Radiotherapy is a specialised treatment using high energy rays (usually x-rays), or similar rays. It is used to treat cancer (and sometimes other diseases), and to destroy all the bone marrow before stem cell and bone marrow transplants.
You will have been exposed to radiation in the form of x-rays when having a CT scan or chest x-ray. But unlike a typical x-ray, radiotherapy delivers higher doses of radiation. The aim of radiotherapy is to destroy cancer cells and shrink tumours, while causing as little damage to healthy normal cells.
How is radiotherapy given?
Radiotherapy may be given on its own, or it may be used alongside other treatments. For example- before or after surgery and/or chemotherapy. Sometimes, radiotherapy and chemotherapy are given at the same time. This is called chemoradiation. Everyone is different. The doctor will decide a treatment plan for your exact needs.
How does it work?
Radiotherapy works by damaging cancer cells in the part of the body being treated. The radiation stops the cells from dividing and growing (stopping the cancer from spreading). It damages the 'information' that tells the cell what to do and when to do it.
Radiotherapy can also damage nearby normal cells. The normal cells are more likely to recover from the effects of the radiation than the cancer cells. Doctors take great care to protect a person’s healthy cells when they are having radiotherapy treatment.
Having radiotherapy
Radiotherapy can be given two ways:
- It can be given from outside the body. This is called external beam radiotherapy treatment. This is the most common type of radiotherapy treatment. A treatment machine called a Linear Accelerator aims the x-rays at a specific place in the body.
- It can be given from inside the body. This is called internal radiotherapy. A radioactive drink or injection can be given or radioactive wires or needles can be placed into the area that needs to be treated. Internal radiotherapy is quite rare in children and teenagers.
Who will I meet?
You will meet a whole team of people when you come for radiotherapy. They include:
- Consultant clinical oncologist- the doctor in overall charge of your radiotherapy. He or she heads a team of doctors (called specialist registrars) who will review your treatment regularly.
- Play specialists- play a very important role. They will see you at most of your appointments and help you prepare for treatment. They will provide information and support to you and your family.
- Radiotherapy radiographers- are the people you will come into contact everyday when you have your treatment. They work closely with the doctors to plan and give your treatment.
Don’t be afraid to ask them questions! If there is anything that is making you feel frightened or you don’t understand please ask.
Will I get any side effects from radiotherapy?
Everyone is different. Some people experience more side effects than others. The side effects you get will depend on:
- The part of your body being treated
- How much radiotherapy you are having
Side effects usually appear about two to three weeks into treatment, and will continue after you have finished your treatment. Common side effects you may experience are:
- Sore skin- your skin in the area being treated can become pink and sore or itchy, a bit like having sun burn. How much skin reaction you have depends on your type of skin and the area being treated. You may have hardly any skin problems. The doctors and radiographers will be able to give you advice on how to look after the skin in the area being treated.
- Feeling tired- you may feel tired while having treatment. Listen to your body and take time to relax or just have some extra rest when you can. Tiredness can carry on for some weeks or months after treatment has finished.
- Eating and drinking- you may not feel like eating much during treatment. Try eating lots of small meals during the day if you don’t feel like eating a big meal. If you are having problems, let the staff know and they can arrange for you to see a dietitian.
- Feeling sick- treatment may make you feel sick, especially if the treatment area is near your stomach. Your doctors can prescribe anti-sickness medication. Any feeling of sickness usually stops once treatment is over.
- Hair loss- you will only lose hair within the treatment area. For example, if you’re having radiotherapy to your head. Hair loss can also happen where the x-rays leave the body (for example on the back of the neck). Your doctor and the radiographers can show you exactly where your hair will fall out. The hair usually starts to fall out after 2 or 3 weeks. Most hair loss is temporary and your hair starts to grow back within 2-3 months of treatment ending.
- Diarrhoea- you may get diarrhoea plus stomach cramps and wind, if you have radiotherapy to the stomach and pelvis. Anti-diarrhoea medicines can really help and your doctor will make sure you have a supply.
Remember that most side effects last only a while. After treatment they will gradually go away and you will get back to normal.
Your clinical oncologist will talk to you in more depth about treatment and future side effects specific to you. You will be given books to read to help you understand what will happen.
For more help and information
Please ask your doctor or visit Teen Info on Cancer
Check out www.iface.org.uk – a discussion forum and information resource for young people affected by a skin condition or disfigurement of the face or body.
Last reviewed by UCL Hospitals NHS Trust: 8 February 2007
