How does the doctor determine when you have had enough radiation?

[Quiet Warrior]

I am scheduled to start radiation treatment for cancer in a couple of weeks. According to my surgeon they removed all the cancer. No chemo is needed and my lymph nodes were clear.

 

[Waytootiny]

The radiation dose is calculated by: type of cancer, location ,body mass, if any cells were left after resection , etc. The radiotherapist puts together a treatment plan before the treatment starts and baring any complications they stick to the plan which is usually 20-40 days of very short treatments.

 

[thinkingtime]

My doctor likened radiation in such a case to an antibiotic that you get when an abscess is emptied, to kill off the tiny bits that mght still be around.