Radiation Therapy

WHAT TO EXPECT | INSURANCE | PARKING


Welcome to the Radiation Therapy Center at Fairview University Medical Center-Mesabi. You have been referred to our center by your doctor for an appointment to discuss radiation therapy treatment for your disease. We hope this brochure will provide you with helpful information before your first appointment.
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WHAT TO EXPECT
Your first appointment is a consultation visit with the Radiation Oncologist, a physician who has had special training in using radiation to treat diseases. At this visit the doctor will review your records, examine you and discuss treatment options including risks and benefits of therapy. A Radiation Therapy Nurse will review the radiation treatment process and begin to teach you how to care for yourself while you are receiving treatment. Please allow 1 1/2 to 2 hours for the consultation visit.

When radiation therapy is selected as the course of treatment the next step before the radiation treatment can be given is called simulation. This involves special planning to design the area where the treatment will be given. A special planning x-ray machine located in the Radiation Therapy Center is used to pin point the area. In addition a treatment planning CT scan may be done to further outline the treatment area. This simulation process may take place on the same day as your consultation visit or may be scheduled for another day. Simulation takes approximately 1 to 2 hours. There are no restrictions on what you can eat or drink prior to your simulation.

Following simulation you will be scheduled for your radiation treatments. Therapy is given daily Monday through Friday for an average of 5 to 8 weeks. The number of treatments will be determined during your treatment planning. The treatment visits are short taking only 15 to 30 minutes.
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INSURANCE
Please bring your insurance card(s) to the first appointment. Most insurance covers the costs for radiation therapy but we encourage you to contact your insurance company for questions related to reimbursements. You may receive 2 or 3 separate billings: one from Fairview University Medical Center-Mesabi for the radiation therapy, one from Range Regional Health Services for the laboratory and radiology services and one from Lakeland Pathology for pathology review. Please let us know if you have any questions regarding financial concerns.
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PARKING
Parking is available on the west end of the Radiation Therapy Center building. Please park in the spaces marked HEMO/R.T. PARKING.

If you have any questions before your first appointment please call 1-800-662-8939 or 218-362-6784.

Our goal is to provide quality care to our patients in a sensitive, respectful and compassionate manner.

Download PDF Radiation Therapy Brochure
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