For the vast majority of patients coming to Princess Margaret Hospital for the first time, the visit is for a consultation with one or more oncologists. A radiation oncology consultation is an assessment by one of our expert physicians that involves

• a review of your records and imaging studies
• a review of your history and physical examination
• a discussion of findings and recommendations.

Because this is a teaching hospital, a medical student, resident or fellow working with that physician may see you first. They will perform parts of the assessment. The radiation oncology consultant may review your case with other specialists, such as radiologists, pathologists and surgical or medical oncologists. Parts of the examination may be repeated to determine the exact extent and nature of the disease so we can design the most appropriate program of treatment. Depending on the complexity of the problem, the consultation process may take up to several hours to complete (normally it is concluded within an hour or so).

Following the consultation, you may be sent for

• further blood work
• imaging
• consultations

with other specialized team members such as the dietician or social worker. As a rule however, these tests and appointments are arranged on another day and time.

In specially pre arranged situations, you may proceed directly to radiotherapy treatment planning. In urgent or emergency situations you may even start radiotherapy on the same day. Generally speaking, for complex non-urgent cases, it is policy to start radiation treatments within two weeks of making a decision to treat.

For further information see Patient Information.

This page was last updated June 18th, 2010 at 9:34am.