The radiation oncology
team includes:
Radiation
Oncologists and Radiation Oncology Residents
Radiation oncologists are
the doctors who will oversee your radiation therapy treatments.
Radiation Oncologist Residents are the doctors who have finished
their internal medicine internship and are in training to be radiation
oncologists and assisting radiation oncologists to provide care
to the cancer patients. These physicians work with the other members
of the radiation therapy team to develop your treatment plan and
ensure that each treatment is given accurately. Your radiation oncologist
will also monitor your progress and adjust the treatment as necessary
to make sure the radiation is hitting its target while minimizing
side effects. Before, during and after your radiation therapy treatments,
your radiation oncologist works closely with other cancer doctors,
such as medical oncologists and surgeons, to maximize the radiation's
effectiveness.
Radiation oncologists have
completed at least four years of college, four years of medical
school, one year of general medical training, and four years of
residency or specialty training in radiation oncology. They have
extensive training in cancer medicine and the safe use of radiation
to treat disease. If they pass a special examination, they are certified
by the American Board of Radiology. You should ask if your doctor
is board certified.
Radiation
Oncology Nurses
Radiation oncology nurses
work together with radiation oncologists and radiation therapists
to care for you and your family during your radiation treatments.
They will explain the possible side effects you may experience and
describe how you can manage them. They will assess how you are doing
throughout treatment and will help you cope with the changes you
may experience. They will also provide support and counseling to
you and your family.
Radiation oncology nurses
are licensed registered nurses or licensed practical nurses. Many
registered nurses in radiation therapy have additional accreditation
in the specialty of oncology nursing. Advanced practice nurses,
including clinical nurse specialists and nurse practitioners, have
completed a master's degree program.
Radiation
Therapists
Radiation therapists work
with radiation oncologists to administer the daily radiation treatment
under the doctor's prescription and supervision. They maintain daily
records and regularly check the treatment machines to make sure
they are working properly.
Radiation therapists go through
a two- to four-year educational program following high school or
college. They take a special examination and may be certified by
the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. In addition,
many states require radiation therapists to be licensed.
Medical
Radiation Physicists
Qualified medical physicists
work directly with the radiation oncologist during treatment planning
and delivery. They oversee the work of the dosimetrist and help
ensure that complex treatments are properly tailored for each patient.
Medical physicists are responsible for developing and directing
quality control programs for equipment and procedures. Their responsibility
also includes making sure the equipment works properly by taking
precise measurements of the radiation beam and performing other
safety tests on a regular basis.
Medical
Dosimetrists
Dosimetrists carefully calculate
the dose of radiation to make sure the tumor gets enough radiation.
Using computers, they work to develop a number of treatment plans
that can best destroy the tumor while sparing normal tissue. Since
treatment plans are often very complex, dosimetrists work with the
radiation oncologist and the medical physicist to choose the treatment
plan that is right for you.
Many dosimetrists start as
radiation therapists and then, with very intensive training, become
dosimetrists. Others are graduates of one- to two-year dosimetry
programs. They are certified by the Medical Dosimetrist Certification
Board.
Other
Healthcare Professionals
You may work with a number
of other healthcare professionals while undergoing radiation therapy.
These specialists ensure that all of your physical and psychological
needs are met during your treatment.
Social Workers
Social workers are available
to provide a variety of supportive services to you and your family.
They can provide counseling to help you and your family cope with
the diagnosis of cancer and with your treatment. They may also help
arrange for home healthcare and other services.
Nutritionists
Nutritionists or dietitians
work with patients to help them maintain their diet during their
treatments. They will help you modify your eating plan if the side
effects of treatment are affecting your appetite, will determine
what you can eat, and can provide recipes, menu suggestions and
information on ready-to-use nutritional supplements. They address
dietary issues and current developments that may affect cancer treatment
outcomes.
Physical Therapists
Physical therapists use therapeutic
exercises to ensure that your body functions properly while you
are undergoing treatment. These exercises are used to help manage
side effects, alleviate pain and keep you healthy.
Dentists
Dentists may be involved
in the care of patients who are receiving radiation for oral or
head and neck cancers. They will help prevent the radiation from
damaging the healthy areas of your mouth and oral cavity, and may
recommend that you have preventive dental work prior to radiation.
They will also help you manage oral complications of cancer therapy,
such as dry mouth. A dental hygienist may also perform these services
under the supervision of a dentist.
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