What happens when you come to our hospital for Radiotherapy?
The seven sections below are a guide on what to expect in your radiotherapy appointments. They include information on what will happen and how long things will take.
There is a section of leaflets that go into more detail about different areas the body and what to expect.
If you are unsure about anything in the information below or during your appointments please speak to a member of the team.
- Pre-Treatment and Planning
You will be invited for a radiotherapy planning appointment, where a CT scan will be taken with you in the treatment position.
You will be escorted into the CT scanner room and supported by your radiotherapy planning team.
hey will ask you to undress as required at this appointment to allow us to see the area to be treated, the radiographers will try to keep you covered as much as possible.
The CT scan helps to plan exactly the area of treatment.
During the procedure, the radiographer will draw some marks onto your skin.
They will ask your permission to make some of these marks permanent, using a small needle.
These tiny permanent marks, together with the measurements we have taken, will ensure the accuracy of your treatment on a day-to-day basis. (Include image of tattoo).
When you are being given the permanent marks, you may feel a slight scratch, but otherwise the process is painless.
The planning appointment usually takes between 20-40 minutes. It is important you lie as still as you can throughout the procedure.
At the end of this appointment we will give you the date and time for your first treatment. You will receive the rest of your dates and times when you attend for your first treatment appointment.
Your CT Scan will then be sent to the radiotherapy planning team who will plan your radiotherapy treatment under the instruction of your consultant oncologist. We aim to start your treatment as soon as possible but some treatments require detailed planning and take several days to prepare. Some patients will require further planning appointments before commencing treatment.
- Treatment
The treatment procedure is similar to planning. Please check in at reception preferably 1 hour or 30 minutes prior to your appointment time and attend the treatment machine as directed by reception. You will be called into a changing cubicle and provided an opportunity to discuss the treatment you are scheduled to have, answer any questions you may have and provide you with your remaining appointments. You will be asked to remove you clothing again and lie in the same position as you were for your planning appointment. The radiographers will find your permanent marks and use these to position you correctly for treatment.
Once the radiographers have positioned you for treatment, they will leave the room to switch the machine on. You will be in the room on your own during this time, but the radiographers will monitor you on a camera. If you need any assistance, you can attract their attention easily by signaling with your hands.
The treatment machine will move around you and make a loud buzzing noise when it is switched on, but you will not feel or see any of the treatment. It is important that you keep still to ensure the accuracy of treatment, and breathe as normal.
The treatment appointment usually takes between 15-45 minutes, but the actual time the treatment machine is switched on is only for a few minutes.
There can be side effects from radiotherapy, more information of these can be found on the patient leaflets below.
- Leaflets
There can be side effects from radiotherapy, more information of these can be found on the patient leaflets below.
- Immobilisation Equipment
Depending on where your treatment is being targeted you may be required to use immobilisation equipment to help you keep still during treatment.
Thermoplastic Mask
These are used mainly in treatments involving the head and neck.
Some masks extend down over the shoulders.
Knee fix and Foot fix:
These keep the legs and pelvis in a comfortable and reproducible position.
Breast Board
These boards enable patients to be positioned optimally for the treatment machine to treat the breast tissue.
Wing board
These are used for lung, lower oesophagus and for some abdominal treatments and ensure the arms are kept out of the way of the treatment beams by providing handles for our patients to hold.
The head is positioned on the blue headrest.
Radiotherapy for head and neck cancer - 360° (VR) - YouTube
Here is an example video journey of Jerry showing what happens in radiotherapy for the head and neck.
It is a 360 degree video so you can look around the room and get a good sense of what is going on. - Review Appointments
All patients undergoing Radiotherapy will be offered a weekly On Treatment Review appointment to help manage the side effect from the treatment.
Patients may be seen by a combination of health care professionals during this appointment including Consultants, Specialist Registrars, Advanced Practitioners or a member of the Review Team.
During this appointment patients will have the opportunity to ask questions or to talk about concerns relating to treatment.
The Radiotherapy Review Team consists of Advanced and Specialist Radiographers and Nurses that work alongside the medical team.All members of the review team are specially trained in the assessment and management of radiotherapy side effects.
The review team will ask questions relating to side effects during a review and they will offer advice and management strategies to help.
The review team will also assess if you require any medications and will be able to supply you with a prescription if required.
Referrals to other health care services that will be of benefit to you can also be done during this appointment.
- Holistic Needs Assessment (HNA)
Our Radiotherapy Cancer Care Coordinators are based in the Rosemere Centre at Royal Preston Hospital.
Ann (pictured here) and Cindy, our coordinators, offer support through the Holistic Needs Assessment (HNA) process.
The patient / family can take as much as they need from the assessment, it will be led by them.
We understand that every person’s experience of living with a cancer diagnosis will be different.
We can help tailor the care and support that patients feel they need by offering an assessment.Holistic care means we view every person as a unique individual and consider their physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs.
- After Radiotherapy
You will receive a follow up appointment approximately 6 weeks after your radiotherapy has completed. Generally, you will be followed up for the next 5 years.
