Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy:

Radiotherapy uses X-rays to destroy cancer cells. The most common method of radiotherapy uses a machine (linear accelerator) to target X-rays at the cancer from outside your body. You do not usually have to stay in hospital to have radiotherapy. However for treatment to some areas of the body or towards the end of a longer course of treatment a hospital stay may be needed. Treatment may be given in one visit or as a daily course of treatment over several weeks. At your first appointment your cancer specialist and radiographers will plan your treatment. Treatment may not start on the same day as your first appointment.

The treatment sessions do not hurt and can last from a few seconds to several minutes. Side effects vary from person to person and will also depend on which part of the body is being treated. You can talk to your doctor specialist nurse or the radiographer about possible side effects and what can be done to reduce them. An information sheet about your treatment will be available from your consultant. You can find out more about radiotherapy by visiting our Radiotherapy section.