Name of the Procedure:

Radiation Treatment Delivery, Superficial and/or Ortho Voltage, Per Day
Common names: Superficial Radiation Therapy, Orthovoltage Therapy, X-ray Therapy

Summary

Radiation treatment delivery using superficial and ortho voltage techniques involves directing low-energy X-ray beams at a targeted area to treat various skin conditions or shallow tumors. Each session, typically conducted on a daily basis, aims to damage and destroy cancer cells while sparing nearby healthy tissues.

Purpose

Conditions Addressed:

• Skin cancers (e.g., basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma)
• Superficial tumors

Goals:

• Eradicate cancer cells
• Reduce tumor size
• Minimize damage to surrounding healthy tissue

Indications

Symptoms or Conditions:

• Diagnosed superficial skin cancers or shallow tumors
• Tumors that cannot be surgically removed
• Patients who are not candidates for surgery due to health issues

Patient Criteria:

• Confirmed diagnosis of a condition appropriate for superficial or ortho voltage therapy
• Adequate baseline health to tolerate radiation treatment

Preparation

Pre-procedure Instructions:

• No specific fasting required
• Follow any medication adjustments as advised by your physician

Pre-assessment:

• Physical examination
• Imaging tests (e.g., X-rays, CT scans)
• Biopsy results confirming the malignancy

Procedure Description

1. Positioning: The patient is positioned comfortably on the treatment table.
2. Marking: The target area is marked, and protective shields may be placed around adjacent areas.
3. Delivery of Radiation: A superficial or ortho voltage machine is used to aim and deliver low-energy X-rays directly to the affected area.
4. Duration of Exposure: Each session lasts only a few minutes.
5. Completion: Patient is monitored briefly and then allowed to go home.

Tools and Equipment:

• Superficial/ortho voltage X-ray machine
• Positioning devices
• Protective shields or masks, if needed

Anesthesia: Generally not required; procedure is painless.

Duration

Each session typically lasts about 15-30 minutes.

Setting

This procedure is usually performed in an outpatient clinic or a hospital's radiotherapy department.

Personnel

• Radiation oncologist
• Radiation therapist
• Medical physicist (for treatment planning and setup)
• Nurse (for patient care and monitoring)

Risks and Complications

Common Risks:

• Skin irritation or redness at the treatment site
• Mild fatigue

Rare Complications:

• Radiation burn
• Secondary skin cancers (very rare)
• Localized infection

Benefits

Expected Benefits:

• Effective reduction or removal of superficial cancers and tumors
• Minimal damage to surrounding tissues
• Non-invasive alternative to surgery

Timeline for Benefits:

• Benefits may be observed within weeks of starting treatment.

Recovery

Post-procedure Care:

• Apply prescribed creams or ointments to treat any skin irritation.
• Avoid direct sun exposure to the treated area.

Recovery Time:

• Most patients resume normal activities immediately but may experience mild skin reactions for a few weeks.

Follow-up:

• Regular follow-ups with the healthcare provider to monitor progress and manage any side effects.

Alternatives

Other Treatment Options:

• Surgical excision: Direct removal of the tumor.
• Cryotherapy: Freezing the cancer cells.
• Mohs surgery: Layer-by-layer removal of cancer cells.

Pros and Cons:

• Surgery: Higher effectiveness for deeper tumors but more invasive.
• Cryotherapy: Minimally invasive but less effective for larger tumors.
• Mohs surgery: Highly precise but requires specialized expertise.

Patient Experience

During the Procedure:

• Typically painless
• Some patients might feel slight warmth or tingling

After the Procedure:

• Mild skin irritation or redness may occur
• Fatigue is possible but generally mild

Pain Management:

• Over-the-counter pain relief if needed (discuss with your doctor)

The entire experience aims to be as comfortable as possible, with thorough support from the medical team.