Radiation Machine

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granitegirl
granitegirl Member Posts: 22
edited June 2014 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

I will be starting my Radiation treatment at Sloan Kettering in NYC on Monday for stage 0 DCIS.   I have had two biopsies and clear margins, the RO has perscribed four weeks of Radiation. 

Last week I had the Sim and this afternoon I had what they call the set-up or dry run.   It was the first time I saw the actual Radiation Machine as was a bit surprised.   Over the past six months I have had mamos, CAT scans and MRI's and the machines were all high tech brand new giant plastic made by GE and Phillips.   The Radiation machine looked right out of a 1959 Sci-Fi movie, brown and made out of metal.   I asked the technican if that was state of art as it looked so old.   She assured me that it was an excellant machine and not to be concerned.   I am sure it is OK, as I am confident that Sloan has the best resources.

I am just curious, is an older looking machine typical for Radiation.   Looking forward to hearing what all you informed, experienced and helpful ladies have to say.

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  • Faith316
    Faith316 Member Posts: 2,431
    edited March 2012

    If you are concerned, I'd ask to talk to your radiation oncologist.  I doubt the tech has much knowledge about it; she has just been trained to run it but probably doesn't know the specs about it. 

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  • redsox
    redsox Member Posts: 523
    edited March 2012

    I can't tell from your description why it looks old.  I would not think plastic is better or newer than metal.  If you have doubts ask your radiation oncologist how old the machine is and tell him/her your concerns.  I would think all of the linear accelerators at MSKCC are reasonably new.

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  • Jodycat
    Jodycat Member Posts: 123
    edited March 2012

    The picture I'm linking ti isn't of me, but it could be the machine used on me:



    http://cancer1.info/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Breast-Cancer-Treatment-Guidelines-from-the-National-Comprehensive-Cancer-Network.jpg



    I was at MD Anderson in Houston.

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  • MizMarie
    MizMarie Member Posts: 332
    edited March 2012

    The machine being used for my treatment is just like the one in Jodycat's photo.  It delivers an IMRT beam, so it is definitely state-of-the-art, but guess what?  It broke down and my treatment for today was cancelled.  So much for superior modern technology.

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  • granitegirl
    granitegirl Member Posts: 22
    edited March 2012

    I asked the Technician if I could take a picture of the Machine and the answer was a definite no, I wanted to post it as it does not look like the one in Jodycat's pic.  The machine in the room next to one of have been using does, so go figure.

    I have had 7 Treatments out of a total of 15 regular ones so far and have not had any problems.   The 15 Treatments are done in the prone (face down) position and then I have 5 scheduled boosts which will be done while on my back.   The Technician said that the boosts will be done with the other machine.  Maybe the "older looking machine" is better suited for the prone position...

    I will be glad when it is over and I am Cancer free, hopefully forever.

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