Radiation Therapy Frequently Asked Questions

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer, understanding your treatment options can help you feel more prepared for the next step. Below are answers to common questions about radiation therapy, treatment planning, side effects, technology, insurance, and receiving care at Coastal Radiation Oncology.

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About Radiation Therapy

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What is radiation therapy?

 

Radiation therapy, also called radiotherapy, is a cancer treatment that uses high-energy radiation to damage the DNA of cancer cells, preventing them from continuing to grow and divide. It can be used to treat cancer, reduce the risk of cancer returning, slow cancer growth, or relieve symptoms caused by cancer.

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The type of radiation therapy recommended depends on factors such as the type and stage of cancer, the location and size of the tumor, nearby healthy tissues, your medical history, and other treatments you may be receiving.

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What does a radiation oncologist do?

 

A radiation oncologist is a physician who specializes in treating cancer and certain other conditions with radiation therapy. The radiation oncologist evaluates your diagnosis, determines whether radiation may be appropriate, develops and prescribes your treatment plan, monitors your progress, and helps manage treatment-related side effects.

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Radiation oncologists work with a specialized team that may include radiation therapists, medical physicists, dosimetrists, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.

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How does radiation therapy work against cancer?

 

Radiation therapy damages the DNA inside cancer cells. When that damage becomes severe enough, cancer cells can no longer continue dividing and eventually die. The body then naturally removes the damaged cells.

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Modern radiation techniques are designed to deliver an effective radiation dose to the treatment area while limiting exposure to nearby healthy tissues as much as possible.

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Is radiation therapy painful?

 

You generally cannot see, feel, or hear the radiation itself during external beam radiation treatment. Receiving external beam radiation is painless, although some patients may develop side effects during the course of treatment depending on the area being treated.

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Your Coastal Radiation Oncology team will monitor you throughout treatment and discuss symptoms or side effects that may occur.

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Will I be radioactive after radiation therapy?

 

Patients receiving external beam radiation therapy do not become radioactive from the treatment and do not give off radiation afterward.

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Some forms of internal radiation therapy, called brachytherapy, involve placing a radiation source inside or near the treatment area. Your radiation oncologist will explain whether any temporary precautions are necessary if this type of treatment is recommended.

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Radiation Treatment at Coastal Radiation Oncology

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What types of radiation therapy does Coastal Radiation Oncology offer?

 

Coastal Radiation Oncology provides a range of advanced radiation treatment technologies and techniques. Depending on the diagnosis, treatment plan, and Coastal location, these may include Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT), Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT), stereotactic radiosurgery, 3D radiation treatment planning, brachytherapy, and superficial radiation therapy.

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Not every technology is appropriate for every patient or available at every location. A radiation oncologist determines the treatment approach based on each patient's individual diagnosis and medical needs.

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What is Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)?

 

Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy, or IMRT, is an advanced form of external beam radiation therapy. Computer-guided technology allows the radiation team to adjust the intensity and shape of radiation beams so the prescribed dose can conform closely to the treatment area while limiting radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissues.

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IMRT may be used for a variety of cancers depending on the tumor's location and the patient's treatment plan.

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What is Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT)?

 

Image-Guided Radiation Therapy, or IGRT, uses imaging before or during radiation treatment to help confirm the position of the treatment area.

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Because tumors and internal organs can move or change position, IGRT can help the radiation team make precise positioning adjustments before radiation is delivered. It is frequently used together with techniques such as IMRT.

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What is Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT)?

 

Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy, or SBRT, is a highly precise form of external beam radiation therapy that delivers focused doses of radiation to a defined treatment area, typically in fewer treatment sessions than conventional radiation therapy.

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SBRT may be appropriate for certain cancers and clinical situations. Whether it is appropriate depends on factors including the type, location, size, and stage of the cancer as well as the patient's overall medical condition.

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Does Coastal Radiation Oncology offer radiation treatment for prostate cancer?

 

Yes. Coastal Radiation Oncology treats prostate cancer and offers advanced radiation therapy techniques that may include IMRT and SBRT.

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The appropriate treatment depends on factors including the stage and characteristics of the prostate cancer, imaging findings, symptoms, overall health, and other clinical considerations. A Coastal radiation oncologist can review your diagnosis and discuss which treatment options may be appropriate for you.

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Can radiation therapy be used to treat skin cancer?

 

Yes. Radiation therapy can be an appropriate treatment for selected basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers.

Radiation may be considered when surgery is not appropriate or desired, when a tumor is located in an area where surgery could be difficult, or in certain situations after surgery. Coastal Radiation Oncology offers superficial radiation treatment at selected locations for appropriate skin cancers.

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A radiation oncologist should evaluate the tumor and your medical history to determine whether radiation therapy is an appropriate option.

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Can radiation therapy be combined with surgery or chemotherapy?

 

Yes. Radiation therapy may be used alone or as part of a treatment plan that also includes surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy, or other treatments.

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For some cancers, radiation is given before surgery; for others, it may be given after surgery to reduce the risk of cancer returning in the treated area. Radiation can also be given alongside certain systemic cancer treatments. The appropriate combination and timing depend on the individual diagnosis.

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Preparing for Radiation Therapy

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What happens during my first radiation oncology consultation?

