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Meet the Radiation Oncology Team
The radiation oncology team
includes:
Radiation Oncologists
Radiation oncologists are the doctors
who will oversee your radiation therapy treatments.
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.
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Nurse
Practitioners
Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are registered
nurses who have completed at least 7 years of college,
and have obtained a Masters degree in advanced nursing.
Their schoolwork includes anatomy, physiciology, pathophysiology,
pharmaceutical science and advanced physical assessmenet.
They spend over 500 hours working directly with physicians
and other licensed nurse practitioners prior to recieving
their degree.
Our department has one of the largest NP programs in
the country. Each nurse practitioner collaborates with
one radiation oncologist to manage a full caseload of
patients. You will meet your NP at consultation and
see her/him regularly throughout your treatment. Your
NP will help you manage symptoms during treatment and
will coordinate your care with the other members of
the health care team. Your NP will follow you after
completion of treatment in collaboration with your radiation
oncologist.
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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.
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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. Back toTop
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. Back toTop
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. Back toTop
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. Back toTop
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