Radiation - What to Expect at Your First Radiation Treatment

During the radiation treatment you will lie still. You willinstead of shallow, top of the lungs breathing, is easier
breathe normally. You may have a device to positionbecause the throat and upper chest are restricted in
you, and shields to protect your healthy organs. Themovement by the mask.
linear accelerator machine will deliver precise doses ofTechnician outside of the room during treatment. When
radiation to markers within you target field. Youryou are ready for the radiation, the technician will step
session will be ten to forty-five minutes long.out of the room. The radiation team will have cameras
Clothing change. Depending where your radiationand microphones to be in communication with you. The
target field is, you may be given a gown to wear sospecially trained technician will direct the movement
that the fabric can be folded back as needed.and dose delivery of the accelerator machine.
Radiation table. You will be directed to lie on theThe linear accelerator machine. The radiation machine
radiation table. The technician will position you. Youis large, and is built to rotate and move precisely. It
may have forms to aid in positioning. Shields will bemoves and delivers its radiation beam programmed to
used to protect your healthy organs.follow the three dimensional model that was made
Radiation face mask for brain cancer. Prior to their firstfrom the data taken from your CT Scans and possibly
radiation treatment, brain cancer patients have a maskMRIs. Everything is done with precision.
molded to their face. There are holes for the eyes,The linear accelerator machine delivers a precise dose
nostrils, and mouth. When being positioned for the firstof radiation. You may have marks placed on your skin
treatment, the technician assists the patient in lyingto guide the accelerator, or in the case of a radiation
down, and placing the mask over the patient's face.face mask, the model is build into the mask. The
The mask is locked into position on the table so thataccelerator makes a buzzing sound. It goes on and off.
the patient cannot move. The patient is also given aWhen it is delivering a dose, you will hear a buzz.
rolled up towel to hold, just to have something to holdWhen the machine is being rotated, there will be no
on to without moving.buzz. You will experience no pain during treatments.
Breathing. Unlike x-ray, breathing is normal in radiationLength of session. Your first session will be from ten
therapy. The radiation mask is a little tricky. Patientsto forty-five minutes long, depending on your target
are likely to discover that breathing with their belliesfield, and the amount of radiation you are to receive.