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Radiotherapy at the Clínic

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Radiotherapy is a personalised treatment, designed specifically for each patient, and which is carried out with maximum precision and safety. At Hospital Clínic, we have state-of-the-art equipment and a highly specialised team that accompanies patients throughout the process.

1. Initial assessment

Each case is assessed by a multidisciplinary committee or Oncology Unit.

At the first visit, the radiation oncologist:

Evaluates the diagnosis and the most appropriate treatment
Explains what radiotherapy consists of in each case.
Resolves doubts and request informed consent.

A visit is also made with the radiation therapy nursing team, who reinforces medical information, explains possible side effects, and gives practical advice for treatment.

2. Treatment Preparation and Planning

Before starting treatment, it is necessary to plan it carefully. This process includes:

Position and immobilization:

It is important to reproduce the exact same position in each session. To do this, the radiotherapy technician, a simulation specialist, informs about the procedure and assesses the need to use personalised immobilisers, such as thermoplastic masks (for head and neck and brain), vacuum mattresses, pelvis/chest immobilisers (depending on the area to be treated), etc.

Computed Tomography scan Simulation:

When the patient is immobilized, a planning CT (scan) is performed, which may require contrast.

During the simulation, small tattoo dots are made, which are made with ink (superficial puncture, not painful), are painless and permanent, and help the radiotherapy staff to more precisely locate the area to be treated.

From this image, the medical team defines the exact volume to be treated, the healthy organs that must be protected, as well as the dose and number of sessions needed.

Dosimetry technicians then calculate the dose distribution with specific software together with hospital radiophysicists, and this treatment plan is validated, verified, and reviewed before starting treatment.

3. The treatment

The sessions are held in the radiotherapy bunkers (specific rooms). Before entering, the patient must be identified. For the sessions, the patient will be alone in the room, but monitored at all times by the team through cameras and intercom.

On the first day, the treatment is explained again and the first medical and nursing appointments are scheduled for follow-up.

In each session it is necessary to place the patient in the same position as during the simulation. Using the immobilizers and tattoo spots, a check image will be made to adjust the treatment position. Once verified, the treatment is performed.

Each session lasts only a few minutes, although it can be variable depending on the technique. It is very important that the patient does not move throughout the session to ensure maximum accuracy.

From there, the daily sessions begin. It is important to note that the patient does not emit radiation or is radioactive after treatment, so he or she can lead a normal life and be with other people without risk.