All patients referred to radiation oncology will be seen within two weeks of receipt of referral unless a delay is medically indicated (e.g., recovery from recent surgery).

Patients requiring emergency radiation therapy will be seen on the same day as they are referred. To facilitate this, direct contact with the staff radiation oncologist on-call is necessary. Patients requiring radiation therapy for palliation ( e.g. painful bony  metastases) will be seen within a few days - this can be arranged through the Palliative Radiation Oncology Program (PROP) site coordinator.
 
In order to make treatment decisions at the time of consultation, it is essential that we have: 

• all relevant consultation and follow-up letters
• pathology reports
• operative notes
• procedure notes
• all x-rays that the patients have had performed
• x-ray reports (this is especially important for patients been assessed for palliative radiation therapy)

Ideally, we would prefer to have as much information as possible ahead of the consultation visit. If this is not possible, then please ensure that the patients bring the information with them.

Given the highly emotionally charged nature of these first visits, we recommend that patients come with friends or family members, particularly if English is a second language. They will also find it helpful if they are told how to get to the hospital, and what to expect on the first visit.

We have outlined specific information on the following:

• Obtaining a Consultation
• Where We Are
• What Happens on the First Visit

This page was last updated March 16th, 2005 at 11:04am.