Radiation Therapy
Questions and Answers

Q: Who is in charge of the patient's radiation therapy?

A: Radiation oncologists oversee the care of each cancer patient. They develop and prescribe each cancer patient's treatment plan. They make sure that every treatment is accurately given. They monitor the patient's progress and adjust treatment to make sure patients get quality care throughout treatment.

Radiation oncologists also help identify and treat any side effects of radiation therapy. They work closely with other physicians, and all members of the radiation oncology team to make sure each patient is getting the best treatment. Each patient's treatment is personalized.

Radiation oncologists are doctors who have completed four years of college, four years of medical school, one year of general medical training, then three to four years of residency (specialty) training in radiation oncology.

They have extensive training in the safe use of radiation to treat disease.

If they pass a special examination they are certified by the American Board of Radiology.

Q: Who works with radiation oncologists?

A: Medical Radiation Physicists

Medical physicists work directly with the doctor in the treatment planning and delivery. They oversee the work of the dosimetrist. Medical physicists are responsible for developing and directing quality control programmers for equipment and procedures. They are responsible for making sure the equipment works properly. Medical radiation physicists take precise measurements of radiation beam characteristics and do other safety measurements on a regular basis.

Medical physicists have doctorates or master's degrees. Qualified physicists have completed four years of college. They also have had two to four years of graduate school and typically one to two years of clinical physics training. They may be certified by the American Board of Radiology or the American Board of Medical Physics.

Radiation Therapists (sometimes called radiation therapy technologists)

Radiation therapists work with the radiation oncologists in treatment planning and treatment. They treat each patient under the physician's prescription and supervision. They maintain daily records and regularly check the treatment machines to make sure they are working properly.

Radiation therapists go through a two-to-four year educational program following high school. They take a special examination, and can be certified by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. In addition, many states require that radiation therapy technologists be licensed.

Dosimetrists

Dosimetrists carefully calculate the dose of radiation to make sure the tumor gets enough radiation. They develop a number of treatment plans that can best destroy the tumor while sparing the normal tissues. They work with the doctor and the medical physicist to choose the treatment plan that is just right for each patient.

Many dosimetrists start as radiation therapists then, with [Image] on-the-job training, become dosimetrists. Others are graduates of a one-to-two-year dosimetry program following high school. The Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board certifies dosimetrists.

Radiation Oncology Nurses

Radiation therapy nurses help doctors educate each patient and his/her family about cancer and radiation treatment. They provide resources for emotional support to patients and their families. They also help with the examination of the patient, for example, taking the patient's blood pressure and weighing the patient. These examinations might take place several times during treatment. They also help the doctor care for any side effects of treatment Radiation therapy nurses have completed a registered nursing program, have passed a written examination and are licensed to practice professional nursing.

Social WorkersSocial workers may be available to provide practical or emotional help to patients or members of their families. They may offer counseling for patients who have a hard time coping with their cancer. They also may help arrange for home health care and other services.

Social workers may be licensed. Licensed social workers must have a master's degree. They also must pass an examination.

Dietitians

Dietitians work with patients to make sure they eat properly during treatment. Dietitians monitor patients' weight, etc., Dietitians may provide patients with recipes, vitamins, and nutritional supplements, etc. to improve their nutritional status.

Dieticians attend four years of college then usually take part in a one-year internship. The American Dietetic Association registers dietitians who have passed a professional examination.

Dietitians, nurses, social workers, etc. make up the radiation oncology support team.

Q: Will the patient be radioactive after treatment?

A: Patients who undergo external beam radiation treatment are not radioactive. In brachytherapy, the sources are radioactive. Family and friends of a brachytherapy patient must take special care if they visit while the radioactive sources are in place. If the radioactive sources are to be left in permanently the radiation oncologist will advise the patient and family about the levels of and any special significance of the radiation exposure. Patients should talk to their radiation oncologist about any questions they might have about this.

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