Radiation therapy

radiation therapy (aka radiotherapy) delivers targeted radiation waves to kill or shrink cancer cells

The radiation waves are localised to target only the areas with cancer in them. It requires lying in a big machine like this one.

It can have a curative goal to kill the cancer or it can provide symptomatic management in palliative care to help with pain or to shrink large tumours. It can be used in combination with chemotherapy or other treatment options.

Radiation therapy usually requires multiple sessions per week. These should be scheduled for you in advance.

common side effects include fatigue, nausea, skin changes, hair loss and risk of infection

To help to focus the radiation waves to the area of cancer, different devices might be used to keep your positioning the same every day.

For example, a large plastic mask over your head and neck or small tattoo dots for lining up the radiation rays in the machine might be needed.

A great video with more information from young people about radiation therapy: https://vimeo.com/683631048