Specialists

Radiotherapy

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Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy is a treatment involving the use of high-energy radiation. It’s commonly used to treat cancer. Almost half of all people with cancer have radiotherapy as part of their treatment plan.

Radiotherapy uses 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. These normal cells are usually able to repair themselves, but cancer cells cannot. As the normal cells recover, the side effects usually get better.

Radiotherapy is also sometimes used to treat benign (non-cancerous) tumours and other conditions, such as thyroid disease and some blood disorders.

Treatment types

Intensity – modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)

This is a type of cancer treatment that uses advanced computer programs to calculate and deliver radiation directly to cancer cells from different angles. It allows for higher, more effective doses of radiation while limiting damage to healthy tissues and organs around it, increasing the chance for a cure and lessening the likelihood of side effects.

IMRT is used to treat many types of cancer, including prostate, head and neck, lung, brain, stomach, and breast cancer.

IMRT is a form of external beam radiation therapy, where a machine called a linear accelerator directs radiation in the form of high-energy X-ray beams toward cancer cells.

Volumetric Arc Therapy (VMAT)

VMAT can also be called Rapid Arc.

VMAT is different to normal IMRT in that the radiotherapy machine rotates around the patient during a radiotherapy beam in an arc shape. The machine continuously reshapes and changes the intensity of the radiation beam as it moves around the body. Giving the radiotherapy in this way makes it very accurate, shortens the treatment time, and uses a lower overall dose of radiation. The treatment usually takes about 10 minutes.

Image guided radiation therapy (IGRT)

IGRT is the use of a variety of imaging techniques, such as X-rays or CT scans, alongside radiotherapy. Imaging confirmS the position of the patient and the tumour and target the radiotherapy beam more precisely

What's involved?

Consultation Process

Symptom assessment

The consultant will ask you to describe your symptoms and concerns and take a medical history.

Physical examination

The consultant will carry out an appropriate physical examination.

Tests and investigations

The consultant will arrange appropriate tests and investigations such as blood tests and imaging.

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