After
radiation therapy is chosen as the way to treat a patient’s cancer, treatment
planning begins. Treatment planning means the radiation therapy team determines
technique, type of therapy, dosage, frequency and duration of treatments. The
key component to treatment planning is through a process called simulation – the
design of the actual treatment technique, including patient positioning and immobilization
devices.
The first step in simulation is to physically position the patient with the equipment
as though they would be treated. The tumor region is located and the treatment
area is marked. Often special machines such as computed tomography (CT) scanners
and computers are also used. The treatment planning team then reviews all the
information provided to design the best treatment plan.
The particular type of radiation therapy is determined and a treatment plan is
developed to provide the safest and most effective treatment. The radiation oncologist,
along with the patient’s oncologist and primary care physician, outline the course
of treatment for the patient.
Virginia Piper Cancer Institute
Abbott Northwestern Hospital
800 East 28th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55407
612-863-4633
Source: Mary Durand, manager, Radiation Therapy
First published: 01/01/2004
Last updated: 03/01/2007
Reviewed by: Mary Durand, manager, Radiation Therapy
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After
radiation therapy is chosen as the way to treat a patient’s cancer, treatment
planning begins. Treatment planning means the radiation therapy team determines
technique, type of therapy, dosage, frequency and duration of treatments. The
key component to treatment planning is through a process called simulation – the
design of the actual treatment technique, including patient positioning and immobilization
devices. 