Learn more about Varian's Trilogy team.

In the first appointment, the radiation oncologist will evaluate your clinical background and prepare the Clinical History, taking into account all the information that you provide from the referring doctors.

Sometimes it will be necessary to repeat diagnostic studies or request additional ones.

During this consultation, the treatment you will receive will be explained in detail, as well as the estimated total duration (days, weeks, months), possible side effects and how to manage them.

Once your appointment with the doctor is finished, you will be assigned the day to undergo the Computed Tomography (CT) procedure, Magnetic Resonance when required and Simulation Scan.

The Simulation: it is a preparatory study for the treatment. It is carried out by means of a Tomograph where the doctor and the radiation therapist define exactly the treatment area.

With all the data obtained in the simulator and your clinical history, the radiation oncologist and the medical physicist will define the most appropriate treatment.

The treatment will typically be administered daily, Monday through Friday, and the duration will depend on each individual case. The treatment schedule will be agreed upon by the patient and the radiation oncologists operating the equipment.

Our imaging specialists are responsible for positioning the patient on the treatment table daily and will use the tattoo(s) created during the simulation as a guide for aiming the radiation beam. They also use IGRT (Image-Guided Radiation Therapy) technology, which uses computed tomography to position the patient precisely to irradiate only the targeted area. The radiation therapy treatment process can be divided into three stages:

A. Before

B. During treatment

C. After treatment

A. BEFORE

An imaging specialist will receive you and transfer you to the Tomography area, where the respective immobilization devices required for your treatment will be made and/or applied.

Next, a CT scan will be performed in the area to be treated previously established by your physician; this scan will help to plan your treatment in the most efficient and precise way.

Tomography is a very fast procedure, in most cases it does not exceed more than a few minutes. It is a painless procedure.

After the CT scan, your treatment provider will place small reference tattoos on your body or on the immobilization device using semi-permanent colored ink. These tattoos will help you position the device correctly on the treatment machine. Be careful when showering because the markings must not be removed until your treatment is complete. If they begin to fade, contact the radiation therapist so they can be re-marked. Each day, the device will be positioned in the same way as during the initial planning CT scan.

With the results of the simulation and your medical history, the radiation oncologist, the medical physicist, and the dosimetrist will analyze how much radiation is needed, how it should be administered and in how many sessions it will be applied. This process takes several days.

"The success of Radiotherapy lies in being able to reproduce the defined position in this first step on a daily basis"

B. DURING TREATMENT

Estimated Duration Time: 10 to 20 minutes (Except the first day of treatment, which will be 15 to 25 minutes)

The treatment will usually be carried out on a daily basis from Monday to Friday. Rest during the weekend allows normal cells to recover.

The duration of the treatment will depend on the treating physician's judgment, considering the size and location of the lesion, the type of tumor, your overall health, and any other treatments you are receiving. All treatments are different, so don't be surprised if you see other patients with completely different treatment plans. Before irradiation, the patient will be placed in the same position as during the CT scan. The treatment area will be verified using digital images obtained from the treatment console (Computer Area).

The equipment will move around you to locate the place or places where the treatment will be applied During each treatment session, you stay in the room for 10 to 20 minutes, but the radiation dose only lasts for 1 to 5 minutes.

The imaging specialists leave the treatment room before applying the radiation, which is done from computers located outside the bunker.

* Even if you feel alone inside the bunker, remember that you can be heard and seen at all times and you can also receive instructions through a speaker during your treatment continuously from the control console.

You will quickly become familiar with your treatment routine; please note that although each session lasts approximately 5-10 minutes, you will spend 30-40 minutes at the Medical Center between your arrival and departure.

C. AFTER TREATMENT

Keep the same cares, recommendations and restrictions that you had during your treatment for up to 30 or 60 days after your last radiotherapy session.

Radiation, used precisely at the appropriate levels, destroys the ability of damaged cells to grow and reproduce.
This radiation treatment fulfills the function of reducing the injury or of preventing some cells remaining after surgery from growing again.

"EVERYTHING is POSSIBLE to the extent that YOU BELIEVE it is POSSIBLE"

You can continue with your normal routine. Don't strain yourself. Each patient's body reacts differently to radiotherapy, for this reason the doctor plan the treatment individually for each patient.

He may suggest that you limit certain activities, such as sports, as appropriate. You will need to take good care of your body during the course of treatment to protect your health and help the process to be successful.

Here are some tips to remember:

Make sure you get enough rest. Sleep as often as necessary. Your body will need a lot more energy and you may feel a bit tired.

Good nutrition is essential: Try to eat a balanced diet to avoid losing or gaining weight. The nurse will indicate the appropriated diet according to your irradiated area.

Avoid wearing tight clothing such as girdles or tight collars over the treatment area. It's better to wear clothes that are comfortable and that you can wash or even dispose if it gets stained with ink.

Be extremely careful with the skin in the treatment area. Do not use soaps, lotions, deodorants, perfumes, cosmetics, powder or any other product in this area, without first checking with your doctor or nurse.

Do not apply heat or cold to the treatment area. Only use warm water to wash the area as you could injure your skin.

Protect the treatment area from the sun, if possible cover the skin with light clothing or wear a hat. Continue to protect your skin from the sun with a good sunscreen for at least one year after completing radiotherapy.

"Do not expose the treated area to the sun"

The collateral effects that may occur are different depending on the treated area. Your doctor will explain those that apply to your particular treatment.

• Radiotherapy: IS NOT PAINFUL.
• You ARE NOT RADIOACTIVE after or during treatment.
• You are not a threat to the health of your family, friends or pets.
• You DO NOT LOSE YOUR HAIR, unless the irradiation is applied to the head area.
• If you are PREGNANT, think you may be, or become pregnant during radiation treatment you should report this immediately.
• It is important that you remain STILL during the short application time.

You can attend your appointments accompanied by a person, if required. To avoid crowds in the waiting rooms, it is NOT advisable to attend with more than 1 companion or with children.

We kindly ask you to arrive at the Medical Center 10 minutes before the time indicated; in case of being late, it will cause delays in the treatment of other patients who arrive on time. In case of not being able to attend the appointment, you must notify the telephones: 2290-3447, 2290-3475, 2290-3481 and request a new appointment.

Take medications prescribed by your doctor only.

If you have any questions, please ask your radiation therapist, your nurse or treating physician. They are the only ones who can advise you on your treatment, side effects, home care, and any other medical concerns you may have.

The professional team at this Medical Center is comprised of Radiation Oncologists, Medical Physicists, Engineers, Dosimetrists, Radiation Therapists, Nurses, and an administrative support team. Each member plays a specific role throughout your treatment, from determining the amount and type of radiation, selecting the equipment to be used, and assigning you to your daily position on the treatment table, to managing patient care. All these professionals work together to provide excellent care for your treatment. By collaborating with them, you can help them achieve better results.