Before radiation treatments begin, you will go through a treatment planning process called "simulation" to confirm that the treatment machine will treat the exact location on your body. A map of the area on your body where the radiation is to be delivered, referred to as the treatment field(s), is created. A machine called a simulator, which is designed to mimic the movements and settings on the actual treatment machine (called a linear accelerator) that will be used to administer the radiation therapy to you, is used.
Throughout the process, X-ray films will be taken. The entire simulation takes approximately an hour, but, the actual time may vary slightly. Since you will be lying on a hard table under the simulator for most of this time, you may experience some pain or discomfort. Should this occur, tell the technician. Keep in mind that the time necessary to deliver the actual radiation therapy treatments is only minutes, not nearly as long as the time required for the simulation.
