Radiation Therapy Frequently asked questions

Radiation Therapy(Oncology
Patient information - what to expect at your appointments
Accommodation & transport options
Radiation Therapy treatments
Clinical Trials

Where do I park?

Parking is available in the car park building; follow the signs from Pembroke Street entry.
Discount coupons may be available from our main reception.

How long will my initial consultation take?

Your initial visit with the radiation oncologist will take up to 1.5 hours. At this time your records will be reviewed and treatment options including the risks, benefits, and alternatives to radiation therapy will be discussed. If desired you may bring a support person to this visit and they may ask questions or take notes.

What is the difference between chemotherapy and radiation therapy?

Chemotherapy is a type of treatment that is circulated throughout the whole body and is taken as a pill or injection. Radiation therapy is produced by a linear accelerator or a radioactive source. The radiation therapy beams are focused on a very specific area of the body, so only the area treated is affected.

How does the physician know how much radiation to give me?

Through years of research and experience, there are a variety of doses that are recommended for each specific kind of cancer. Your case will be thoroughly reviewed by the radiation oncologist, and a personalised dose and the treatment field will be prescribed based on the cancer diagnosis, the cell type, and the location and stage of the disease.

I have already had a CT scan and X-rays, why do I need to have more?

It is important that the planning CT scan and X-rays are done with you lying in the same position as you will have your radiation therapy treatment to ensure that we are able to treat the correct area with high accuracy.

When will I be starting my radiation therapy?

Computer calculations, data input, construction of accessories, and planning checks must be completed before treatment can begin. Treatment is started as soon as possible following the completion of this process. You will be notified by phone and/or mail of your appointment start date and time.

Where can my support person stay?

Hilda Ross House provides accommodation. It is located on the hospital campus and caters for individuals and families.
For information on rates, accommodation subsidies, guest services and booking a room at Hilda Ross House please phone (07) 839 8644 or email hotel2@waikatodhb.govt.nz
Te Whare Taurima (House of Hospitality) provides a short term, low cost accommodation service for whanau/family from outside the Hamilton region who are supporting a patient in Waikato Hospital. It is available for all ethnic groups but is managed under a Maori Kaupapa philosophy with respect to Tikanga Maori Practices.
Bookings for Te Whare Taurima can be made between the hours of 8.30am and 10.30pm 7 days per week. Access is dependant on whanau/family meeting the booking criteria and the availability of beds.

How long does each treatment take?

The first treatment will generally take the longest. During this time, the radiation therapists will double-check measurements and explain the procedure thoroughly to the patient. They will then accurately position the patient under the machine – this will take the most time. The treatment itself only takes a couple of minutes, depending on the total dose being delivered. Subsequent treatments will only take about 15 minutes depending on the complexity of the treatment.

The staff endeavour to organise the machine schedule to ensure that appointments are kept on time, but on some days, there may be delays because of unexpected circumstances.

What happens if my marks come off?

Marks may be drawn on your skin for planning and treatment. Do not worry if these marks wash off as the radiation therapists need only the tattoo to ensure treatment accuracy. Do not attempt to touch up any marks yourself.

Is the same dose delivered each day?

Generally, the dose that you receive each day will be the same, however, the time the treatment machine takes to deliver that dose each day may vary slightly each day. In some radical courses, your doctor may wish to treat a smaller area towards the end of your treatment. This is called a treatment boost or a separate treatment phase but the actual dose delivered does not generally increase. You may notice that your side effects increase as the treatment progresses. This is not because the dose delivered daily is increasing; rather it is a result of the cumulative effect of the radiation.

Will I feel anything after my radiation therapy treatment?

While the treatment is being delivered you will not be able to feel the treatment at all. It is just like having an x-ray, however after you may develop some side effects from the treatment. Your oncologist will discuss the likely side effects such as fatigue, nausea, skin reddening and specific conditions related to the treatment area. Discussing any changes with your treatment team and taking care of your body’s needs is very important. Maintaining your weight and getting enough fluids and rest is also important.

Why can't the treatment be given all at once?

Side effects of radiation therapy are minimised by separating a large total dose into many smaller daily doses. Although it may seem inconvenient, this is the best way to deliver sufficient total radiation dose without permanently damaging normal body tissues.

Sometimes, a single treatment of radiation therapy may be given. This is generally for palliation, and the dose delivered is enough to relieve pain or the symptoms of the disease, not achieve a cure. In these cases the doses are not high enough to cause permanent or extreme damage to the normal tissues.

