Questions & Answers

Q: What are the effects of treatment?

A: External radiation therapy does not cause a patient’s body to become radioactive. Patients need not avoid being with other people because of treatment. Even hugging, kissing, or having sexual relations with others pose no risk to them of radiation exposure.

Side effects of radiation therapy most often are related to the area that is being treated. Most side effects that occur during radiation therapy are mild, not serious and can be controlled with medication or diet. They usually go away within a couple of weeks after treatment ends. With Dynamic Targeting IGRT, side effects are minimized, and some patients have no side effects at all. Nutrition and skin care are of most importance. There is much reduced skin irritation and tenderness with the modern IMRT treatment; you might have heard in the past of bad skin reactions with conventional radiation, but this is much less common with the most modern treatment. You will be monitored very closely during the course of treatment for all possible effects and medications and other support will be given. It is important to continue to receive radiation treatment even if side effects do occur. Sometimes a treatment break is necessary, but there is a careful balance between taking breaks for healing and compromising the treatment course, so frequent discussions with your medical team is necessary.

Q: How will IMRT affect my daily routine?

A: There are no restrictions or limitations on your daily activities when receiving treatment. Listen to your body and allow yourself the extra rest you may need. Your medical team will help you in all ways to maximize your activities and life enjoyment during this process. It is important to communicate with your medical team, and your family and caregivers, and others who rely on you, exactly what you are feeling and what you are able to do. If your energy level decreases, it should return to normal within a few weeks after treatment ends.

Q: How will my eating be affected?

A: There should be no direct effect by the radiation. However, mild nausea may occur and should be easily managed.

Q: What are the long-term affects?

A: Long term effects of radiation are again much reduced with the use of IMRT radiotherapy. This will be discussed at consultation, and depends on the individual clinical situation and site being treated.

Q: Is IMRT Covered in All Cases?

A: Medicare and most private insurances do cover IMRT. But there are cases where it is not covered, which our radiation societies and large institutions are working hard to change. In case IMRT is not covered, the next best thing of sophisticated field in field 3-D treatment with similar image guidance will be used, which in most cases is adequate. Our linear accelerator is able to deliver 3-D treatment in the most modern way. However, in the case that this is not found to be equivalent, your physician will work hard on your behalf to obtain coverage for IMRT itself.