Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy uses high energy rays to kill cancer cells.
Radiotherapy is a local treatment. It may be given to you after surgery, to try to stop the cancer coming back. You may also be given combined treatment with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. This is to try to slow the cancer down and keep it under control. In mesothelioma, radiotherapy is used to try to control symptoms. It can be effective at controlling pain and fluid collection in the lungs or abdomen.
How is radiotherapy given?
The radiotherapy treatment is given in the hospital radiotherapy department. The treatment is usually given once a day from Monday to Friday with a rest over the weekend. The length of the treatment will depend on the area you are having treated.
Planning your treatment
Radiotherapy treatment has to be carefully planned. On your first visit, you will lie under a special machine called a simulator. This takes normal X-rays. The doctor uses it to work out where to give the treatment to kill the most cancer cells and miss as much healthy body tissue as possible.
Marks will be made on your skin during the planning session. These skin marks will be used to line up the radiotherapy machine every day when you have your treatment so it is important not to wash them off!
Having treatment
The actual treatment only takes a few minutes. The radiographer will position you on the couch and make sure you are comfortable. You will be left alone while you have your treatment, but the radiographer will be able to hear you.
Radiotherapy does not hurt. You will not be able to feel it, but will have to lie very still for a few minutes while you are being treated.
Radiotherapy does not make you radioactive. It is perfectly safe to be with other people, including children, throughout your course.
Side effects
The commonest general side effects of radiotherapy are
Reddening of the skin in the treatment area
Tiredness
Loss of hair in the treatment area
Your skin may look slightly sunburned in the area that has been treated. Do not use any creams or lotions unless the radiotherapy centre has given them to you.
Tiredness usually comes on towards the end of a course of treatment. It may take some weeks to go completely after your course of treatment is over.
Other side effects of radiotherapy vary depending on where in the body is being treated. If your abdomen is being treated, you may feel sick or have diarrhoea. These side effects are usually controllable with anti-sickness or anti-diarrhoea medicines. Ask your radiotherapy doctor for these if you need them.
If your chest is being treated, it is quite common to develop a dry sore throat and to have difficulty in swallowing during the treatment. If this happens it may affect your ability to eat, and to swallow certain liquids. If you are concerned about your diet a dietician may be able to advise you.
While you are having radiotherapy, your radiographer or a physiotherapist may ask you to do particular exercises. This is to help prevent stiffness and aching in the chest and shoulder, which some people develop after treatment is over.
Like the general side effects, specific side effects can get worse towards the end of your treatment and then gradually clear up after it has finished.
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