normally during the scan. The radiation oncologist will review any special aids we might use during your treatment planning CT during the initial consultation.

Treatment tattoos are tiny permanent dots the size of a freckle used to position you for treatment. Although most patients will have both tattoos and permanent marker marks, only the tattoos are permanent. If this is a concern, please speak with your radiation oncologist about possible alternatives.

A linear accelerator, or LINAC, generates high-energy X-ray beams and is equipped with an imaging system that precisely targets the tumor and minimizes exposure to surrounding healthy tissue. The LINAC rotates around your body to precisely deliver radiation therapy from nearly any angle.

Generally there are no restrictions on when you eat or drink while undergoing treatment. However, depending on the area of treatment, your care team may have specific guidelines for you.

Wear comfortable clothing that can be removed easily if necessary. Jewelry is fine as long as it is not located near the area of the body being treated. You may be asked to change into a gown before your treatment begins.

Port films are non-diagnostic X-rays that confirm the treatment area and allow your physician to verify that you are being treated correctly on the first day and on a weekly basis. Taking them will generally add 10 minutes to your regular treatment time length. Only bony anatomy (not soft tissue) is visible on our films.

The treatment itself does not cause pain. Some may find it uncomfortable to hold still in the treatment position for an extended period on the treatment table. Cushions and supports will be used to make it as comfortable as possible.

Your therapist is able to see and hear you throughout your treatment via video camera. If you happen to move the therapist will stop your treatment and come in the room to verify you are still positioned correctly.

No.

Radiation therapy may cause hair loss but only at the site being treated. For example, radiation to your scalp may cause you to lose hair at the treatment site. However, if you’re receiving radiation therapy in your breast area, then you will not lose the hair on your head. Radiation therapy is very precise and site specific.

We recommend that you come for treatments as scheduled. It is important for you to receive the total number of treatments prescribed by your radiation oncologist for the best possible results. However, if missing a treatment is necessary, please discuss it with the therapist and radiation oncologist.

Radiation treatments are generally scheduled Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The clinic is closed Saturday and Sunday, as well as major holidays.

Your nurse navigator will assist the team with coordinating your various appointments so everything is scheduled appropriately. If you have questions about the timing of your treatments, speak with your oncologist or nurse navigator.

During Treatment

• Use only mild soap and lukewarm water to wash the treatment area.
• Do not rub or scratch the skin.
• Avoid using anything hot or cold on the treatment area. This includes heating pads and ice packs.
• Do not use any lotions, powders, deodorants or perfumes on the treatment area unless your doctor or nurse says it is ok.
• Avoid sun exposure to the treatment area. On exposed skin, use a sunscreen with an SPF 15 or higher that is approved by your doctor or nurse. Wear protective clothing, such as hats and long-sleeve shirts.
• Notify your doctor or nurse of any skin irritation, blisters or open areas in the treatment site so they can help with care for the area.

After Treatment

• Continue to take special care of your skin until any reaction goes away. This usually happens within a few weeks after treatment ends. Sometimes the skin in the treatment area will remain darker than the rest of your skin.
• Avoid sun exposure to the treated area. Continue wearing protective clothing, and always use a sunscreen with an SPF 15 or higher on all exposed skin surfaces.