Yes. We encourage family members or close friends to participate in the initial consult with the radiation oncologist and oncology nurse. Since we explain a lot of information to you, it may be helpful to have others there to listen. Of course, this is your decision and you are welcome to come alone. Please remember that we are always available to talk with you and review anything you may not have heard or understood at your initial consult.

Following your initial consultation with the radiation oncologist, you will be scheduled for a CT simulation appointment. During this appointment, the radiation therapist, under the direction of your radiation oncologist, will pinpoint the exact area of your body we will treat. The simulation process is highly individualized to ensure the most appropriate course of treatment for you. The simulation appointment may take up to one hour, during which you will have a CT scan. We will mark your body with tiny dots that are permanently tattooed to ensure accuracy of your treatments. You will not receive an actual radiation therapy treatment during this visit.

Brigham and Women's/Sturdy Memorial Radiation Oncology Center utilizes a Philips AcQsim that provides advanced CT simulation. Because precise, reproducible positioning is so important to the delivery of high-quality treatment, there are certain simulations for which specific equipment is utilized to help you stay in the same position for each session. This will be fashioned at simulation by the radiation therapist in conjunction with the radiation oncologist and may consist of special cushions, braces, custom-made aquaplast molds, etc.

Once the scanning is over, the radiation therapist will go over all the treatment dates that will occur.

Family and friends can be very supportive and they are always welcome to accompany you. However, it is your decision. Physically you will not be groggy or unable to function. Unless physically ill or mentally exhausted, most patients are able to drive themselves home after their appointments.

In most cases, your chemotherapy will be given in your medical oncologist’s office or at a local hospital.

You will be scheduled for weekly physician/nurse visits throughout the course of your treatment.

You are always welcome to ask to speak with your radiation oncologist or nurse, or with your radiation therapist who is extremely experienced in radiation therapy. To reach any member of our staff, call our regular telephone number: 857-307-3700. During non-business hours, Brigham and Women's/Sturdy Memorial Radiation Oncology Center has 24-hour emergency coverage, available by calling our regular telephone number too.

While you are receiving treatment it is very important to contact the doctor or nurse at Brigham and Women's/Sturdy Memorial Radiation Oncology Center if you experience extreme discomfort. You should also contact your referring physician or primary care physician. This comprehensive approach to your care ensures we all work together in your best interest.

No. Once you are scheduled for treatment, your appointment time is yours and we will be here for you.

You will be scheduled for a certain number of treatments based on your specific disease. It is extremely important that you receive all of your prescribed treatments. Therefore, if you miss a day it must be made up and your last day of treatment will be extended.

Yes. This is why we ask for your work, cell, and home telephone numbers.

The physics staff at Brigham and Women's/Sturdy Memorial Radiation Oncology Center is made up of medical physicists and dosimetrists. These professionals are specially trained to assist the physicians in deriving the best way to treat each patient. They use specialized computer systems to evaluate how well an area is being treated by the radiation and how well the surrounding healthy tissues are being protected from it.

Medical physicists also work in other ways to ensure high-quality patient care in the department. They routinely conduct tests on the treatment machines, CT scanner, and other equipment used throughout the Center. On a more personal level, the physics staff spends a great deal of time reviewing every patient’s case individually. This type of work is sometimes done after hours, so you may notice an occasional bill on a day that you were not in the department. While not always seen, you can be sure that Brigham and Women's/Sturdy Memorial Radiation Oncology Center's physics group is working hard to help maintain the high level of quality and precision that the community has come to know and trust.

Your oncology nurse can provide you with information on support groups and access to other oncology professionals.