Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy involves the treatment of cancer with radiation. The radiation used is similar to that used to take an X-ray picture but is more penetrating. Radiation is directed to the specific area of the body where the cancer is, with the aim of destroying cancer cells whilst avoiding the healthy cells. As with all treatments, radiotherapy can cause side effects and these are discussed with the patient before a course of treatment begins.
In our cancer unit, the majority of consultants use a daily treatment regime. This requires the patient to attend for radiotherapy daily Monday to Friday for several weeks. Each treatment is relatively short, lasting on average fifteen minutes.
Treatment is completely painless. Radiotherapy does not make you radioactive and you will be able to mix freely with family and friends. Your treatment team of therapy radiographers will be able to discuss any areas of concern.
The Harley Street Clinic has recently upgraded its radiotherapy services with two new state-of-the art linear accelerators to allow Image Guided Radiotherapy, including Respiratory Gating, Cone beam CT, Kv Imaging and RapidArc. One linear accelerator also has stereotactic capability which complements our other radiosurgical equipment, Gamma Knife® and CyberKnife®.
An additional treatment unit is available for the treatment of superficial skin cancers
A dedicated CT Scanner is available for the planning preparation for radiotherapy treatments giving patients a speedy and uninterrupted pathway to beginning therapy.
The radiotherapy service is supported by a team of expert medical physicists and dosimetrists.
Other cancer treatments involving radiation provided at The Harley Street Clinic include Gamma Knife treatment for lesions within the skull and CyberKnife which can treat tumours that were previously very difficult and sometimes dangerous to treat.