What Happens in The Treatment Room During Each Treatment?
Once the treatment position is verified by a physician, the treatment is given. After changing into a gown, the patient enters the treatment room. The patient either lies in the mould or sits in a chair and is fitted with the mask. With laser beams as guides, the patient is moved to a position that is usually within half a centimeter (less than a quarter of an inch) of the calculated optimal position. To make the position more precise, the radiation therapy technologist obtains several low-power diagnostic radiographs or digital images. Distances from various bone landmarks to the isocenter are measured on these daily images. These are compared to identical measurements made on computer-generated films based on the planning CT scan. Usually, it is necessary to move the patient a few millimeters to make the daily position conform exactly to the prescribed treatment position. These measurements and movements are performed by radiation therapy technologists. After any necessary movements
