Advanced Oncology & Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy
A non-invasive treatment using precise radiation beams to target cancer cells. Modern techniques like IMRT and SBRT focus energy on the tumour, protecting healthy tissue and preserving organ function with high success rates.
Key takeaways
- A non-invasive treatment using precise radiation beams to target cancer cells. Modern techniques like IMRT and SBRT focus energy on the tumour, protecting healthy tissue and preserving organ function with high success rates.
- Specialty: Advanced Oncology & Radiotherapy
10–20
Typical session lengthmin
Non-invasive
No incisions or needles (EBRT)
Outpatient
No hospital stay
Treatment Overview
About Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy is a highly effective treatment that uses controlled, high-energy beams to damage the DNA of cancer cells. Once the DNA is damaged, the cancer cells can no longer grow or divide, causing the tumour to shrink.
We use two primary methods:
External Beam Radiotherapy (EBRT): A large machine (called a LINAC) moves around you without touching you, aiming beams at the cancer from different angles.
Brachytherapy: Radioactive pellets are placed inside your prostate under ultrasound guidance typically under a short general anaesthetic as a day case procedure.
Modern techniques like IMRT (Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy) allow our specialists to "shape" the radiation beams to perfectly match the 3D outline of your tumour. This means we can deliver a higher, more effective dose to the cancer while keeping the surrounding healthy organs safe.
Safety Information
Benefits, Risks & Side Effects
01
Benefits
Radiotherapy is a powerful alternative to surgery. For many types of cancer (such as prostate or vocal cord cancer), it can destroy the tumour while allowing you to keep the organ and its natural function.
Non-Invasive: There are no incisions, no needles (for EBRT), and no recovery time in a hospital bed.
Tumour destruction: The cancer cells undergo DNA damage and hence death of these cells.
02
Risks
Radiotherapy is a safe and strictly regulated treatment in the UK. The main risk is that healthy cells near the tumour can sometimes be affected, leading to "radiation toxicity."
In the long term, some patients may experience "fibrosis," which is a slight hardening or scarring of the tissue in the treated area. While very rare, there is a tiny risk of a second cancer developing many years later due to radiation exposure. Your oncology team will carefully calculate your dose to ensure the benefits of treating your current cancer far outweigh these risks.
03
Side Effects
Side effects depend entirely on which part of your body is being treated, but most patients experience:
Radiotherapy Fatigue: A deep feeling of tiredness that can build up over several weeks.
Skin Changes: The skin in the treatment area may become red, sore, or itchy, similar to a mild sunburn.
If you are having treatment in the pelvic area, you may notice changes in your bowel habits or need to pee more often. For head and neck treatments, a dry mouth or sore throat is common. Most of these effects start to improve about 2 to 4 weeks after your final session.
Patient Journey
What to Expect
A step-by-step guide through your Radiotherapy journey—from preparation and what happens during the procedure to recovery and aftercare.
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Before Procedure
Your journey begins with a "Planning Session" or CT Simulation:
Positioning: You will lie on a scan table in the exact position you will be in for your treatment.
Markings: Our radiographers may put tiny, permanent tattoo dots on your skin to help align the machine perfectly every day.
Masks: For head or neck treatments, a custom-made plastic mesh mask is created to keep you perfectly still.
AI Planning: Over the next few days, our specialists use advanced software to calculate the best angles and doses for your specific plan.
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During Procedure
The treatment is painless—you won't feel a thing while the machine is on.
You will lie on the treatment couch while the LINAC rotates around you.
The session usually takes between 10 and 20 minutes, though the actual radiation is only delivered for a few minutes of that time.
The machine makes a buzzing or clicking sound, but it never touches you.
Your radiographers will be in the next room watching you on CCTV and can talk to you through an intercom at any time.
03/ 03
After Procedure
You will have weekly reviews with your oncology nurse or doctor to check on your skin and energy levels.
Skin Care: You’ll be advised to use specific, non-scented creams to keep the treated area hydrated.
Follow-up: Because radiation continues to work on the cancer cells for weeks or even months after your last session, you won't have a follow-up scan (like a CT or MRI) for at least 3 to 6 months. This gives the body time to heal and the tumour time to shrink fully.
Our Commitment
Care you can trust
Every treatment is delivered to the same standard: senior consultants, a personalised plan, and the safety of an accredited private hospital behind you.
Consultant-Led Excellence
Receive evidence-based treatments delivered by senior NHS consultants in a professional, specialist setting.
Personalised Care Plans
Your consultant will design a bespoke treatment plan tailored to your specific health goals and lifestyle.
Hospital-Grade Safety
We operate within leading private hospitals, adhering to strict CQC safety and technology standards.
A Heritage of Trust
Our partners bring decades of NHS and private experience, successfully managing thousands of patient cases.
Patient Guidance
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this treatment and what to expect.
3 questions
External Beam Radiotherapy (EBRT) does NOT make you radioactive. Once the machine is turned off, the radiation is gone. You are perfectly safe to be around children and pregnant women. Only 'Permanent Brachytherapy' (like prostate seeds) involves low-level internal radiation that requires minor precautions for a few months.
Reviewed 2 Mar 2026
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Radiotherapy only causes hair loss in the specific area being treated. For example, if you are having treatment for a prostate or breast tumour, the hair on your head will not fall out. If you are having treatment to the head, hair loss in that specific area is common and may be permanent depending on the dose.
Reviewed 2 Mar 2026
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This is called 'Fractionation.' By giving small doses daily, we allow your healthy cells a chance to repair themselves overnight, while the cancer cells (which are bad at repairing) gradually die off. However, in 2026, many treatments are becoming 'hypofractionated,' meaning fewer sessions with slightly higher doses per day.
Reviewed 2 Mar 2026
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