What Is The Simulation Process?
Once the physician prescribes the type and amount of radiation that best suits the patient’s needs, a simulation procedure will be scheduled. This may be done on the consultation day, or may be scheduled at a later time. During this procedure a CT or fluoroscope may be utilized to identify the tumor and mark the treatment area. Also, various angles and measurements are calculated and the more technical aspects of the treatments are planned from these films and calculations. This procedure may take as little as 30 minutes or as much as two hours, depending on complexity. Prior to the patient’s first treatment, customized lead blocks may be fabricated from these planning films to protect normal tissues as much as possible.
