- cancer information
- Treatment
- Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy is always carefully planned and given by a team of experts at a specialist centre, this is usually at Weston Park Hospital.
It can be delivered in different ways depending on your type of cancer. The treatment is usually given as an out-patient. If there are any changes to this, your medical team will explain this to you.
A planning process is often needed before actually starting the treatment, your specialist team will explain this to you.
Radiotherapy involves the use of high-energy rays called radiation to treat cancer. It destroys cancer cells in the area where the radiotherapy is given. Some normal cells in the area being treated can also be damaged by radiotherapy. This can cause side-effects both short and long term. These normal cells are usually able to repair themselves, but cancer cells cannot. As the normal cells recover, the side effects usually get better.
Your medical teams will explain all of this to you and provide written information. It is important to follow guidance given by your team to help with side-effects short and long-term.
The treatment is generally given as an out-patient, again this will be explained by your teams.
These links will explain the different ways of delivery dependent on your cancer
Prior to the start of your treatment, you will be given a calendar of dates and times to attend for treatment excluding Saturday and Sunday. You will be reviewed regularly during treatment, but if you have any questions or problems please ask when attending for treatment or give your specialist team a call. You will also be given an emergency helpline number incase you have concerns.
