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Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy, or radiotherapy, is the use of radiation to treat and manage cancer.

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Knowing what to expect during and after treatment can help you prepare and reduce any anxiety that you may be feeling. The following information has been put together to help you understand your radiation therapy treatment, and we hope to reduce any concerns you have. For advice specific to your needs and treatment plan, please speak to your treating doctor.

We are here to answer your questions, and to help you feel prepared for your treatment. You can send us a message if you would like more information about being treated at Icon or would like to find out how to become a patient.

What is radiation therapy?

Radiation therapy, or radiotherapy, is the use of radiation to safely treat and manage cancer. Radiation oncologists use radiation to eradicate cancer cells, reduce their growth or relieve symptoms of cancer. Radiation therapy treats cancer by damaging cancer cells while limiting the impact to healthy cells. It works because cancer cells are more sensitive to radiation than healthy, normal cells. When a small dose of radiation is given each day over several weeks, normal cells can recover from the radiation, but cancer cells cannot. It is typically a painless treatment, similar to having an x-ray, and is only delivered to the part of the body being treated.

How is radiation therapy delivered?

Icon uses the most cutting-edge radiation therapy techniques and technology to deliver pinpoint accurate radiation to the tumour. Our technology and expertise allows us to accurately treat all cancer types of various size, type and location.

Radiation therapy treatment can be delivered on its own, or in combination with other forms of treatment, such as chemotherapy, hormones and surgery. It is commonly undertaken as an outpatient service.

Treatment is usually given in daily intervals (Monday to Friday) over several weeks, allowing enough radiation to target cancer cells while providing healthy cells enough time to recuperate. A single course of radiation therapy is unique to each person and their condition. This includes the site and stage of the disease, type of disease, a person’s age and general health.

Radiation does not make you radioactive, and it is safe for patients undergoing treatment to be around other people, including children.

Depending on the location of your cancer, you may also need an immobilisation device such as a mask to ensure you stay as still as possible throughout treatment.

Learn more about immobilisation masks and how they are made ahead of your radiation therapy treatment.

Side effects of radiation therapy

People who receive radiation therapy may experience skin dryness, itching, blistering, or peeling. These usually resolve a few weeks after treatment has finished. Another common side effect is fatigue, a feeling of exhaustion that does not improve with rest. Your level of fatigue may depend on whether you are undergoing other treatments, such as chemotherapy. Although most side effects go away after radiation therapy has finished, some long-term effects may occur.

As radiation therapy is localised to an area of the body, you may only experience side effects in this area. Your radiation oncologist and treatment team will discuss the type of side effects you may experience, however it is important to let your treating team know if any effects you notice or that are making you uncomfortable. Most side effects are temporary and can be treated or managed. At Icon, we are always here to help our patients find ways to manage any side effects that you experience.

Learn more about radiation therapy side effects.

Treatment techniquesTreatment techniques

Adaptive therapy

Adaptive radiation therapy uses advanced technology to adjust daily treatment in real-time based on changes to internal or external anatomy

Brachytherapy

Brachytherapy is a special form of internal radiation therapy where a radioactive source is placed beside or inside the tumour, to deliver radiation to small areas over a period of time.

Calypso

Calypso involves using radiofrequency transponders which are surgically placed in tumours to track and adjust radiation treatment beams due to natural movements of the body, such as breathing.

Deep Inspiration Breath Hold (DIBH)

Deep Inspiration Breath Hold (DIBH) is a technique for left-sided breast cancer patients that reduces the potential impact of radiation on the heart.

External beam radiation therapy (EBRT)

External beam radiation therapy (EBRT) is a type of radiation therapy that uses one or more beams to deliver high energy x-rays to a cancerous tumour.

Hydrogel

SpaceOAR Hydrogel is a gel-like substance that is implanted between the prostate and rectum to reduce side effects during radiation therapy treatment.

HyperArc

HyperArc accurately targets multiple tumours while ensuring limited doses of radiation to surrounding healthy brain tissue.

Image guided radiation therapy (IGRT)

Image guided radiation therapy (IGRT) is a radiation therapy technique that utilises the most advanced imaging equipment and computer software.

Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)

Intensity modulated radiation therapy [IMRT] is high precision radiation therapy that delivers high dose radiation to cancerous tumours, while limiting impact on healthy surrounding tissue.

Stereotactic radiation therapy

Stereotactic technology is an advanced technique used to treat small tumours with well-defined edges in the brain, spine or lung, including tumours that have spread from a primary cancer.

