At ICI, we hope to answer some of your most important questions about cancer while providing support for those who have been diagnosed. Listed below are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about cancer.
What is Varian RapidArc™ radiotherapy technology?
Varian RapidArc™ radiotherapy technology is a new breakthrough in cancer treatment that delivers powerful and precise tumor-destroying radiation in a treatment that takes less than two minutes a day.
Is there more information on RapidArc™?
Please contact us at (305) 669-6833 to obtain more information, or visit our website at RapidArc™
Is RapidArc™ covered by my insurance?
Individual insurances vary, so please check with your insurance company to see if RapidArc radiotherapy technology will be covered. RapidArc™ is a form of radiation therapy.
What types of cancers can you treat with RapidArc™?
Almost any tumor that would normally be treated with radiation therapy can be treated with RapidArc™. Your doctor can discuss with you whether RapidArc™ is right for you. You will need to discuss the appropriateness of Varian RapidArc™ technology with your doctor. There are many variables to consider in determining whether someone is a good candidate for the technology.
What is radiation therapy?
- It is a common cancer treatment that uses high doses of radiation to destroy cancer cells and shrink tumors.
- It doesn't hurt.
- It can't be seen, felt, or smelled.
How does treatment work?
In cancer treatment, high doses of radiation are used to destroy cancer cells. The radiation that destroys cancer cells also injures nearby healthy cells. This is why you may have some side effects.
How long does treatment take?
- The length of your treatment depends on your type and stage of cancer.
- Most treatments take 2 to 10 weeks.
- Treatment usually happens on Monday through Friday.
- Most treatment visits last for 30 minutes. You will get radiation for only 1 to 5 minutes, but you may be in the treatment room for 15 to 30 minutes.
Can I go to work during radiation therapy?
Some people are able to work full-time during radiation therapy. Others can only work part-time or not at all. How much you are able to work depends on how you feel. Ask your doctor or nurse what you may expect based on the treatment you are getting.
Does radiation therapy hurt?
No, radiation therapy does not hurt while it is being given. But the side effects that people may get from radiation therapy can cause pain or discomfort.
What are the side effects of Radiation?
Side effects, if experienced, often begin by the second or third week of treatment and may last for several weeks after the completion of treatment. The seriousness and duration of side effects depend on the individual and the type and extent of treatment.
Side effects can be managed with dietary changes and/or medications. Tell your doctor if you are experiencing symptoms.
Can radiation affect my family?
Radiation is given only during the procedure and patients do not remain radioactive after.Can I lose my hair?
Radiation changes occur only on the treated site. Patients can lose their hair in certain brain tumors depending on the location of the tumor.What is breast cancer?
Breast cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the breast. It is considered a heterogeneous disease—differing by individual, age group, and even the kinds of cells within the tumors themselves
Does a family history of breast cancer put someone at a higher risk?
If you have a grandmother, mother, sister, or daughter who has been diagnosed with breast cancer, this does put you in a higher risk group. Have a baseline mammogram at least five years before the age of breast cancer onset in any close relatives, or starting at age 35. See your physician at any sign of unusual symptoms.
How do I decide which treatment option is best for me?
Speak with your physician about treatment options. Although there are four standard ways to treat breast cancer (surgery, radiation therapy, hormonal therapy and chemotherapy), several treatments may be combined. Your physician can recommend specific treatments depending on the type and location of the cancer, the stage at which it was detected, and your age and general health.
Are there any side effects?
Radiation therapy to the breast/chestwall may cause:
- Fatigue
- Dry Skin
- Skin redness, similar to sunburn
- Skin inflammation, sensitivity and/or warmth of the breast tissue
- Skin discoloration after treatment
Side effects of breast cancer may not be the same for each woman, or even for women having the same treatments. During the course of treatment the physician and therapy staff will monitor your reaction to treatment. Patients receiving radiation to the breast/chestwall are encouraged to evaluate their skin regularly and limit exposure to the sun and chlorine to the area of treatment as these things can create a drying effect and intensify the skins reaction to radiation.
What is the best treatment for prostate cancer?
You and your doctor will decide what is the best option for you. This will be dependent upon your test results and your biopsy.
What is a Gleason Score?
The Gleason Score is the grading system used to determine the patterns the gland resembles at the time of diagnosis (biopsy).
If there are no symptoms, how is prostate cancer detected?
Screening for prostate cancer can be performed in a physician’s office using two tests: the PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test and the digital rectal exam (DRE).
How curable is prostate cancer?
In general, the earlier the cancer is caught, the more likely it is for the patient to remain disease-free. Because approximately 90% of all prostate cancers are detected in the local and regional stages, the cure rate for prostate cancer is very high—nearly 100% of men diagnosed at this stage will be disease-free after five years.
What are the side-effects of treatment?
Radiation therapy to the pelvic region may cause:
- Increased urinary frequency, pain in urination
- Diarrhea, constipation, hemorrhoids, rectal pain
- Fatigue
My doctor says there are two types of lung cancer. What are they?
Lung cancers can be divided into two types: small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. The cancer cells of each type grow and spread in different ways, and they are treated differently. Most lung cancers are non-small cell.
How is lung cancer treated?
The choice of treatment options for each person will depend upon the stage of the disease and the person's general state of health. Several kinds of treatment are available. Chemotherapy or a combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy are the most common treatments for small cell lung cancer. Surgery is usually the treatment of lung cancers that are localized (i.e., have not spread). Radiation therapy and chemotherapy are often used because the disease has spread by the time it is diagnosed.
What are the side-effects of treatment?
Radiation therapy to the lung/chest may cause:
- Skin redness, similar to sunburn, followed by dry and/or peeling skin
- Dry cough/shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Esophagitis (pain or difficulty swallowing, heartburn, sensation of a lump in the throat)