1. Consultation

 

The referral of a patient to the Western Illinois Cancer Treatment Center begins with a request from a physician for an opinion regarding the use of radiation therapy for a patient with a malignancy.
The consultation consists of:
• a review of the patient's medical history
• a review of laboratory and imaging findings
• a physical examination of the patient
• an evaluation of whether or not radiation
therapy will benefit the patient.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Treatment Planning

 

The treatment planning process is a crucial point in developing the patients' care requiring precise interpretation of the condition plus a critical evaluation of the clinical situation.
Treatment planning consists of:
• complete assessment of the patient and all aspects of care
• coordination with other treatment
modalities (chemotherapy and surgery)
• exact tumor localization by means of special tests
and radiographic procedures
• determination of radiation treatment modalities to be used
• treatment design and supporting treatment
devices to be used
• number of treatments and radiation dosage
• simulation to assure that areas to be treated can
be accurately reproduce on a daily basis.