Newly Diagnosed

Cancer occurs when changes in the chromosomes (DNA) of cells cause them to reproduce abnormally. These damaged cells continue to grow and multiply, resulting in tumors. Some tumors are benign, or non-cancerous, while others are malignant or cancerous. Only a biopsy, or examination of a small piece of the tumor, can confirm the diagnosis of cancer.

Cancer can be caused by anything that damages the DNA in a cell. This includes certain chemicals, ionizing radiation or some types of viruses. Naturally occurring mutations in the cell’s chromosomes or aging of the cell may also lead to the development of cancer. The process by which cancers may develop in a particular individual is not fully understood and appears to be quite complicated.

There are literally hundreds of different types of cancers, and a cancer may occur in almost any organ or area of the body. These cancers all have different responses to the various types of treatments currently available. Your oncologists utilize their knowledge and years of experience to design a treatment plan that will most effectively utilize these therapies to treat a particular cancer.

The three main treatment modalities are surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Frequently, a combination of two or three treatment modalities are utilized to achieve maximum benefit for the patient. Every treatment modality has certain risks and benefits that should be considered before starting treatment. Consultation with a board-certified oncologist in each specialty is highly recommended before deciding upon a particular course of therapy.

Radiation therapy, also known as radiation oncology, is a method of treating cancer utilizing very high energy x-ray or electron beams. These beams of energy are aimed at the tumor site and can penetrate deeply into the body to destroy the cancer cells or can treat cancers on the surface of the skin. Radiation therapy has been used successfully for treating cancer for over 100 years! In simple terms, cancer cells are killed when they absorb a given amount of ionizing radiation. Because cancer cells are active and rapidly dividing, they are particularly susceptible to effects of radiation. By delivering a calculated amount of radiation over a specific amount of time, the malignant cells are destroyed. Healthy tissue that is irradiated has the ability to repair itself, whereas the cancer cells cannot.

Radiation affects only the area receiving treatment. If the scalp is in the treated field, then hair loss may occur. This hair loss may be temporary or permanent depending upon the total dose received by the patient. Hair loss will not occur if the scalp is outside the area receiving treatment.

Patients do not become radioactive by being exposed to radiation from the treatment machines (linear accelerators) or the simulator. If a procedure calls for placing radioactive materials into the body (and implant) then the patient will be “radioactive” only for the time the radioactive material is in their body. As soon as it is removed, the patient’s body ceases to be radioactive.

Radiation therapy will cause side effects only to those areas directly in the path of the beam or located in the treatment field. These side effects are specific to the area of body being treated and may vary greatly from person to person. The side effects a person may experience will also vary depending upon the dose received and the size of the field being treated.

Governmental regulations prohibit anyone who is not a patient or who has not been issued a film badge to be in a radiation control area while radiation equipment is being operated. No one under 18 years of age is allowed in a radiation control area unless they are being treated. Additionally, to protect the privacy of all our patient, we only allow patients and staff in the treatment area during treatment hours.

This also is a governmental regulation. We also observe the policy that staff should receive the least amount of exposure to radiation as possible in the performance of their duties.

Most of our patients continue with their occupations or leisure activities during radiation therapy. We do advise patients to avoid exposing treated skin areas to sunlight and to refrain from using potentially irritating chemicals on the irradiated skin sites. For example, do not use an underarm deodorant if we are treating the area around your shoulder or armpit. In general, you can do whatever you feel you are capable of doing.

The actual time it takes to deliver the dose of radiation is very short, usually less than a minute. It usually takes five to 10 minutes, however, to correctly position a patient for their daily treatment. Once the treatment routine is established for a patient, they are usually treated and on their way again in about 15 minutes. The treatment planning process (simulation) and the very first treatment involve more activities and therefore require more time. Patients should allow at least an hour for the treatment planning process (simulation) and 30 minutes for their first treatment.

Most patients come for treatment five days a week for a period of two to eight weeks.

No; the treatments are completely painless. The radiation is not detectable by touch, taste, sight, sound or smell. All that is required of the patient is that they hold very still while the treatment is being given.

Please feel free to email or call our staff at the Community Cancer Center. Dori Compton, RN is our Patient Advocate who can answer your questions. Dori can be reached at 541-673-2267 x5120 or email: DCompton@CCCRoseburg.org. We have also provided links to other cancer-related websites that may be helpful to you found on the Resource tab.

You will see the doctor each week while you are under treatment. Your doctor will want to know how you are feeling and will answer any questions you may have. Of course, anytime you have a question regarding your treatments, or you wish to see the doctor, we encourage you to notify either the radiation therapist or nurse who will arrange for you to be seen.

These films are taken as part of our quality assurance program to make sure we are treating the areas we are targeting. The films do not show how the tumor may be responding to treatment.