“How long does a radiation therapy treatment usually last?”
I have to have radiation therapy. What determines how long it usually lasts?
8 Answers
Usually 15-20 mins daily from start to finish
Each treatment lasts a few mins, every days from 4 weeks to 8 weeks depending on the type of tumor, what stage and whether it combines with chemotherapy or surgery or not.
The actual "in room" time is typically between 10-15 minutes. The beam is only on for about 2-3 minutes.
That would depend primarily on whether the treatment is curative or palliative.
In the palliative setting, in general the treatment conventionally can be done over one fraction( one treatment), 5 fractions or 10 fractions. Other considerations, will include the area treated, the size of the area treated and accessibility of the radiotherapy centre.
In the curative setting, the conventional radiotherapy either 3D Conformal Radiotherapy or Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy Treatment (IMRT) may include multiple treatments from fifteen fractions ( eg in chest-wall treatment after Total Mastectomy) to as many as thirty-nine fractions ( eg Prostate Cancer). Nowadays you have very focal treatment in the radical setting that can be delivered via special techniques and special radiotherapy equipments eg stereotactic body radiotherapy by Linear Accelerators or by Gamma -Knife or by Cyberknife, that can deliver radical doses from single fractions to ten fractions. Again location and size of the lesions play an important factor determining the number of fraction used.
In the palliative setting, in general the treatment conventionally can be done over one fraction( one treatment), 5 fractions or 10 fractions. Other considerations, will include the area treated, the size of the area treated and accessibility of the radiotherapy centre.
In the curative setting, the conventional radiotherapy either 3D Conformal Radiotherapy or Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy Treatment (IMRT) may include multiple treatments from fifteen fractions ( eg in chest-wall treatment after Total Mastectomy) to as many as thirty-nine fractions ( eg Prostate Cancer). Nowadays you have very focal treatment in the radical setting that can be delivered via special techniques and special radiotherapy equipments eg stereotactic body radiotherapy by Linear Accelerators or by Gamma -Knife or by Cyberknife, that can deliver radical doses from single fractions to ten fractions. Again location and size of the lesions play an important factor determining the number of fraction used.
Radiation therapy treatment various on the treatment site and goal of treatment. The beam on time is usually for minutes.
Depends on tumor type and stage and what other treatments are anticipated. For sensitive. Diseases like lymphoma it may be just 3 weeks after chemo but for less sensitive tumors it may be as much as 7 weeks. Some newer technologies now are being investigated with only 1-5 treatments but this is only for specific situations.
The short answer: it depends. It depends on whether you are speaking of daily treatment "beam on" time or the entire treatment course of management. It also depends on whether you will be receiving treatment for palliative or curative intent, and whether treatment will be standard or a more sophisticated plan.
Using modern linear accelerators, the "beam on" time is generally several seconds to a few minutes per treatment. Both palliative and curative treatment can be delivered over a short period of time using a sophisticated plan. In general, for palliative care, a standard treatment course can extend from 10 to 15 treatments depending on the site and the disease type. Curative plans for management of certain sites, such as the head/neck, prostate, uterine, usually extend over a 6- to 8-week time period.
Using modern linear accelerators, the "beam on" time is generally several seconds to a few minutes per treatment. Both palliative and curative treatment can be delivered over a short period of time using a sophisticated plan. In general, for palliative care, a standard treatment course can extend from 10 to 15 treatments depending on the site and the disease type. Curative plans for management of certain sites, such as the head/neck, prostate, uterine, usually extend over a 6- to 8-week time period.
Dear Patient,
If you are inquiring about the duration of the entire course of recommended radiation treatment, the number of fractions (treatments) prescribed by your physician (radiation oncologist) is determined by the type of cancer, as well as the site (part) of the body involved with cancer (example, breast, lung, etc.). If your question specifically refers to the time required for each radiation treatment — the dose of radiation prescribed, the treatment technique and the type of radiation machine being utilized, will all dictate the treatment time per fraction. However, typically, each daily treatment will be delivered in approximately 7-10 minutes. I do inform my patients that although treatment delivery time is 7-10 minutes, accurate patient positioning must be verified prior to each daily treatment. Thus, the total time "on the treatment table" is approximately 10-15 minutes.
Hopefully, the explanation above has adequately addressed your question.
Regards,
Dr. EB
If you are inquiring about the duration of the entire course of recommended radiation treatment, the number of fractions (treatments) prescribed by your physician (radiation oncologist) is determined by the type of cancer, as well as the site (part) of the body involved with cancer (example, breast, lung, etc.). If your question specifically refers to the time required for each radiation treatment — the dose of radiation prescribed, the treatment technique and the type of radiation machine being utilized, will all dictate the treatment time per fraction. However, typically, each daily treatment will be delivered in approximately 7-10 minutes. I do inform my patients that although treatment delivery time is 7-10 minutes, accurate patient positioning must be verified prior to each daily treatment. Thus, the total time "on the treatment table" is approximately 10-15 minutes.
Hopefully, the explanation above has adequately addressed your question.
Regards,
Dr. EB
