Using advanced radiotherapy to maximise treatment effectiveness

Your radiotherapy treatment

• Planning appointment icon plus

  Before you undergo radiotherapy treatment, your clinical oncologist and radiotherapy team will discuss the treatment options available to you. This includes any potential side effects and you can also ask any questions you may have.
  
  Once you have made an informed choice about your treatment, you will have a CT scan where with the help of a highly specialised radiotherapy CT scanner, a leading radiographer will assess the exact position of your tumour, and therefore where the radiation treatment will later be targeted towards.

  Dependent on the type of treatment you are having, there will usually be a period of 5-10 working days before your treatment commences. This is to allow for your treatment to be planned appropriately.
  
  

• First day of treatment icon plus

  It is quite normal to feel anxious on your first day of treatment. The radiotherapy team fully understands this and will assist you in many ways, answering any questions you have and helping you to become more relaxed as your treatment progresses.
  
  The treatment session lasts for about 15 minutes each day. Although the radiographers cannot be in the room with you during your treatment, they can see you at all times via CCTV cameras and can communicate with you through an intercom system.
  
  The radiographers will provide more detailed information about the treatment process when you come in for your planning appointment, and a member of our staff will familiarise you with the layout of The London Radiotherapy Centre.

• Emotional support icon plus

  The nature of having radiotherapy treatment can be a difficult time for patients and their families. Be assured, alongside delivering highly advanced treatment, within our multidisciplinary teams we have a number of counsellors and psychologists available to consistently provide patients with the emotional support you require throughout the treatment process.

• After your radiotherapy has finished icon plus

  Follow-up appointments
  As well as seeing you during your treatment, your clinical oncologist will arrange a follow-up appointment to see you around 6-8 weeks after your treatment has finished.

  Side effects and physical health
  Radiotherapy has a cumulative effect, with side effects beginning to peak 7-10 days after your treatment has finished, and gradually improving within four weeks of finishing treatment. This is however dependent on each individual's general health.
  
  It's important that you continue with your prescribed care routine until the side effects have subsided. 

  Caring for your skin
  Any skin effects may continue and get slightly worse after your treatment has finished. As a result you should continue to follow the skin care advice from our specialist team until your skin returns to normal.

  Be aware, your skin in the treated area will be very sensitive to the sun. It will need protecting from the sun and cold winds for at least 12 months after you have finished your treatment.

  Other side effects
  Similarly to skin effects, continue with your prescribed care routine for other radiotherapy side effects until they have subsided. Some patients may need longer to recover from fatigue than others, so remember to rest when you feel tired. Try to maintain your normal food and drink intake, do some gentle exercise and aim to get back to normal routines again.

  You will have follow up appointments and scans with your clinical oncologist following treatment; however it may be some time before you know the full benefits of your course of treatment. Your clinical oncologist will have explained this prior to your treatment course.

  Emotional effects and further support
  People respond to intense situations in different ways. You may feel anxious once the treatment has finished, as you are no longer in contact with medical staff on a daily basis. This is normal and support is available if you have any concerns. Please contact your clinical oncologist or The London Radiotherapy Centre team for advice.