Radiotherapy is a treatment for cancer, it uses high-energy rays, such as x-rays, to treat cancer. Radiotherapy can be given for different reasons such as

  • to try to cure cancer
  • to try and prevent it from recurring (coming back)
  • to help relieve the symptoms of cancer, for example to help with cancer pain or to reduce bleeding

Radiotherapy works by destroying cancer cells in the area where it is given. Normal cells in the area can also be damaged by radiotherapy. 

  • this can cause side effects
  • these normal cells can usually repair themselves, but cancer cells cannot
  • as the normal cells recover, the side effects usually get better

Radiotherapy is carefully planned by a team of experts to be very accurate. This means it can be used to treat the cancer more effectively, while doing as little harm as possible to normal cells.

If Radiotherapy is an option for you, you will be referred to an Oncologist (a doctor specialising in Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy). Your Oncologist will give you some written information about your treatment and talk you through a consent form, you will be asked to sign this consent form and you will be given a copy to keep.

You might want to ask your oncologist or specialist nurse

  • what your Radiotherapy is aiming to do?
  • how you can prepare for your Radiotherapy?
  • what side effects or complications could happen?
  • how you will recover following Radiotherapy?
  • how long treatment will last?
  • whether you will need any extra help at home during this treatment?

Patients from South Tyneside and Sunderland who need Radiotherapy are referred to Newcastle Hospitals. Your doctor and nurse work closely with staff from Newcastle as part of the MDT (multi-disciplinary team). The website (in useful links below) provides more information about Radiotherapy at Newcastle.

Click here to watch a video for some general information about Radiotherapy. Click here to watch a video from the Northern Centre for Cancer Care around your visit.

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