Your First Appointment
Integrated Cancer Care of Indiana is proud to be your partner for radiation therapy treatment! We are committed to delivering the highest quality care to our patients in a comfortable location that is close to your home. The radiation treatment process includes an initial consultation visit, imaging and simulation, and ongoing treatment visits. This page has everything you need to prepare yourself for your first appointment at our Indiana cancer center.
What to Expect
Your first visit is a consultation for both you and your radiation oncology team. It’s an opportunity for us to learn more about your specific case and for you to get your questions answered.
Expect to answer a lot of questions at this first appointment! In order to evaluate your radiation therapy needs, we will ask you about your past medical and surgical history, family history of cancer, medications, allergies, and lifestyle. The radiation oncologist will also review any existing pathology reports, imaging, or discs. After reviewing your history and paperwork the oncologist will conduct a physical exam and then discuss the treatment options available for your type and stage of cancer.
Indianapolis Location
8902 N Meridian St #104, Indianapolis, IN 46260 Phone. (317) 853-4500 Fax. (317) 893-1981 M-F 9:30 AM–5:30 PM Learn more about this locationGreenwood Location
679 E. County Line Rd.
Greenwood, IN 46143
Phone. (317) 893-1980
Fax. (317) 893-1981
M-F 6:30 AM–3 PM
What to bring with you and preparation
Click Here to Download our New Patient Checklist
Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment and bring the following:
- Other doctor’s names and phone numbers
- Insurance cards
- Medical history
- List of medications you are currently taking
- Driver’s license, military ID or passport for photo identification
- Biopsy (pathology) reports
- Imaging reports and discs (if applicable)
- Any questions or concerns you want to bring up to your doctor at your first appointment
We provide assistance with insurance, including pre-authorization, pre-certification for services, and assistance determining benefits. Please call if you have any questions.
Yes! We encourage you to bring a family member or friend to this appointment and to others in the future. Not only is it nice to have someone along for company, but they can also assist you in taking notes as you talk with the team, as well as offer emotional support. It is also helpful to bring someone else in case you need help with transportation to your visits. We will explain the daily check-in process to you during your first radiation treatment, but family or friends may come with you to sit in the waiting area while you are having treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long does my first visit last?
You should prepare for your first visit to last for 90 minutes, so plan accordingly.
What kind of questions should I bring?
First, please read through our New Patient Checklist prior to your appointment. This checklist includes several topics that we will review with you during your appointment. Some other common questions for the first appointment include details about who will be creating your radiation therapy plan or working with you in ongoing treatments, what will be necessary for treatment planning, and who to talk to if you have difficulty during treatment.
If I consent to radiation therapy, what should I do to prepare?
You need to take extra care of yourself during radiation therapy. Not only should you plan for extra rest so that you can recover from your therapy visits, but you should also make sure you eat a balanced diet and drink liquids regularly.
What happens after I decide to move forward with treatment?
If you consent to treatment at our cancer center, we will then set up and schedule you for your imaging and simulation appointments. These appointments are necessary for effective treatment, as proper measurement of your anatomy and imaging of your body ensure that radiation beams are properly aimed at the same target each time. These visits involve placing your body in the same way that it will be positioned during treatment and may include marking your skin or creating immobilization devices to help you remain in the same position during the treatment. Once you’ve completed imaging, your radiation treatment will begin 10 – 14 days later.
Are there side effects to radiation treatment?
While our treatments are precisely targeted to avoid as much radiation dose as possible to healthy cells, it is possible for treatments to injure or destroy normal cells along with the cancer. This can cause side effects like fatigue, loss of appetite, skin irritation, or issues with the bladder or bowels. You should always tell your treatment team about any side effects you experience, so that they can help you manage or mitigate them, or adjust treatment.
What happens after my treatment is over?
While you will no longer have daily visits with your radiation team, we will schedule a follow up appointment after your treatment concludes so that your radiation oncologist can make sure that you are recovering properly and monitor your health after treatment. Your radiation oncology team at Integrated Cancer Care is always available if you need to speak to someone, no matter how long it has been since your treatment.