Are side effects the same for everyone?

The side effects vary from patient to patient depending on your general health, the radiation dose and the part of your body that is treated. You may have only a few mild side effects or experience some serious side effects through your course of treatment. Your oncologist will discuss the side effects you may experience, how long they might last, and how serious they might be before beginning your treatment. The most common early side effects of radiation therapy are fatigue and skin changes. They can result from radiation to any treatment site. Other side effects are related to treatment of specific areas.

Will my hair fall out?

Side effects of the radiation treatment are specific to the area being treated. Therefore you may lose some or all of the hair within the area being treated, whether it is from the body, face or head. Radiation therapy will not cause any other hair loss outside of the treatment area.

Can I continue to work during the treatment course?

Yes. We will try to arrange your appointments to allow you to continue working if you wish to do so. Please discuss this with your team so we know what times are more suitable to you. The side effects experienced from treatment will vary for each individual, and in most cases these do not overly affect a patient's normal daily routine. Your radiation oncologist can provide you with more information on the side effects likely to occur in your situation.

What causes fatigue and how can it be managed?

Fatigue, feeling tired and lacking energy, is the most common symptom reported by cancer patients. The exact cause is not always known. It may be due to the disease itself, the treatment, lowered blood counts, lack of sleep, dehydration, pain or poor appetite. Most people begin to feel tired after a week or two of radiation therapy. During treatment the body uses a lot of energy for healing and you may be tired because of stress related to your illness and daily trips for treatment. Feelings of weakness or weariness will go away gradually after your treatment has been completed.

You can help yourself during radiation therapy by trying not to do too much. If you do feel tired, limit your activities and use your free time in a relaxing way. Save your energy for doing the things that you feel are most important. Try to get more sleep at night, and plan your day so that you have time to rest if you need it. Several short naps or breaks may be more helpful than a long rest period.

Can I take vitamins and/or medications while receiving treatment?

Good nutrition is important during your radiation therapy treatments, however taking a multivitamin at this time is not always acceptable. Please talk to your oncologist about this as your oncologist needs to be aware of all medications and/or herbal products that you are currently taking.

Will I be radioactive? Can I have contact with my family?

Although you must be alone in the treatment room while the machine is on, it is perfectly safe for anyone to be around you the moment it switches off. You will not be radioactive. Normal daily contact with family, friends and children is safe throughout treatment.

If you are having Iodine Therapy, please consult the specific information available about this treatment.

Will I be able to drive during my radiation therapy treatment?

Almost all radiation therapy patients are able to drive while receiving treatment. However, with some types of cancer, driving may NOT be recommended due to fatigue or strong pain medication. Your oncologist will advise you of this if this is the case.

What happens if I miss a treatment?

It is important for you to attend all of the treatments that your doctor prescribes for you. We would usually only recommend that you miss a treatment if you are feeling very unwell - please speak to your radiation therapist, radiation oncologist or nurse if this is the case. Any missed treatments will need to be added to the end of your treatment. If you have other appointments or functions to attend at your allocated treatment time, talk to the radiation therapists (with as much notice as possible) and they will try to arrange an alternative time for you to attend that day. Weekend breaks from treatment are normal and are planned to give normal cells a chance to recover.

What do I do after treatment is finished?

A follow-up appointment will be arranged towards the end of your treatment. This appointment is usually between one and three months after treatment has finished. If you have any concerns about your side effects after treatment please phone (07) 839 8899 ext: 96803 or 96745 to speak with our nursing staff.

How do I know if the treatment is working?

Radiation therapy can be compared to a course of antibiotics. All of the drugs in the course should be taken before a cure is expected. The same can be said of radiotherapy treatment. Sometimes you may feel some relief of symptoms, but often it is hard to know the result of the treatment until after the course is completed, especially if the aim of treatment is a cure. A few months after your treatment has finished, you will see your radiation oncologist and they will arrange for follow-up tests to be done. This may involve scans, x-rays and blood tests.

How long will I have to come for follow-up visits?

After your treatment is complete, you will be given a follow up appointment to see your oncologist. This can vary for each individual patient but you will generally be seen around one month after your treatment is complete. Following this initial follow-up, your specific follow-up schedule will be determined by your radiation oncologist, in collaboration with your other physicians such as surgeons or chemotherapy doctors.