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Treatment series
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A highly trained radiation therapist delivers the daily treatments. You will meet each week with your radiation oncologist, who will monitor side effects and answer your questions. Your significant others or family members may accompany you to these weekly meetings to discuss their concerns and ask questions as well. Each week, films of the treatment fields (the areas where the radiation beams are directed) will be obtained for your radiation oncologist to review. The films are used to verify the accuracy of the treatment fields and serve as documentation. The films do not give information about the status of your cancer. They are used only for treatment purposes. When your treatment series has ended, your radiation oncologist will talk with you about precautions you should take to protect the treated area.
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Your treatments will be delivered every day for six-and-a-half weeks.
This is standard and necessary to deliver a therapeutic amount of
radiation while minimizing anticipated side effects. During the first
five weeks, the entire breast will be treated. During the final
one-and-a-half weeks, a "radiation boost" that targets the lumpectomy
site is conducted. (A separate, shorter simulation session is scheduled
during the third or fourth week of treatment to prepare for the boost
treatment.)
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