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    Frequently asked questions


    We have listed the most frequently asked questions on this page. Click on each one to get the answer.
    If you have other questions, write them down so that you remember to ask your technologists at your next visit. If your questions are urgent, call your clinical technologist. 

    No.

    You won't feel anything during the treatment. The procedure is very similar to getting an X-ray.

    The position, which you will have to hold for 15 to 20 minutes, may cause you some discomfort. However, let your technologists know immediately if the immobilizer causes you pain while it is being made or during your planning scan.

    No. Although you will be treated with radiation, you won’t be radioactive. The radiation shuts off once the machine is no longer running. It will be safe for you to be around your family and pets.

    Your appointment will be about 15 to 20 minutes. It usually takes about 5 to 10 minutes for the technologists to position you correctly.

    Then it takes about 5 minutes for them to take a picture of your position and analyze it. The actual treatment (radiation) lasts about 5 minutes.

    Reproducibility: These tattoos make it easier for your technologists to position you in the same way every time in the treatment room.

    Hygiene: Tattoos mean you can bathe normally, as you won’t risk removing the markings used by the technologists.

    Discreet: The tattoos are barely visible. Patients used to be marked with big lines in red ink. 

    Ask your radiation oncologist for authorization to miss a treatment.

    Your treatment time may be changed on occasion to accommodate you. Talk to the technologists in your treatment room.

    Treatments are from Monday to Friday.

    Your technologists may have to cancel one of your treatments (with the agreement of your radiation oncologist) in the following situations:

    • machinery breakdown
    • machinery maintenance

    Yes. You can give your family or loved ones a tour of the treatment room before your treatment. You can also take pictures of the facility.

    • However, please inform your treatment room technologists in advance.
    • During your treatment, anyone accompanying you will have to return to the main waiting room.

    These should be removed only if they are located in the treated area. Metal can block radiation and decrease the image quality (by creating “artifacts”), which is why we ask you to remove these items during the planning and the procedure itself.

    Ask your technologists at your first treatment if you aren’t sure.

    You don’t have to close your eyes for the treatment, as they will not be affected by the radiation. The radiation is localized to the area determined by your radiation oncologist, and your healthy organs are protected by components in the machine. This means that your eyes are protected even if they are in the treated region..

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