Radiation Oncologists, P.C. Your Treatment

Consultation

Purpose

The purpose of this visit is to discuss the use of radiation therapy treatment for your cancer.

What happens

During your visit, the Radiation Oncologist will take a detailed history, perform a physical examination, review the role of radiation therapy in your care and answer your questions. If radiation therapy is not recommended, the physician will discuss the reasons with you.

Informed Consent Process

Once you feel that you have a full understanding of the proposed treatment, risks, side effects and other possible treatment options, you will be asked to sign a consent form. Before you sign the consent form, you need to make sure that you are comfortable with the explanation that you have received. Even after you have signed the consent, your physician is always available to answer new questions or to provide additional information. You may withdraw your consent at any time and for any reason.

What to bring

We encourage you to bring family members and significant others with you to the consultation appointment. They may be able to help you during the consultation process and have their own questions answered. You may be asked to bring information with you to the appointment such as x-ray, laboratory studies and results of test.

Basic questions you might ask include:

  1. What is my diagnosis?
  2. How serious is my diagnosis?
  3. What methods of treatment are recommended?
  4. Are there other treatment options? What are they?
  5. What are the benefits of the recommended and alternative treatments?
  6. What are the risks or complications of the recommended and alternative treatments?
  7. Are there discomforts associated with the treatments?
  8. What methods will be used to prevent or relieve these discomforts?
  9. What are the side effects of the treatment—immediate, short-term, and long-term?
  10. What impact will treatment, or not having treatment, have on my normal functions and activities?
  11. How long will treatment last?
  12. How long will it be before I can resume normal activities?
  13. How much does the treatment cost?