What to expect when getting brachytherapy to your lung Information for patients with lung cancer Princess Margaret Read this resource to learn: What is brachytherapy (internal radiation therapy) How do I prepare for treatment How long is my appointment What happens during my appointment How will I feel after my treatment How can I help my recovery Please visit the UHN Patient Education website for more health information: www.uhnpatienteducation.ca 2015 University Health Network. All rights reserved. This information is to be used for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for non-commercial personal use only. Author: Radiation Medicine Program in collaboration with other members of the health care team at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre Created: 12/2015 Form: D-8585
Name: Medical Record #: You have been scheduled for treatment on: Date: Date: Time: Time: Check in at the Reception Desk on Level 2B of the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. It is important that you arrive on time. What is brachtherapy? Brachytherapy (internal radiation therapy) uses radioactive material that is in a sealed container. This container is placed into or near your tumour. To treat lung cancer, the container is put into a long, narrow tube called a catheter. The tube is passed through your nose or your mouth and into your lung. Radiation is sent through the catheter to the tumour. The catheter is taken out after your treatment. Treatment does not make you radioactive and there will not be any radiation in your body after the treatments are done. Talk to your radiation oncologist (cancer doctor who treats you with radiation) to learn how many treatments you will get. 2
How do I prepare for treatment? Do not eat or drink after midnight the night before your treatment. It is important to have an empty stomach when you get your sedative (a medicine that helps you relax). If you take high blood pressure pills, take your blood pressure pill with a sip of water around 5:00 am on the morning of your treatment. Remove nail polish from your fingernails. You will have a monitor on your finger that measures the amount of oxygen in your blood. You must have someone drive you home after your treatment. You will feel sleepy from the medicine you get during treatment. How long is my appointment? You will be at the hospital for about 3 4 hours. During this time, you will: get ready for treatment get about 10 15 minutes of treatment spend time recovering after treatment What happens during my appointment? Get ready for treatment: In the treatment room, you will get an intravenous (IV) tube in your hand or arm. 3
You will get medicine through your IV to help you relax and feel sleepy during the procedure. You will gargle with medicine to numb your mouth and throat. Medicine may be sprayed in your nose to numb your nose. A device called a bronchoscope will be put into your nose or mouth to your lung. The bronchoscope lets the doctor see your lung. The catheter is put through the bronchoscope and down into your lung. X-rays will be taken to check the position of the catheter and to plan the treatment and the amount of treatment time you will need. Treatment: Once the catheter is in the right position, it is attached to the treatment machine. You will get treatment for about 10 15 minutes. You will not feel the radiation. The brachytherapy team will leave the room during the treatment. The team uses a camera to watch you and an intercom to talk to you during your treatment. Recovery: When the treatment is done, the catheter will be removed. You will go to a recovery room to rest until you are ready to go home. You may have a chest x-ray before you leave. You will get a follow-up appointment to see your radiation oncologist. 4
How will I feel after my treatment? You may feel sleepy or tired for many hours after your treatment. It is important to rest if you feel tired. You may have a sore throat for 24 48 hours. You may take Tylenol or other pain medicine as told by your doctor. You may cough more and cough up blood over the next day or so. The coughing and the blood are caused by the bronchoscope used during treatment. Please contact the radiation oncologist or radiation therapist if you have any concerns. How can I help my recovery? Avoid alcohol and tobacco Drink plenty of fluids Eat foods and drinks that are not too hot or cold Eat foods that are soft and not too spicy Slowly increase the amount of food you eat over time Call the brachytherapy team if you have any questions. Radiation Oncologist: Phone: Radiation Therapist: Phone : 5