Follow Up
Congratulations! You have finished your course of radiation. Your radiation oncologist will continue to follow you closely once you have completed your treatment. Patients are usually seen 2 weeks to 1 month following treatment. This visit is for your physician to monitor the degree to which any side effect that you experienced is resolving.
Every effort is made to minimize the side effects of radiation by excluding normal tissue from the treatment field. Your radiation oncologist is trained in recognizing and treating these effects promptly.
To ensure your continued health, future follow-up visits will be scheduled every three to six months. If another cancer physician is also monitoring you, your follow-up schedule will be adjusted.
Your primary physician or medical oncologist may have questions about changes in your physical examinations brought about by the radiation treatment. Since these changes can be subtle and progress months or even years after treatment, it is important that you adhere to your follow-up appointment schedule. Your radiation oncologist can work with your primary physician to avoid unnecessary diagnostic procedures.
Survivorship and Support
This experience is not easy for you or your family. Many patients have the support of family and friends to help them through their diagnosis, treatment and years of survivorship. Despite this, both patients and family members may need to speak to others who have had similar experiences or may wish to seek professional help. Please ask your nurse for referrals to support groups and/or to professionals in this field.
All of us in the radiation oncology center understand the special concerns and needs you may have. Please feel assured that you have come to the right place and that you are not alone. We are here to help and support you, and to ensure that you will always be treated with dignity, respect and compassion.
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