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With more than three decades of experience caring for patients in Western Washington, Tacoma Valley Radiation Oncology Centers have become recognized leaders in providing high-quality, personalized care for many types of cancer. We are pleased you and your doctor have chosen us for your care. We know life doesn’t get put on hold for cancer, and we will do our best to make your treatment time with us as comfortable, friendly and efficient as possible.
Patients are usually referred to us so that we may determine if their condition can be helped by radiation treatments. If radiation treatments are indicated, our radiation oncologists will plan the best possible way to administer the treatment to be the most effective and to minimize side effects as much as possible.
Please explore our site to learn about Tacoma Valley Radiation Oncology Centers, and also to find out more about oncology in general. We have included extensive information about cancer and its treatment as well as frequently asked questions.
Because cancer is a life-changing event, we have included links to the latest news in cancer care as well as to support programs and national organizations. We encourage you to read through this information and consider joining a support group. Remember – you’re not in this alone. Never hesitate to ask us questions. Let us know what we can do to make your experience with us the best it can be as we go through this part of your cancer journey with you.
Your first appointment with Tacoma Valley Radiation Oncology Centers will be a consultation visit with one of our board-certified radiation oncologists. This visit will include a health history, a physical exam and a discussion of treatment recommendations and/or options. It may be necessary to schedule other diagnostic tests in order to determine the best course of treatment and/or your physical ability to start treatment.
The next scheduled appointment is usually for review and discussion of test results and/or for a simulation. This appointment may take 30 to 90 minutes. A simulation involves using either specialized CAT (CT) scan or other X-ray films to determine the treatment field position. It will be at this time that pen marks and/or tattoos will be placed on the skin so that we can position you precisely for the radiation therapy treatment. The temporary skin markings indicating treatment areas should not be washed away until you are instructed to do so. If you are marked with the permanent tattoos, do not attempt to remove them. These tattoos are a record of the location of the treatment field for your current treatment. This particular treatment field may need to be identified many months or even years in the future. If a CT scan is required either before or sometime during your treatment, it will most likely be performed at our office where we have a specialized dedicated scanner used only for radiation treatment planning. This procedure may take 10 to 30 minutes.
Treatment usually begins between 7 to 14 business days after the simulation appointment. This allows us to complete complex computerized treatment planning. Additional time may be necessary for planning the more technical forms of therapy. The number of treatments prescribed by your radiation oncologist will depend on the size, location, type and radiosensitivity of the disease or tumor as well as your general health condition. The length of time for the treatment varies with each individual and depends on the type of treatment planned by your physician. Generally, the actual treatments take a short amount of time and are painless. The radiation therapists will position you on the treatment machine and will then leave the room during the actual treatment. It will be important for you to lie very still during the treatment. You will be monitored via an audiovisual system for your safety.
Treatments are generally given daily, Monday through Friday, at approximately the same time each day. We will attempt to accommodate any requested specific time of day as best we can. Occasionally, there may be an unavoidable delay that will necessitate you waiting beyond your scheduled appointment time, and we apologize should this occur. We assure you, however, that we do make every possible attempt to keep the treatment schedule on time to get you back to your day.
For those who may have physical difficulties, there is a wheelchair available for you at each treatment facility. Unfortunately, due to liability issues, our staff members will not be able to assist you into or out of the treatment center office. So please be sure to make arrangements to have someone come with you to help you in and out of your car and into the treatment center. Thank you for your understanding of this policy.
Side effects due to radiation therapy are expected. These are related to the size and location of the area being treated and to the treatment technique prescribed by your physician. We will talk with you on an individual basis so you will know what side effects you can expect with your particular treatment plan. Radiation therapy skin reaction is one of the most common side effects of treatment. We offer a few general suggestions in order to keep the skin in as good condition as possible. We recommend:
If you are concerned about any reaction you experience during your course of treatment, please bring it to the attention of your nurse or radiation therapist. We want to help you remain as comfortable as possible.
Another very common side effect of radiation therapy is fatigue or lethargy. It is important to avoid becoming over-tired. It may be helpful to take rest periods during the day. Again, please talk with us if you need suggestions on managing side effects of treatment.
Our staff will closely monitor you during the course of your treatment. You will be seeing your radiation oncologist once a week for an evaluation. It may be helpful to keep a written list of questions for this visit. If you have questions or any problems that need immediate attention, please let the nurse know as soon as possible upon your arrival so that we can address your needs without delay. Should you need to have a prescription filled or refilled, please notify the nurse 2 to 3 days ahead of time so that it can be taken care of for you in a timely manner.
To ensure you receive the best treatment possible, we believe you should be aware of both your rights and responsibilities:
We all share the concern over the rising costs of healthcare. In an effort to keep costs down, we ask our patients to make all co-payments at the time of service; this eliminates the expense associated with mailing out bills for co-payments.
We are preferred providers for most regional insurance plans and are participating providers for Medicare. We bill primary and secondary insurers directly.
To ensure the procedures associated with your care are covered, please check with your insurer prior to treatment.
Tacoma Valley Radiation Oncology Centers accept VISA and MasterCard. In cases of financial hardship, payment arrangements can be made. Please direct your questions to our Patient Accounts Department at 253-779-6325.
To reach a physician for urgent needs after business hours, please call (253) 272-1077. The answering service will take your call and contact the physician on call.
If you are interested in learning more about Tacoma Radiation Oncology Center or would simply like more information about our services, contact us and a member of our team will respond accordingly.
At Tacoma Valley Radiation Oncology Centers we’re passionate about our patients. Our caring and highly trained team will treat you like family while providing you with the most advanced treatment planning and sophisticated, cutting-edge radiation therapies with the highest level of quality and personalized care.