 

During your initial consultation, the radiation oncologist will review your diagnosis, medical history, pathology results, imaging studies, and other relevant medical records. The physician will discuss whether radiation therapy may be appropriate, explain potential treatment options, and answer your questions.

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If radiation treatment is recommended and you decide to proceed, the next step is generally a treatment-planning appointment called a simulation.

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What should I bring to my first radiation oncology appointment?

 

Depending on which records Coastal has already received, you may be asked to provide medical records such as pathology reports, imaging reports, previous treatment information, and copies of relevant scans or images.

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Having complete medical information available allows the radiation oncologist to properly evaluate your diagnosis and treatment options. The Coastal office can tell you which records are needed before your consultation.

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What is a CT simulation for radiation therapy?

 

A CT simulation is a treatment-planning appointment used to determine the precise area and position for radiation treatment.

During simulation, CT images are typically obtained in the position that will be used during treatment. Depending on the area being treated, positioning devices, a mask, small skin marks, or other techniques may be used to help reproduce the same position accurately during future treatment sessions.

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The radiation oncologist, medical physicist, and dosimetry team use this information to develop the individualized radiation treatment plan.

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How long does radiation treatment take?

 

The number and frequency of radiation treatments vary considerably depending on the diagnosis and technique being used. Some treatments may require only a few sessions, while others are delivered over several weeks.

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For many external beam treatments, the radiation itself is delivered within minutes, although additional time is needed for positioning, imaging, and safety checks. More complex radiation techniques can require longer appointments.

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Your radiation oncologist will explain the recommended number of treatments and expected schedule before treatment begins.

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What side effects can radiation therapy cause?

 

Radiation therapy side effects vary depending on the part of the body being treated, the radiation dose, the treatment schedule, and individual patient factors.

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Fatigue is common during radiation therapy. Other possible side effects are usually related to the treatment area and may include skin changes or irritation, digestive symptoms, urinary symptoms, swallowing difficulties, or other localized effects.

Your radiation oncology team will discuss the side effects that are specifically relevant to your treatment and monitor you throughout therapy.

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Coastal Radiation Oncology Locations and Access to Care

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Where does Coastal Radiation Oncology provide cancer treatment?

 

Coastal Radiation Oncology currently provides care at locations in Thousand Oaks, Ventura, Lompoc, Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo, and Templeton.

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Available physicians, technologies, and treatment options may differ by location. Patients can contact Coastal Radiation Oncology or request a consultation to determine the most appropriate location for their care.

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Does Coastal Radiation Oncology still have a Simi Valley radiation oncology office?

 

Coastal Radiation Oncology no longer lists Simi Valley as a current treatment location. Coastal has cared for patients from the Simi Valley community for more than 20 years and continues to welcome Simi Valley patients at its Thousand Oaks location.

The Thousand Oaks – North Oaks Radiation Oncology Medical Center is located at 2230 Lynn Road, Suite 103, Thousand Oaks, California 91360.

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Where can former Simi Valley patients receive radiation oncology care?

 

Patients from Simi Valley can receive radiation oncology care through Coastal Radiation Oncology's Thousand Oaks – North Oaks Radiation Oncology Medical Center.

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Coastal continues to serve the Simi Valley community from the Thousand Oaks location, where patients have access to Coastal physicians and advanced radiation treatment technologies.

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Can patients from Simi Valley see Dr. Eugene Ahn in Thousand Oaks?

 

Yes. Dr. Eugene Ahn practices at Coastal Radiation Oncology's North Oaks Radiation Oncology Medical Center in Thousand Oaks. Dr. Ahn has cared for patients from the Simi Valley community for many years and continues to welcome Simi Valley patients for consultations in Thousand Oaks.

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Patients can request a consultation with Coastal Radiation Oncology to discuss their diagnosis and determine the appropriate next steps.

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What radiation treatments are available at the Thousand Oaks location?

 

Coastal's North Oaks Radiation Oncology Medical Center in Thousand Oaks offers advanced treatment options including Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT), Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery for appropriate brain conditions, 3D radiation treatment planning, and high-dose-rate brachytherapy.

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The specific treatment recommended depends on the patient's diagnosis and individualized treatment plan.

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Insurance and Scheduling

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Does Coastal Radiation Oncology accept Medicare and insurance?

 

Coastal Radiation Oncology contracts with a number of insurance providers and plans, including Medicare and Medicaid. Coverage varies by insurance plan and by the specific treatment being provided.

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Patients should contact the Coastal location where they plan to receive care to verify current insurance participation, benefits, authorization requirements, and potential out-of-pocket costs.

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How do I schedule a consultation with Coastal Radiation Oncology?

 

Patients can request a consultation through Coastal Radiation Oncology's online Schedule a Consultation form or contact a Coastal Radiation Oncology location directly.

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The consultation allows a radiation oncologist to review your diagnosis and medical history, discuss whether radiation therapy may be appropriate, and answer questions about possible treatment options.

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Do I need a consultation to find out whether radiation therapy is right for me?

 

A consultation with a radiation oncologist is the appropriate way to determine whether radiation therapy should be considered for your individual diagnosis.

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During the consultation, the physician can review your pathology, imaging, previous treatments, medical history, and other factors before discussing potential radiation treatment options, expected benefits, possible risks, and alternatives.

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The information provided on this page is for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Individual treatment recommendations vary. Patients should discuss their specific diagnosis and treatment options with their physician or radiation oncologist.