Treatment

Care Giving Team

A team of health care professionals and support staff tends to every aspect of your care.

• The Radiation Oncologist is a physician who specializes in the treatment of cancer and other diseases. He or she has advanced training and many are certified in Radiation Oncology by the American Board of Radiology. With responsibility for your overall care, he or she will develop your treatment plan, prescribe the exact amount of radiation you will receive and meet with you regularly to evaluate your progress and answer questions.

• The Radiation Oncology Nurse also specializes in oncology and will help coordinate your care with physicians and other staff. He or she is available to help with your day-to-day concerns, help you manage side effects and can refer you to other health care professionals, as needed. The Radiation Oncology Nurse may also be certified by the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation.

• The Radiation Physicist usually has a Master's degree or Ph.D. in medical physics. He or she may be certified by the American Board of Radiology and/or the American Board of Medical Physicists. Some centers may have a dosimetrist who is certified by the Medical Dosimetrists Certification Board. They work with the radiation oncologist in formulating your treatment plan and assist in ensuring that the prescribed plan is carried out.

• The Radiation Therapists are trained and certified in radiation therapy by the American Registry of Radiological Technologist (ARRT). Under the direction of the radiation oncologist, they will administer your daily-prescribed dose of radiation, assist with your simulation and help arrange your treatment schedule.

If needed, your physician may refer you to a registered dietitian, who will help you plan a well-balanced diet to help maintain your weight and provide adequate nutrition necessary for tissue recovery. You also may be referred to a counselor or social worker who can provide you or your family with counseling and support services.

Our radiation oncology team works closely with your other physicians and health care providers to coordinate your care and make your treatment with us as comfortable as possible. Our radiation oncologists participate in local hospital multidisciplinary tumor boards. Patient cases needing more complex treatment planning are presented at these conferences, and professionals from the different oncology specialties express their opinions regarding the best treatment regimen. This assists us in providing the highest-quality care.