Preparing for Radiation Therapy

At Fox Chase Cancer Center, our team of highly trained physicians, nurses, radiation oncology physicist, dosimetrists and radiation therapists work with patients to deliver high quality radiation treatments. Your radiation oncologist will explain the expected benefits, risks and outcomes of your radiation therapy.

There are several steps in planning your radiation therapy.

You will return for a simulation, or “trial run,” using the treatment machine. You will be placed on the machine in your simulation position and special X-rays called electronic portal images will be taken to show the path of the X-ray beams.

The simulation machine mimics the movements of the machine that delivers the actual treatment. The CT simulator produces diagnostic quality X-rays to verify the position of the area to be treated.

Your skin will then be marked with small dots to outline the area of radiation and ensure that the therapists can treat you accurately each day. If needed, custom immobilization devices will be made for you during the simulation step, in order to help you maintain the precise position every day of treatment.

Your team of doctors will develop a treatment plan using information gathered during the simulation phase.

The electronic portal images will be compared to the plans made by your treatment planning team, and if your doctor agrees radiation is the most effective plan, your treatment will begin.