Radiotherapy is used to treat cancer at the place where it is in the body. It uses carefully calculated doses of radiation (similar to X-rays) to kill cancer cells. It can cure some cancers, and reduce the chance of cancers returning after surgery. The treatment is painless, but there can be side effects.
There are three ways in which radiotherapy may be delivered:
External radiotherapy
Using a machine which is precisely directed at a particular area of the body.
This therapy often means going for treatment as an outpatient over a number of weeks. The treatment only takes a matter of minutes, but you will need to bear in mind the travelling and waiting times when you are making arrangements.
External radiotherapy can be given to you as an inpatient, especially if you live a long way from your treatment centre, if you are frail or having particular problems with side effects.
Internal radiotherapy
Radioactive material is implanted next to the cancer, using either tubes, wires or needles, under a general anaesthetic.
If you receive radiotherapy internally, you will need to remain in hospital while the implants are in place. Although you can have visitors, visits from children and pregnant women are restricted or sometimes not allowed, because of the risk posed to them by the radiation.
As a drink
A drink called radioiodine is used to treat thyroid cancer.
Radioiodine can occasionally cause slight neck and face discomfort and a temporary increase in thyroid activity. There is a high risk of developing an underactive thyroid that will require life long thyroxine replacement tablets.
Side effects
Because radiotherapy is a localised treatment, side effects tend to be local too.
Some people also experience general effects such as tiredness, loss of stamina and loss of concentration while they are going through treatment.
Some people also feel low, or get swellings, and many get a skin reaction similar to sunburn in the area being treated.
The radiotherapists and nurses at the unit you attend should be able to tell you about the likely side effects of your particular treatment and what you can do to relieve them.
Most side effects should disappear soon after treatment has ended, but very rarely they can be severe and long term.
Make sure you ask as many questions [PDF, 32 Kb] as you want during the treatment process.