Superficial radiation therapy

Superficial radiation therapy is a non-invasive treatment for early non-melanoma skin cancer that can be an effective alternative to surgery.

Surface Guided Radiation Therapy (SGRT)

Surface Guided Radiation Therapy is a tattoo-free radiation therapy alternative that uses advanced camera technology to facilitate 3D tracking of the skin’s surface during set-up and treatment.

Triggered imaging

Triggered imaging is a technique unique to the TrueBeam linear accelerator (radiation therapy machine) and enables visual verification that a tumour is being accurately and precisely targeted. It is specifically used for prostate cancers.

Volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT)

Volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) involves the use of external radiation therapy beams being directed in a series of arcs or angles to allow for greater access to a cancerous tumour.

Frequently asked questionsFAQs

Does radiation therapy make you radioactive?

External beam radiation therapy does not make you radioactive, and it is perfectly safe for you to be with and around other people, including children, throughout your treatment.

Will I lose my hair?

Radiation therapy is a local treatment, meaning it only affects the area of the body where the radiation is targeted. Unless your radiation treatment is targeted at an area where hair grows, such as your scalp or face, you will not lose your hair. People having radiation therapy for breast cancer may find their underarm hair will fall out if it is near the radiated area, however it will grow back in time.

Can I drive after treatment?

Yes, it is safe for you to drive after you receive radiation therapy treatment. However, if you feel unfit or unwell to do so, it’s important to advise your treatment team immediately.

Will radiation therapy affect my fertility?

This depends on where you are having treatment. If you are a woman having radiation therapy to the abdomen or pelvis, the amount of radiation absorbed by the ovaries will determine the potential impact on your fertility. Radiation to the pituitary gland may also influence fertility, as the pituitary gland normally signals the ovaries to ovulate. Radiation to both testes in men is rare, however if you require this therapy your fertility may be affected. Please speak with your radiation oncologist should you or your partner wish to become pregnant, or if you have fertility concerns.

Does radiation affect pregnancy?

It is important you are not pregnant or become pregnant at any time during radiation therapy, as x-rays for positioning can harm the foetus. If you think you may be pregnant at any time, it is extremely important to discuss this with a member of the radiation therapy team. If you wish to become pregnant after your treatment please discuss this with your radiation oncologist prior to commencing.

Can I father children during radiation therapy?

For men having radiation therapy to their pelvic region, it is advised that you do not father children during treatment. Radiation therapy may damage your sperm, which can lead to birth abnormalities. If you wish to father children after this treatment, please discuss this with your radiation oncologist prior to commencing.

What are the side effects of radiation therapy?

People who receive radiation therapy may experience skin dryness, itching, blistering, or peeling. These usually resolve a few weeks after treatment has finished. A common side effect is fatigue, a feeling of exhaustion that does not improve with rest. Your level of fatigue may depend on whether you are undergoing other treatments, such as chemotherapy. Although most side effects go away after radiation therapy has finished, some long-term effects may occur.

As radiation therapy is localised to an area of the body, you may only experience side effects in this area. Your radiation oncologist and treatment team will discuss the type of side effects you may experience, however it is important to advise of any effects you notice.

Will I feel nauseated?

If you have radiation therapy to your abdominal region, you may get an upset stomach and feel nauseated. This will usually resolve when your course of treatment is completed. If you notice you are feeling nauseated for a prolonged period of time, please inform our team so we can suggest ways to manage this.

How long does radiation therapy treatment take?

Radiation therapy is scheduled over an extended period of time, usually from weeks to months, enabling sessions to be as short as possible and for healthy cells to recover. A treatment session may only last 15 to 20 minutes.

For more informationFor more information

Become a patient

Find out how to become an Icon patient, or send us a message to request more information about your local centre and doctors.

Wearing an immobilisation mask

Understand what immobilisation masks are and how are they made ahead of your radiation therapy treatment.

Targeting Cancer

Radiation Oncology Targeting Cancer is run by the Faculty of Radiation Oncology, The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists, and offers high quality information about radiation therapy for patients to help guide their treatment decisions.

Understanding Radiation Therapy

Cancer Council Australia has prepared a useful e-publication to help you understand more about radiation therapy, one of the main treatments for cancer.

Become a patient

Find out how to become an Icon patient, or request more information about your local centre.

Starting radiation therapy

Knowing what to expect can help you prepare for your first radiation therapy visit.

Frequently asked questions

Learn answers to some common concerns and misconceptions about radiation therapy.

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