First Visit

What Can You Expect?

Radiation treatment is a complex process, and every course is customized to meet your specific needs. Because of this level of customization and planning, your questions can be most accurately answered in person when we meet with you.

In general, however, there are six steps you can expect. Just keep in mind, certain steps may be combined, skipped, or completed several days apart (depending on the amount of work involved). 

  1. Consultation

    You will meet with a nurse practitioner or oncology nurse as well as a physician to discuss if radiation treatment is necessary and what is involved. If it is, we will begin discussing the best time to start. 

  2. Initial Simulation

    Positioning x-rays and/or scans will help us map out your customized treatment plan. Marks are placed on your skin to help line you up each day for treatment. Often, a CT scan is done to help with the planning process.

  3. Planning Days

    Treatment planning is “behind the scenes” work that doesn’t require you to be at the Cancer Center. Typically, this planning process takes anywhere from a day or two up to a week. Using the latest computer technology, we determine how best to administer your treatment.

  4. Confirmation Simulation

    We finalize your setup and marks based on the computerized plan that we developed during the planning stage.

  5. Trial Run

    This is simply a test to make sure that our plan is set up correctly. Often, this is done at the same time as step #4.

  6. Treatment Begins

    We typically begin treatment within a week of your initial consultation. However, this can vary significantly from patient to patient. This will be discussed with you during your consultation.

Your First Visit

What to expect on your first consultation

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Centers

Learn about the Temple Cancer Center at CHI St. Luke’s Health Memorial

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Radiation Therapy

Find answers to common questions about radiation therapy

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Meet Our Team

Sidney C. Roberts, MD, FACR

Sidney C. Roberts, MD, FACR

Radiation Oncologist

Madelene Collier, RN, OCN

Madelene Collier, RN, OCN

Radiation Oncology Nurse

Brittany Raines, RN

Brittany Raines, RN

Radiation Oncology Nurse

Jewel Randle, RT (R)(T)

Jewel Randle, RT (R)(T)

Lead Radiation Therapist

Aimee Salas, RT (T)

Aimee Salas, RT (T)

Radiation Therapist

Josh Yarbrough, RT (R)(CT)(T)

Josh Yarbrough, RT (R)(CT)(T)

Radiation Therapist

Julie McClain, RT (R)(T)

Julie McClain, RT (R)(T)

Dosimetrist

Linda Miller, MS

Linda Miller, MS

Medical Radiation Physicist

Sharon Hadnot

Sharon Hadnot

Support Specialist

Evelyn Leach

Evelyn Leach

Receptionist