What to expect during your first visit to Princeton Radiation Oncology.
Once you and your medical oncologist have decided that beginning radiation therapy is an appropriate addition to your course of cancer treatments, your medical oncologist will recommend that you come in for a consultation with one of our radiation oncologists.
Initial Consultation – The important first step in radiation treatment.
This consultation is an opportunity for one of our doctors to meet with you and…
- answer any questions you may have
- learn about your condition
- conduct a physical examination
- determine if radiation therapy is right for you
- explain what to expect from your treatments
The initial consultation is also an opportunity for you to meet our staff and tour our facility. We provide as much time as is necessary to answer your questions in detail and help you make the right choice about radiation therapy.
Simulation and Treatment Planning – Developing the right care plan for you.
The next step, which will come after your first visit, is to develop a treatment plan. Your Princeton Radiation Oncology radiation oncologist, radiation therapist, physicist and dosimetrist work together to create a precise, personalized plan. To start this process, we’ll conduct a CT simulation scan to help define the treatment areas. Then we’ll mark corresponding areas on the skin with small tattoos to precisely guide treatment. We will also create a treatment schedule at this time.
Treatment – What to expect on subsequent visits.
Each day you come in for treatment, one of our radiation therapists will position you for treatment. The therapist will then leave the radiation treatment room during the treatment, but will observe and be able to communicate with you the entire time. The machine may rotate around you as the radiation dose is delivered via different angles. During treatment, you will feel nothing.
You’ll meet at least once per week with your radiation oncologist to address any side effects or questions you may have and make any necessary adjustments to your treatments. Our oncology nurses and support staff will also be available to you on a regular basis.
Follow-up – Monitoring you…and the success of treatment.
Approximately one month after your treatments are completed, we’ll schedule you to come back to the office for a consultation/evaluation with a radiation oncologist. Your radiation oncologist will continue to see you on a regular basis to monitor your condition and address any issues that may arise. Our team is always here for you!
If you have questions regarding the treatment options available at Princeton Radiation Oncology, or would like to schedule a consultation with one of our radiation oncologists, please contact us at any time. Call 609-655-5755. You can also schedule an appointment using our easy online form.