Name of the Procedure:

Radiation Treatment Delivery (HCPCS Code: G6012)
Common Names: Radiation Therapy, Radiation Treatment
Technical Terms: Radiotherapy, Radiation Oncology

Summary

Radiation treatment delivery involves targeting cancerous cells with high-energy beams to destroy them. The procedure is tailored to treat cancer in three or more separate areas using various techniques like custom blocking, tangential ports, wedges, rotational beams, compensators, and electron beams with energy levels between 6-10 MeV.

Purpose

Radiation treatment is utilized to manage and treat cancer. The goal is to shrink tumors, kill cancer cells, and prevent the cancer from spreading. It can be used as a primary treatment, to relieve symptoms, or in combination with other treatments like surgery or chemotherapy.

Indications

• Presence of cancer in three or more distinct areas
• Tumors that may benefit from customized radiation techniques
• Patients who cannot undergo surgery
• Recurrence of cancer or residual disease after initial treatment

Preparation

• Patient may need to fast for a few hours before the procedure, depending on the specifics discussed with the doctor.
• Medication adjustments might be necessary; patients should inform the healthcare team about all medications they're taking.
• Pre-procedure imaging scans like CT or MRI to map out the treatment area precisely.

Procedure Description

1. Positioning: The patient is comfortably positioned on a treatment table, ensuring stability and reproducibility for each session.
2. Custom Blocking: Special shields (blocks) are created to protect normal tissues while allowing targeted radiation beams to focus on cancerous areas.
3. Tangential Ports/Wedges: Adjustments are made to angle the beams accurately and compensate for body tissue density, ensuring even radiation dose distribution.
4. Rotational Beam: The radiation source may rotate around the patient for comprehensive treatment coverage.
5. Compensators/Electron Beam: Additional devices are used to optimize the radiation dose, especially in complex treatment areas.
6. Treatment Delivery: High-energy beams are then precisely directed at the cancer cells, with total sessions and durations determined according to the specific treatment plan.

Duration

Each session's treatment time typically lasts about 15-30 minutes. The overall treatment requires multiple sessions spread over several weeks.

Setting

The procedure is conducted in specialized radiation oncology departments within hospitals or outpatient clinics.

Personnel

• Radiation Oncologists
• Medical Physicists
• Dosimetrists
• Radiation Therapists
• Nursing Staff

Risks and Complications

• Common Risks: Skin irritation, fatigue, localized hair loss, and mild swelling.
• Rare Complications: Severe skin burns, secondary infections, and unintended damage to nearby organs or tissues.

Benefits

Radiation therapy aims to destroy cancer cells effectively, potentially leading to tumor shrinkage or complete eradication. Patients may notice improvements in symptoms within a few weeks of beginning the treatment.

Recovery

• Post-treatment care involves following instructions to care for irradiated skin, managing fatigue, and maintaining nutrition and hydration.
• Recovery time varies, but many patients resume normal activities within a few days to weeks.
• Follow-up appointments to monitor progress and manage any side effects are essential.

Alternatives

• Surgery: Physically removing tumors, viable for accessible cancers.
• Chemotherapy: Using drugs to kill cancer cells, often used in conjunction with radiation.
• Immunotherapy: Boosting the body's immune system to fight cancer.
• Pros and Cons: Choosing surgery may ensure immediate removal of tumors but involves recovery from an invasive procedure. Chemotherapy can treat widespread cancer but also affects healthy cells. Immunotherapy offers a targeted approach but may not be suitable for everyone.

Patient Experience

Patients might feel a sensation of warmth or a slight tingling during the procedure but it generally causes no pain. Post-procedure, they may experience fatigue and skin discomfort, which can be managed with prescribed medications and self-care measures. Regular communication with healthcare providers helps to address and alleviate any concerns or discomforts.