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Below are some of the more common questions that patients ask about radiation therapy and answers to those questions. Just click on the question and it will take you directly to the answer.

• What will the treatment session be like?
• Will I be radioactive?
• Will I lose my hair?
• Will the radiation therapy make me sick?
• What are the typical side effects of radiation therapy?
• How much will my radiation therapy cost?
• Is radiation painful?

Q. What will the treatment session be like?

When you come in to CTI you start your treatment session by registering at the front desk with one of our patient care associates. Then you'll be shown to a room with a table that you will lay on for the Radiation Therapist to make some marks where the treatment area will be. The therapist will then take some x-rays to confirm the correct treatment area. The therapist will then leave the room and you will be monitored by the therapist on a computer screen. At this time, you may hear some slight buzzing as the accelerator machine moves up and down and back and forth during the treatment. The entire session is usually completed in 15 minutes from check in time to completion.

Q. Will I be radioactive? This is a common concern for patients but rest assured, you will not become radioactive. Radiation passes through the body and then it is gone, just like when you have an x-ray done.

Q. Will I lose my hair? No, you will not lose the hair on your head unless that is the area being treated. Hair loss is local to the area that is being treated with radiation therapy. For instance, if the area being treated is your arm, you can expect to lose the hair on that arm during the treatment.

Q. Will the radiation therapy make me sick?
Generally, you should not experience any nausea with radiation therapy. However, this is dependent upon the area of treatment. If the area being treated is around the stomach, you may experience some nausea. Any symptoms such as this should be reported to the treating doctor so she may prescribe medication to ease some of the effects.

Q. So what are the typical side effects of radiation therapy?
The side effects depend on the area of the body being treated and the dosage being given. The most common side effects reported by patients are fatigue and skin irritation at the site of treatment.
Some examples of other side effects include dry or sore mouth or throat if treatment is being given in the mouth, throat or neck area. If treatment is given to the lung area, some coughing and excess mucous production may occur. Treatment in the abdominal area may result in mild nausea and/or diarrhea.
Most of these side effects will go away on their own within 4 to 6 weeks after treatment is completed. Some long-term effects may include changes in the color and elasticity of skin in the treatment area.
Discuss any concerns you may have about side effects and medications to counteract them with the Radiation Oncologist before the start of your treatment.

Q. How much will my radiation therapy cost?
Because treatment with radiation requires several types of health care professionals and uses sophisticated equipment, radiation therapy can become costly. The total cost of the treatment however, will depend on the dosage and number of treatments you will need.

Q. Is radiation painful?
Most patients cannot feel radiation from the machine during daily treatments. A few patients report a slight warming or tingling sensation in the area while the radiation machine is on. Over time, the skin in the area being treated will become dry, sore, itchy, or will burn. While these feelings can be uncomfortable, usually the discomfort is not enough for someone to stop or interrupt their treatment.