OBTAINING AN APPOINTMENT •  Patients are generally referred to the Moncrief Radiation Oncology Center by their oncologist. For general information and patient appointments, call 214-645-8525. Insurance and medical records information are gathered at that time.

CANCELING AN APPOINTMENT •  If it is necessary to cancel an appointment, please let the clinic know at least 24 hours in advance, if possible. This is important for the courtesy of other patients who may be in need of urgent care.

INFORMATION NEEDED TO BEGIN THE PATIENT REGISTRATION PROCESS •  Please be prepared to provide the following information to our clinic staff when you come to register for your first appointment: patient's name, phone number, social security number; insurance carrier and policy number; name, address, and phone number of your referring physician.

We also request all pertinent medical records from your referring or previous physicians, including pathological specimens and reports, and X-ray files and reports. Please ask your referring physician's office to fax copies or send by Express Mail all medical records and written reports to us so that they can be reviewed by our physicians before your first visit. The fax number is 214-645-8526 . In addition, please bring the films and written reports with you on your first visit, if possible.

SPECIAL INFORMATION FOR NEW PATIENTS •  New patients should arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment to complete the registration process.

What to Expect During Your Visit With Us

Consultation
During the initial visit with the radiation oncologist, he or she will review all the patient's medical records, pathology reports, and X-rays and will perform a physical examination.  The radiation oncologist will discuss various treatment options with the patient and family.  If radiation treatment is indicated, an appointment for simulation is scheduled within a few days to develop a plan for the course of treatment.

Simulation
Before treatment can begin, precise measurements are made of the area of the patient's body to be treated.  The patient is placed on the simulator, a machine that resembles a linear accelerator, the device that will deliver radiation to the affected area.  To make sure that the radiation treats the exact place in the body each day of treatment, an immobilization device may be designed to help the patient lie in the same position during every treatment.  The device may be a mask, a mold, or a similar item that helps the patient remain still in the appropriate position.

Once the patient's treatment position is determined, the simulator is used to take x-rays or a CT scan.  These films are used to design a computerized plan defining the exact size and area that the radiation is to treat.  Also, several small marks are placed on the skin to help identify the area to be treated. These marks will be used on each treatment day to line up the patient and assure accuracy of the treatment area. The radiation oncologist will then work with the physics staff to design the treatment field.  The medical dosimetrist takes the films and data obtained from the simulation and uses it to develop a plan of treatment to give the most effective dose of radiation to the treatment field selected. He or she works with a medical physicist to design special shielding blocks or plans to direct the radiation beam to the target area and shield normal tissue from the beam.

Depending on the treatment plan, some patients may return for a second simulation appointment. The shielding blocks will be placed in the head of the simulator and an x-ray is taken. This x-ray is compared with the original simulation film to check the accuracy of the plan.

Treatment
Usually within a few days of the final simulation, treatment will start.  The radiation therapy technologist will assist the patient onto the treatment table of the linear accelerator and will position them utilizing the marks from the simulation. The treatment room is equipped with several laser lights that assist the therapist in assuring the patient is level and straight on the table. Once the patient is positioned correctly, the therapist will leave the room.  The patient can be observed and heard form the therapists' station outside the room.  The treatment itself is very brief.  Each daily session is usually less than 30 minutes, with most of that time being spent getting the patient positioned accurately and the treatment fields lined up.

During the course of treatment, the patient will be seen by the radiation oncologist at least once a week.  He or she will examine the patient to assure that treatment is going as planned, and reactions or side effects are dealt with promptly.  The nursing staff is available to assist with patient education issues and management of side effects such as fatigue and skin irritation.  A nutritionist and social worker are also on staff to assist patients as needed.