What is radiotherapy?

Radiotherapy is a treatment using exact, carefully measured doses of high energy radiation, usually x-rays or gamma rays. Usually several beams of radiation are carefully and accurately directed to a specific area. Each beam is called a radiotherapy field; the point at which all beams meet is where the highest dose of radiotherapy is given.

Radiotherapy is painless and is similar to having an x-ray taken. The machines used are particularly powerful and produce special rays that penetrate deep within the body. The rays are able to destroy abnormal tumour cells and prevent them reforming. Radiotherapy stops the growth of cells by interfering with their normal function. Tumour cells are usually sensitive to radiotherapy treatment, whereas normal cells are relatively insensitive and are able to repair and heal. Radiotherapy will not make the child radioactive and it is quite safe for him or her to be with others, including children, during the course of treatment. Radiotherapy is used alone, or with chemotherapy and / or surgery.

Planning your child's radiotherapy treatment

Children get their radiotherapy treatment at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre Radiation Therapy Services (Peter Mac). Radiotherapy is usually given each day, over 4 - 6 weeks. If radiotherapy is part of the treatment plan, the radiotherapy healthcare team at Peter Mac will arrange appointments and provide information about the treatment, possible side effects and how to manage them.

What does radiotherapy treatment involve?

The radiotherapy treatment requires the child to lie completely still. The specialist staff will help explain what is involved in the planning and treatment and will support the child throughout. To ensure the child remains completely still, a mask or shell will be made individually for each child. If radiotherapy is to be delivered to the spine, small permanent dots may be made on the skin to provide an exact reference mark to set up and deliver treatment. 

Side effects of radiotherapy

Radiotherapy is a very effective treatment for cancer but it can damage some healthy cells close to the area being treated. This can cause short term and long term side effects. The side effects will depend on how much radiation is used and the part of the body that is being treated. Not all children will have all of the possible side effects and the effects will vary in intensity.