Patient Pathway
Once a decision to proceed with radiotherapy has been made, a number of steps are required before starting treatment. The exact process will depend on the area to be treated and whether other treatments, such as chemotherapy, are needed. Consultations with other members of the multidisciplinary team, such as the dietician and dentist may also be necessary. Most patients should start radiotherapy within four weeks of commencing the planning process. For most types of radiotherapy treatment, you will be given an information booklet that explains all of this in a little more detail.
Pathology Tests
To prepare for radiotherapy - and indeed during a patient's radiotherapy/chemotherapy treatment - it may be necessary to take blood and other specimens. ...read more
Simulation/CT
For precise planning of their radiotherapy, almost all patients require simulation. This involves the use of imaging in the form of x-ray or CT scanning. ...read more
Mould Room
Some patients having radiotherapy will need an individualised immobilisation device made to allow them to remain as still as possible during simulation and treatment. ...read more
Radiotherapy Planning
Once the CT is carried out, it is sent electronically to the planning department. The areas to be treated and the organs to be protected are outlined on the CT and a customised plan is created for the patient. ...read more
Dental Review
If a patient is going to require radiotherapy to the mouth or neck region, it may be necessary to be reviewed by a specialist dentist. ...read more
External Beam Radiotherapy (EBRT)
External Beam Radiotherapy (EBRT) refers to radiation directed at you from outside the body. This can be delivered in a number of different ways, including via a Linear Accelerator (Linac), Cobalt or Orthovoltage units. ...read more
Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT)
Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) is a form of external beam radiotherapy that uses linear accelerators to deliver multiple small radiation beams to a tumour. ...read more
Volumetric-Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) / RapidArcTM
Volumetric-Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) is a newer form of IMRT that delivers external beam radiotherapy through a continually rotating radiation source that encircles the patient. ...read more
Image-Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT)
Image-Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT) uses imaging with x-ray or CT during a course of radiation. ...read more
Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT)
Stereotactic body radiotherapy is a specialised type of external beam radiotherapy that allows the delivery of high doses of radiation to small tumours, while minimising the dose received by the surrounding normal tissues. It is used most frequently to treat early lung cancers. ...read more
Deep Inspiration Breath Hold Radiotherapy
Deep Inspiration Breath Hold Radiotherapy is external beam radiotherapy that is delivered while the breath is held in comfortable inspiration. It is most commonly used when treating breast cancers. ...read more
Orthovoltage Therapy
Orthovoltage or contact therapy uses low-energy x-rays to treat superficial skin cancers. ...read more
Radioisotope Therapy
This therapy uses radiopharmaceuticals - radioactive elements combined with a drug or naturally occurring agent - that deliver therapeutic doses of radiation. ...read more
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the use of drugs, usually given intravenously or by mouth that travel around the whole body to kill cancer cells. ...read more
Targeted Therapy
Targeted therapies are drugs that block the growth of tumours by acting on specific molecules that cause cancer cells to grow and divide rapidly. ...read more
Hormone Therapy
Some cancers are hormone-sensitive, which means they tend to grow and divide more rapidly when high levels of particular hormones are present in the body. ...read more
