What to Expect before Radiation Cancer Treatment

We are pleased to offer patients the most effective and advanced treatments and technology for treating cancer. As our patient, you may receive cancer treatment and evaluation, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, diagnostic imaging, laboratory and pharmacy services all under one roof. By offering the most advanced treatments all in one location is it more convenient and gives you many options for your specific diagnosis.

We offer chemotherapy and other medicine infusions which is medicine given intravenously (IV). We also offer the highest technology in radiation therapy.

Our advanced technology called RapidArc™ by Varian Medical Systems include:

• Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy and radio surgery (SBRT)
• Three-Dimensional Conformal Radiation Therapy (3D-CRT)
• Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)
• Image-Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT)
• High Dose Rate Brachytherapy (HDR)
• Systemic Radiation Therapy

We also offer immunotherapies for some types of cancers, and have a laboratory and pharmacy for our patients, as well as diagnostic imaging.

Our cancer centers also offer a unique service that is not always offered at other centers. Our team of cancer specialists and staff are very compassionate and truly care for your life. We get to know you on a personal basis. We know that you, your diagnosis, your family, your individual situation and your life are all part of the healing process. You are not just a name, a number or a diagnosis in our center. You are part of our family and we will treat you like any other member of our family.

What to Bring to Your First Appointment

One of the most important things you need is your medicine list. Too often, people forget this list and it will hold up your treatment plan and could leave you with unanswered questions because the medication you take can directly affect the next step in your treatment.

In addition to bringing a list of all the medicine, supplements, prescriptions, over the counter medicines and drugs, you will also need your driver’s license or identification card and insurance cards. You will also have had to send your medical records to our center prior to your appointment.

Sometimes this means you need to sign a release for records from other doctors you’ve seen. This release can be mailed to you, or you can pick it up. You can also get it from our website, download it, print, sign and return to us. It is also helpful to bring a list of questions to your first appointment. As well as a notebook or tablet to write down answers and any other info you may like to record. You are welcome to bring a family member for support, but that is a personal choice and not required.

The Initial Consult with Your Oncologist

Your oncologist will review your pathology and other records determining your diagnosis. After your precise diagnosis, your oncologist will assess your treatment options and the results to expect from it. He or she will also determine the level in which your disease has progressed to. You may get additional testing ordered to determine this. Your doctor will have a team of specialists that will follow your care. They will get to know you and your diagnosis and be able to help with you with any questions you or your family may have on this day or any time in the future.