CT Radiotherapy Planning
When using Radiotherapy in the treatment of cancer, it is important to gather as much information about the cancer as possible. This is where the Radiotherapy Planning CT comes in. It will show the cancer and the structures around it, allowing your Doctors to plan treatment that exposes as little of normal tissue and as much of the cancer as possible.
Please advise us beforehand
If you have had an adverse reaction to a previous contrast injection or other drugs or if you have any renal impairment. We will ask you to complete a questionnaire before the examination and sign a consent to the contrast injection if it is required for your examination.
Please advise us if you are, or think you may be, pregnant.
What happens during the procedure
You will lie down on the scanner couch with the treatment area exposed. The radiographer will put some markers on your skin (these show up on the scan as white dots) and are used to take measurements to plan your radiotherapy treatment. You will then have your images taken. Once these are finished, they will give you small permanent dots on your skin which are used to position you correctly each day when you have your radiotherapy.
You may also have to;
- Have an injection of dye to show your kidneys
- Have wires places on lumps or scars
- Drink liquid with dye to how your bladder
- Drink barium liquid to show your oesophagus and/or stomach
- Dependent on where your cancer is, you may need a mould or mask created
How long does it take?
The actual CT scan takes around 30 minutes, though the session itself may take longer.
You may need more than one planning session.
After your examination
If you have had contrast, you’ll need a high fluid intact for 24 hours to help flush your system.