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Radiotherapy Notes

Radiotherapy uses radiation such as x-rays or protons to treat diseases like cancer. It can cure many cancers by destroying tumors or stopping their growth. Radiotherapy is often used before or after surgery to destroy any remaining cancer cells. While it may not cure some cancers, radiotherapy can slow their growth and reduce symptoms. Radical radiotherapy aims to cure cancer by damaging cancer cell DNA so they stop growing or die, while normal cells can better repair themselves.

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738 views3 pages

Radiotherapy Notes

Radiotherapy uses radiation such as x-rays or protons to treat diseases like cancer. It can cure many cancers by destroying tumors or stopping their growth. Radiotherapy is often used before or after surgery to destroy any remaining cancer cells. While it may not cure some cancers, radiotherapy can slow their growth and reduce symptoms. Radical radiotherapy aims to cure cancer by damaging cancer cell DNA so they stop growing or die, while normal cells can better repair themselves.

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Notes in Radiotherapy

Notes in Workspace:
Excerpt:

Radiotherapy is a painless procedure which uses radiation, usually


high energy x-rays, but sometimes, electrons, and more rarely
protons, to treat disease. It can cure many cancers by destroying the
tumour or stopping it from growing any further.(Radiotherapy Private
Treatment Cancer Partners UK, p.2)

Excerpt:

t is often used before surgery to reduce the size of a tumour prior to


removal, or after surgery to destroy any cancer cells that may be left
behind. In some cases the cancer cannot be cured, but radiotherapy
can be used to slow its growth and to manage and reduce cancer
symptoms(Radiotherapy Private Treatment Cancer Partners UK, p.3)

Excerpt:

The radiotherapy treatment which is given to destroy and potentially


cure a cancer is called radical or curative radiotherapy. Some benign
(non-cancerous) conditions can also be treated using radiotherapy.
Radiotherapy works by damaging the DNA within cancer cells causing
them to stop growing or die. Normal cells are also affected by
radiation, but they are better at repairing themselves than cancerous
cells.(Radiotherapy Private Treatment Cancer Partners UK, p.3)

Object Group
Textbox:

The LINAC, or linear accelerator, is a state-of-the-art piece of


equipment which moves quietly around the patient delivering
precisely calculated doses of radiation. There is nothing to see or
feel during the treatment. just a slight buzzing noise from the
machine and patients are welcome to play music on an iPod if
they like. During treatment, patients can wear a gown or their
own clothes; however clothing needs to be removed from the
area receiving the radiotherapy. Once the radiographers have

positioned the patient onto the couch, they will leave the room.
However they can see and hear the patient at all times via a
CCTV camera and they can communicate with the patient
through an intercom.(From 'What To Expect Cancer Partners
UK', page 3)
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Marks on your bodyMarks on your body The treatment areas will


be dened and marked out on your body using one or more small
permanent reference marks (tattoos) about the size of a pinhead
of coloured, permanent ink. These provide a reference point
during radiotherapy. You will be asked to consent to the use of
tattoos. As these tattoos are made with dark ink, they may not
show so easily on black skin. If this is a concern for you, ask your
radiographer if there are any alternative options. Sometimes an
indelible pen may be used to mark out the eld, although this
option is not always available. If this happens, you will be asked
not to remove these marks until the end of treatment. Depending
on which part of your body is going to be treated, it can be helpful
to think about the clothing you wear to this appointment. You may
wish to make sure that you wear clothes that cover up any marks.
If you are to have treatment to your head or neck, any marks will
be made on your mask.(From 'Radiotherapy preparing for your
treatment The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust', page 1)

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What is a mask?What is a mask? If you are having treatment to


your head or neck you will need to wear a special mask to keep
your head still. The mask will need to be worn for your planning
CT scan and your treatment. The mask is made of a perforated
sheet of thermoplastic and keeps you from moving during
treatment. Any marks to guide the radiographers can then be
drawn on the mask and not on your skin. You will be given an
appointment to attend the mould room. The technicians or
radiographers will explain what they are going to do and what
you need to do to help them. You will be positioned on a couch; a
sheet of thermoplastic will have been warmed in a water bath to
make it exible. It will be laid across your face and neck, and
gently pressed into position around your features. It will feel warm

and a little damp but is not an unpleasant sensation a bit like


holding a warm cloth on your face. Your mouth and nose will be
covered but you will be able to breathe normally through the
perforations. A well tting mask is dicult to make if you have
long hair or a beard or moustache, so you may be asked to tie
your hair back and shave any facial hair before your appointment
at the mould room.(From 'Radiotherapy planning your treatment
The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust', page 1)

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