What is the role of a radiation oncologist in a patient's treatment journey?
Radiation oncologists at Aster Aadhar Hospital design and oversee the treatment plans through radiation therapy, aiming to cure cancer and prevent patients from hazardous health conditions and reactions. They work closely with other medical specialists like chemotherapists, monitor patients’ progress constantly, and adjust treatment accordingly.
How should I prepare for my first visit to a radiation oncologist?
Patients must carry all their medical reports and documents related to their cancer type and size or related health conditions. They also need to reach Aster Aadhar Hospital before the appointment time to ensure doubt-free sessions with medical experts.
When should I consider seeing a radiation oncologist?
You must consider seeing a radiation oncologist in Kolhapur post-treatment to get examined for cancerous cells and their potential for recurrence. Further, you must also visit when you’re diagnosed with cancer and radiation therapy is an integral part of the treatment. Moreover, for symptoms after treatment, you must visit the radiation oncologist.
What documents should I carry on my first visit to a radiation oncologist?
Patients are advised to carry their medical reports of cancer type and stage, test results and reports of previous treatment undergone, a list of current medications and symptoms, referral letters from previous doctors, and a list of questions that they want to ask radiation oncologists.
What are the most common types of conditions that radiation oncologists treat?
Expert radiation oncologists at Aster Aadhar Hospital treat a wide range of cancer types, including the three major ones: breast cancer, lung cancer, and prostate cancer. They also provide treatment care for liver cancer, lymphoma, brain cancer, bone cancer, colon cancer, and non-cancerous diseases, like trigeminal neuralgia and spinal cord tumours.
What advancements or technologies are utilised by radiation oncologists?
Aster Aadhar Hospital in Kolhapur is equipped with top medical equipment and technologies to treat various cancer types. Specialists diagnose and treat patients using Linac, IMRT, IGRT, SRS, SBRT, Brachytherapy, Proton therapy, VMAT, 4D Radiotherapy, CT scans, and MRI machines.
What question should you ask a radiation oncologist?
Patients must ask questions related to their health condition, like available treatment options, risks and benefits associated, treatment duration, precautions to consider during and post-treatment, and lifestyle changes required to maintain.
How does a radiation oncologist decide on a treatment plan?
They decide on a treatment plan after reviewing patients’ medical reports and test results of previous treatments and diagnostic tests. They conduct physical examinations, educate patients on cancerous cells’ treatment and radiation therapy effectiveness, and after getting their consent they decide on treatment plans.
What does a radiation oncologist do?
Radiation oncologists determine the effectiveness of radiation therapy and the therapy type considering the cancer that patients have to treat cancerous cells in the body. Further, they also ensure that the amount of radiation is appropriate for patients according to their cancer type and stage, and accordingly decide on further steps of treatment.