No matter what type of radiation therapy you receive, your treatment begins with consultation. Most patients are referred to radiation oncology by other specialists who have done tests to determine if cancer is present and at what stage. The consultation appointment takes about 1-2 hours and gives you the opportunity to meet with one of the radiation oncologists (physician specializing in the treatment of cancer with radiation) and learn about your treatment options. During the consultation the radiation oncologist will obtain information on your medical history and perform a physical examination.
Before meeting with the doctor, you will meet with a nurse who will take your pulse, blood pressure, weight, and health history. You’ll learn what you can expect from radiation treatment including side effects. The nurse will also show you an informative video about radiation treatment.
The radiation oncologist may communicate a great deal of information in a short period of time. Family members or significant others are encouraged to accompany you on this visit. It may be useful for you to bring a prepared list of questions. It may also be helpful to have another person to take notes and ask questions.
To comply with current health care standards, Turville Bay does not allow the use of recording devices or cameras on its property. Protected health information (including pictures) should never reside on a personal portable device. Your privacy is important to us.
After the examination, the doctor will discuss your treatment options (including benefits and risks) and give his recommendations. If you decide that radiation treatment is right for you, a treatment planning CT scan and/or simulation will be scheduled.
What to bring
Please bring the following items with you to your consultation appointment:
Your health insurance card with your policy number and name of the policyholder (spouse or other family member whose name is on the insurance policy), policyholder’s date of birth and social security number
Referral authorization letter, if your insurance plan requires one
Medicare card
At least one form of picture ID
List of medications you are currently taking
List of your doctors’ names, addresses, and telephone numbers
Knowledgeable,
friendly, kind and professional. They made
the therapy much easier…! From a recent patient survey.
The content of the Turville Bay
MRI and Radiation Oncology Center website is intended to educate the
reader and provide information. The content is not intended to be, nor
should it be considered as a substitute for professional medical advice,
diagnosis, or treatment.
If you need medical advice or other
health care assistance, you should always consult with a qualified
health care provider. You should never disregard professional medical
advice or delay in seeking it because of something you read on the site.
