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Conveniently located at the corner of Mock Ave. and St. Mary's Drive on the St. Mary's Medical Center campus, our staff of physicians, nurses and radiation therapists (certified by the American Society of Radiologic Technology and the American Registry of Radiologic Technology) offers a treatment program tailored to each patient's specific needs. Our goal is to make every step of treatment easy to understand and as comfortable as possible. The expertise of our staff and our advanced treatment technology, which includes 3-D treatment planning, and Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), provide each patient the care needed to return to an optimal state of health.
What it Radiation Therapy?
Radiation therapy is one of the most common treatments for cancer and used in more than half of all cancer cases. It uses a stream of high-energy particles to destroy or damage cancer cells. Thousands of people become free of cancer after receiving radiation treatments alone or in combination with surgery or chemotherapy.
How Do I Get Started?
Once a personal physician has referred a patient for radiation therapy, a consultation appointment will be scheduled. At this appointment, a radiation oncologist specially trained in the use of x-ray energy for the treatment of cancer will collect health history, review medical records, conduct a physical examination and develop an individual treatment plan customized for each patient's specific cancer.
The Simulation Appointment
If radiation therapy is recommended, a simulation appointment will be scheduled. A simulation involves special x-ray pictures that are used to plan radiation treatment so the area to be treated is precisely located and marked. The radiation oncologist will also specify areas to be blocked and protected from treatment. This blocking protects normal tissues and decreases the side effects of treatment. One week following simulation, the office will contact the patient to arrange for a regular treatment time.
Treatment Sessions
At the first treatment session, staff will check to assure that the blocking is accurately protecting the areas designated by the radiation oncologist. These blocks are customized for each patient and placed on special holders on the machine for treatment. After this initial treatment session, the patient returns daily at the same time for a 15-minute treatment. The patient, staff and radiation oncologist meet weekly to evaluate the patient's progress, discussion of side effects and changes in care if necessary. Family members are welcome at these appointments.
Office Hours
The Radiation Oncology Department is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. We area closed from noon to 1 p.m. for the lunch hour. After hours, on weekends and holidays, the office phone is answered by the answering service. The office number is 816-655-5592.
Location
The Radiation Oncology Department is locate at the corner of Mock Avenue and St. Mary's Drive on the St. Mary's Medical Center campus.
300 Northwest Mock Avenue
Suite 100, Lower Level
Blue Springs, Missouri 64014
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