Radiation Therapy Recovery: Regain Strength and Function

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What is radiotherapy & how does it work?

radiotherapy injections, capsules or drinks (radioisotope therapy), where you swallow a radioactive liquid, or have it injected into your blood intrabeam radiotherapy, where radiation is delivered directly at the tumour during breast cancer surgery (this treatment is not available at all NHS hospitals) Radiotherapy is usually given in hospital.

Can radiotherapy be given after surgery?

For some types of cancer, radiotherapy can be given after surgery. This lowers the risk of the cancer coming back. This is called adjuvant radiotherapy. Sometimes radiotherapy is given before surgery to shrink a cancer and make it easier to remove. This is sometimes called neo-adjuvant radiotherapy.

How does radiotherapy treat cancer?

Radiotherapy uses high-energy rays called radiation to treat cancer. It destroys cancer cells in the area where the radiotherapy is given. Some normal cells in the area being treated can also be damaged by radiotherapy. This can cause side effects. These normal cells are usually able to repair themselves, but cancer cells cannot.

Why is radiotherapy important?

Radiotherapy is always carefully planned by a team of experts. Radiotherapy treatment is continuing to become even more accurate. This allows your team to treat the cancer more effectively, while doing as little harm as possible to normal cells. This booklet is about radiotherapy.

What is radiotherapy after surgery?

Radiotherapy after surgery aims to kill any cancer cells that remain in the area after the operation. This is to try to lower the risk of the cancer coming back. It is called adjuvant treatment or post operative radiotherapy. Chemotherapy can be given before, during or after a course of radiotherapy.

How long does it take to recover from radiotherapy?

Remember everyone is diferent and recovery from treatment and its side efects will vary from person to person. a few weeks’ time (this allows time for any side efects from your radiotherapy treatment to settle down). This is your opportunity to ask questions or discuss any worries or concerns you may have.

What happens when my radiotherapy treatment ends?

When your radiotherapy treatment ends your treatment team will give you advice and information about your recovery and how to cope with any side effects. They will also give you a number to call in case you have questions or worries. You might have regular follow up appointments at the radiotherapy department or at your original hospital.

What Is Radiation Therapy Recovery

1. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/radiotherapy/
2. https://www.royalmarsden.nhs.uk/your-care/treatments/radiotherapy/after-radiotherapy-has-finished
3. https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/treatment/radiotherapy/follow-up-after-treatment
4. https://www.cancer.net/navigating-cancer-care/how-cancer-treated/radiation-therapy/what-expect-when-having-radiation-therapy
5. https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/treatment/types-of-treatment/radiotherapy
6. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/radiation-therapy/about/pac-20385162
7. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/types/radiation-therapy
8. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/radiation.html

Radiation Therapy Recovery Information

1. https://www.uhcw.nhs.uk/download/clientfiles/files/Patient%20Information%20Leaflets/Medicine/Oncology/Radiotherapy%20General%20Information%20for%20Patients%20Receiving%20Treatment.pdf
2. https://www.uhs.nhs.uk/Media/UHS-website-2019/Patientinformation/Cancercare/At-the-end-of-your-radiotherapy-treatment-1317-PIL.pdf
3. https://www.bir.org.uk/useful-information/radiotherapy.aspx