Treatment appointments

Radiotherapy treatment appointments at ESNEFT

When you arrive, please book in at reception and the receptionist will direct you to the correct waiting area.

The radiographers will ask you to lie on the treatment couch. They will spend a few minutes positioning you correctly using the tattoo marks that were placed on your skin when you had your CT planning scan. You will need to remain as still as possible during this process and breathe as normal, or as the treatment team instruct you.

When you are correctly positioned, the radiographers will leave the room whilst you have your treatment. They can see you on CCTV throughout your treatment and they can also hear you and speak to you over the intercom. This routine will be the same every time you come for treatment until your course is completed.

The treatment usually only takes a few minutes to deliver.

Radiotherapy treatment equipment

ESNEFT has the following types of treatment machine:

• Linear Accelerator – Linac (External treatment)
• Orthovoltage machine (External treatment)
• Brachytherapy (Internal treatment)

Radiotherapy is only given to the area of your body where your cancer needs treating.

The Linac is very big and may be a little noisy.  It can move around you delivering radiation to your body from many directions.  It will not touch you.

The Orthovoltage machine is smaller and will be in contact with your skin but only in the area marked by your doctor, this shouldn’t be uncomfortable.

Brachytherapy will deliver treatment inside your body and is commonly used for gynaecological cancers.

Common side effects of radiotherapy

We will give you specific information relating to the side effects that you may experience.

We can also advise you on how to help manage these side effects.

Common side effects include:

• tiredness
• skin reaction