It is very important that you lie in exactly the same position for each treatment session. For this reason, 3D-Conformal Radiation Therapy often uses a custom-fit body mold to ensure you are correctly positioned on the treatment table during radiation delivery. You may also receive several small tattoos, each the size of a freckle, to make sure you are accurately positioned at each treatment session.
Once your mold is created, you can begin your treatment schedule. During each session you will lie in the mold on the treatment table and your Radiation Therapist will use sophisticated imaging to confirm your position. Minor adjustments may be made to the table to ensure exact targeting of the tumor. The radiation delivery system then moves in a circular motion around you; delivering beams from different directions and shaping them around the tumor. The external radiation delivery system then moves in a circular motion around you; delivering beams from different directions and shaping them around the tumor. Sessions last only a few minutes, require no sedation and are pain-free. The number of 3D-Conformal Radiation Therapy sessions you will need depends on the size of the tumor, its location and stage.