Your radiotherapy treatment

Radiotherapy treatment involves irradiating one or more cancerous tumours as prescribed by a radiotherapist. Several professionals are involved to ensure that your treatment is carried out safely and in compliance with the regulations.

The team in the medical physics unit (medical physicists, dosimetrists, technicians) studies the radiation methods best suited to the volume to be treated, calculates the doses and optimises dose distribution.
This work results in the establishment of a treatment plan, i.e. the dose of radiation per beam, per session and the number of sessions, validated by your radiotherapist.

The manipulators are responsible for delivering the radiotherapy treatment. They install you on the treatment machine (particle accelerator) and start the radiation treatment.

The 3 stages of radiotherapy treatment

• Preparation: this consists of a scan that will enable the team to acquire images useful to the physics unit. During this preparation phase, the technicians may put in place various means of restraint to prevent the slightest movement during the sessions (masks, wedges, mattresses, etc.). Temporary tattoo dots (made with Indian ink) will serve as markers for correct positioning on the machine.
• Positioning: This takes place under the treatment machine. It is used to check the positioning and parameters of the treatment plan. You will be positioned in exactly the same way as during preparation, with or without the aid of a personalised support and markers on the skin. This set-up session lasts at least 15 minutes. It must be approved by your radiotherapist before the treatment sessions can begin.
• Treatment sessions: At each session, you will be installed in exactly the same position. A session lasts between 10 and 30 minutes, depending on the complexity of the treatment. The irradiation itself will only last between twenty seconds and one minute for each beam. The total number of sessions is determined by the radiotherapist. Treatment lasts an average of 4 to 8 weeks, with 4 to 5 sessions spread over Monday to Friday. However, some treatments only require 3 to 8 sessions over 1 to 2 weeks. At the time of irradiation, you will be alone in the room. An audio-video system will keep you in constant contact.

The radiation is painless, invisible and non-radioactive for those around the patient.

Consultations with a radiotherapist

Throughout your treatment, you will have consultations with your referring doctor and the care team.

The first medical consultation

The radiotherapist you meet during this consultation will be your referring doctor in our department throughout your treatment.

This consultation often takes place after a multidisciplinary consultation meeting (RCP) at which the treatment strategy has been decided.

Your radiotherapist will review your previous treatments and examinations, carry out a clinical examination and decide on the treatment plan: external radiotherapy, combined radio-chemotherapy, etc. He or she will explain the benefits of the treatment, all the procedures involved and any undesirable effects during treatment and in the long term. All this information will also be written on your Personalised Care Plan (PPS), which will be given to you at the end of this consultation.

An initial appointment to prepare for the treatment will be arranged at the same time.

The first paramedical consultation: the announcement consultation

A radiotherapy technician trained for this interview will meet you in the technical support centre on the day you prepare for treatment.

This is a privileged moment between you and the radiotherapy technician, usually in the presence of a close relative, and lasts around 45 minutes.

• The technician will go over the treatment plan drawn up by the radiotherapist and then explain the practical details:
  the course of treatment,
• stages and duration, side effects, presentation of support care....

This information is included in your Personalised Care Plan, which is given to you at the end of the interview.

NB: You have the right to refuse this consultation.

Weekly monitoring consultation

Every week during your treatment, your radiotherapist will carry out medical monitoring during a consultation.

This consultation is organised after a treatment session to avoid you having to travel too far.

Its purpose is to assess your physical and psychological state of health, and in particular any side-effects of the treatment. Your doctor may ask you to undergo additional medical and paramedical examinations.

If necessary, a doctor is always present and available at the Radiotherapy Centre.

End-of-treatment consultation

At the end of the treatment, an end-of-treatment consultation is held with the radiotherapist, during which he assesses the side effects of the treatment, adjusts the medication prescriptions and explains the various monitoring examinations.

The doctor will draw up a radiation report and a treatment report, which will be sent to you and your referring doctors.

You will be given an appointment for your next consultation in 1 year's time.

Post-treatment consultations

You will be seen by your referring radiotherapist every year following your treatment.

During this consultation, the radiotherapist will check your response to the treatment and the absence of post-radiation after-effects of the treatment by means of a clinical examination and additional tests.

The doctor will schedule further appointments if necessary, and plan another consultation for next year.

After radiotherapy treatment.... follow-up

At the end of your radiotherapy treatment, you will be seen by your doctor for the "end-of-treatment consultation". At the end of this consultation, you will be invited to the follow-up consultation in one year's time.

This follow-up will be organised by your radiotherapist in accordance with good practice recommendations, depending on your state of health.

Your medical and treatment records are archived at the Radiotherapy Centre and are fully computerised.

If your contact details or any other administrative data concerning you change, please notify our reception or admissions secretaries.