Medical Oncology | Radiation Oncology | Radiation Oncology Team

Types of Medical Therapy

Chemotherapy - Chemotherapy may be taken by pill or it may be injected into a vein or muscle in the body using a needle. Chemotherapy is called a systemic treatment because the drug enters the bloodstream, travels through the body and is able to kill the cancer cells throughout the body.

Biological Response Modifiers and Immunotherapy - Biological response modifiers or immunotherapy are given to help the body fight the cancer. These drugs boost or restore the body's natural defenses against the disease. Many times these drugs are given in addition to chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

Hormone Therapy - A form of treatment that either decreases the level of hormones in the body, or increases them based on the type of cancer. For example, female hormones are given for prostate cancer to decrease the male hormones, which can cause the cancer to grow. Hormones may also be used in the treatment of breast cancer to change the way hormones work to keep the cancer from growing.

Hematology Services for Patients with Blood Disorders - Our medical oncologists are also specially trained in blood disorders. Consultations and therapies are available for diseases such as anemia, thrombocytopenia, pancytopenia and other blood disorders.

Pharmacy Services - The Cancer Center has a dedicated oncology pharmacy located adjacent to the treatment room.

In-Patient Treatment

Some treatments require the patient's admission to the hospital. To accommodate our patients during therapy, the oncology unit at The Williamsport Hospital employs chemotherapy-certified nurses to administer the therapy your doctor prescribes.

Radiation oncology is the use of high-energy rays to damage cancer cells and stop them from multiplying. Radiation in the treatment of cancer differs from chemotherapy in that it is a local treatment, affecting cancer cells only in the area being treated.

Side effects from radiation oncology depend greatly on the part of the body undergoing treatment and the dosage given. Patients commonly experience tiredness, rashes or redness of the skin in the treated area and loss of appetite. Most of these side effects are not permanent.

First visit-Consultation

You meet your Radiation Oncologist on the first visit, which is called a consultation. He evaluates your need for Radiation Therapy. Together your doctor and you will decide on the best plan for you. If Radiation Therapy is indicated you will be scheduled for a second visit. This visit takes about 1 1/2 hours.

Second visit-Simulation

Simulation is a process of placing you in the best position for your daily treatments. The Radiation Therapist and Radiation Oncologist mark small dots on your skin to the area target area to be treated. Immobilization devices such as casts or a mask are made to help you remain still for each treatment. Then you lie down on a flat table and x-rays or CT scans are taken of the area to be treated. This process takes about an hour and a half. Before you leave this day, the Radiation Therapist will schedule you for the next visit for filming. (Dry Run) on the treatment machine. This could be from one to two weeks later. During this time your x-ray or CT information is sent to the planning computer.

Treatment Planning

Planning is the process of looking at your x-ray or CT simulation information to develop a treatment plan according to the Radiation Oncologist. This is done on a highly sophisticated computer system. Here the Doctor, Physicist and Dosimetrist develop the best plan for you.

Third visit-Treatment Machine Filming (Dry Run)

The "Dry Run" is filming of the treatment target area on the treatment machine. No treatment will occur today only filming of images. The Radiation Therapist explains the process and places you in the proper position on the treatment table. Then x-ray images of your treatment area are taken to confirm that they exactly match your treatment plan. The Radiation Oncologist views these films while you are on the table. The Radiation Therapist also checks measurements and your position while you are on the table. This process takes about 45 minutes. The therapist will schedule you for your daily treatments.

Daily Treatments

The painless daily treatment will be the same as the "dry run" but will only take about 10-20 minutes since the measurements and the doctor review was already done. During the treatment you are in the room by yourself but the Radiation Therapist is monitoring you outside from a camera to check on you. The machine makes a buzzing sound when you are receiving the treatment. Filming will be repeated again weekly but only adds 5 minutes to the daily time.

Radiation Oncologist

This is a doctor who specializes in the use of radiation in the treatment of cancer. He performs an initial evaluation to determine if radiation is indicated in the treatment of your cancer. He then leads a team of professionals to formulate and carry out a sophisticated plan of treatment customized to your particular case. All of our doctors are board certified by the American College of Radiation Oncology in the specialty of Therapeutic Radiology.

Medical Physicist

Working directly with the radiation oncologist, a medical physicist formulates and carryies out a specific plan of radiation therapy. A medical physicist is board certified in radiation therapy physics receiving advanced training in the technical delivery of radiation therapy to the patient. Medical physicist is also involved in quality control and assures us that the equipment utilized in delivering radiation oncology is functioning properly.

Medical Dosimetrist

The medical dosimetrist works with the medical physicist and physician in helping to formulate a specific treatment plan for a given patient. The dosimetrist has received advanced training in the treatment planning process which involves determining the number of treatment beams, the angles of the beam, and the amount of radiation per beam in order to achieve a desired dose of radiation toward a given area. Much of the expertise in this planning process also is used to reduce dose of radiation to normal tissues in order to reduce unwanted side effects of treatment. Our dosimetrists are board certified by the American Registry of Radiological Technology (ARRT and CMD).

Radiation Therapists

The radiation therapist workw directly on the treatment machines in order to administer the treatment to the patient. The radiation therapist positions the patient on the table for treatment, sets the machine perimeter and actually delivers the treatment under the direction of the radiation oncology, medical physicists, and dosimetrist. Radiation therapist is board certified by the American Registry of Radiological Technology (ARRT).

Radiation Oncology Nurse

This nurse works closely with all members of the team in order to provide individualized nursing care to each patient during their treatment.

Radiation Secretary

This team member meets with you when you first arrive at the department in order to register each patient in order to obtain your personal information and insurance information.

Dietitian

A dietitian is available in the department in order to provide nutrition counseling for patients receiving cancer treatment.

Social Worker

A social worker is available in order to help with special needs including help with insurance forms, transportation, and emotional support during treatment.