Scheduling & Treatment
Make Your Appointment Today
If you don't yet have an appointment you may schedule one by calling 720.848.0100. Please be ready to provide the name of your primary and/or referring physician, your insurance information, and your diagnosis. Our department schedulers will assist in scheduling an appointment with a radiation oncologist that specializes in the treatment for your type of cancer. Once you have been scheduled for your initial consultation, you may expect that your case will be treated in the following manner.
- Consultation
- Simulation
- Treatment
- Follow-up Appointments
- Night and Weekend Problems On-Call Help
For more information regarding radiotherapy, please visit one of the following websites.
Consultation - On your first visit, a staff physician and resident will consult with you and evaluate your case. They will review your x-rays and lab studies, ask you about your medical history, and perform a physical examination. Treatment options and potential side effects will be discussed and explained to you. This meeting might take several hours.
Simulation - Prior to the start of your radiation treatment, the physician and a radiation therapist will perform treatment simulation. During simulation, the therapist will locate the area to be treated using CT scans to ensure accuracy. Cradles and/or body casts may be used to ensure you maintain your exact position on a day to day basis as you progress through your treatment. In most cases simulation takes place several days after consultation.
Treatment - The actual treatments will start several days after the simulation. The number of treatments will vary, depending on your case. The full course of treatment may take several weeks. It is very important that you receive all of the treatments that your physician prescribes, even if you are feeling better. The area to be treated will be carefully outlined and no other part of your body will be treated with radiation. You will not become radioactive. We encourage you to continue your usual daily activities. When you receive your treatments, you will not be able to see or feel the radiation beam and there is no pain involved in the actual delivery of treatment. During treatment, you will be alone in the treatment room for several minutes. However, a television camera and an intercom system allow the therapists to see and communicate with you.
Appointments - Appointments for treatment are available throughout the day, Monday through Friday. You will be able to schedule your appointments with the treatment therapist. If you must be late or miss an appointment, please call the treatment therapist where you are receiving your treatment to let them know and make other arrangements for your treatment. If you do not have their number available you can call 720.848.0129 for assistance. By notifying us in advance, we can accommodate other patients. You should allow 30-45 minutes for each treatment. When you arrive for your appointment, we will try to keep your waiting time to a minimum. Occasionally, however, there may be unforeseen delays. Your patience and understanding are appreciated.
Follow-Up Appointments - After your course of radiation treatment is completed, you will be scheduled for follow-up appointments. It is very important that you keep these appointments. Your follow-up appointments may be scheduled either at University Hospital or at the Tomotherapy Center when your physician is working at that location.
Night and Weekend Problems - A physician is always available on call to help you at night or on weekends. If you have an urgent problem after hours, call 720-848-0000 and ask the operator to contact an on-call physician. In case of emergency, call 911. When you get to the hospital emergency room, be sure to let the emergency room staff know that you are currently receiving radiation in the Department of Radiation Oncology.