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Radiation therapy

Understanding radiation therapy (radiotherapy), side effects, treatment costs and FAQs.

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What is radiation therapy?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.

Radiation therapy is typically a painless treatment, similar to having an x-ray, and is only delivered to the part of the body being treated.

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What are the side effects of radiation therapy?What are the side effects of radiation therapy?

In this video, Rachael and Paul walk you through their experience starting radiation therapy treatment including some side effects they experienced (side effects at 4min 38 sec).

Radiation therapy treatment is unique to each person and can affect the body in different ways. The most common side effect is fatigue, a feeling of exhaustion or lack of energy. Some people may also experience bowel or bladder irritation as they progress through treatment.

As radiation is targeted to a specific area of the body, other side effects are often contained to the area being treated. Site-specific effects may include skin irritation (redness, dryness, itching, peeling or blistering), pain, swelling and hair loss in the area being treated.

The below table provides examples of other side effects some people may experience, depending on the area being treated.

Radiation Therapy (Radiotherapy) Side EffectTreatment Site
Nausea and vomitingAbdomen
Difficulty swallowingThroat or oesophagus
Loss of taste, dry mouth, oral thrush, mouth ulcersHead and neck
Female fertilityAbdomen, pelvis or pituitary gland
Male fertilityPelvis or testes
Erectile functionPelvis

How long do side effects last?How long do side effects last?

Although most radiation therapy side effects are temporary and resolve after treatment has finished, there is a possibility that long-term effects may occur. Your radiation oncologist and treatment team will discuss the type of side effects you may experience before your treatment begins.

Once you have commenced treatment, it is important to let your treating team know of any effects you notice or that are making you uncomfortable. At Icon Cancer Centre, the comfort of our patients is a priority; we are always there to help find ways to manage any side effects experienced.

How much does radiation therapy cost?

How much does private radiation therapy treatment cost in Australia?

As your radiation therapy treatment is unique to you and your clinical circumstances, a consultation is usually required to give a single and accurate answer to this question.

Radiation oncology is funded by Medicare with up to 90% of the fee covered by Medicare including from the Medicare Safety Nets. This means out of pocket cost may be as little as 10% of the total cost to receive radiation therapy at a private centre such as Icon Cancer Centre, depending on your circumstances.

Importantly, regardless of whether you choose to receive public or private treatment, no private health insurance is required for valid Medicare card holders to receive radiation therapy in Australia.

For more information about the cost of radiation therapy treatment at Icon, reach out to our team at your nearest Icon Cancer Centre.

How much does radiation therapy cost?

As your radiation therapy treatment is unique to you and your clinical circumstances, a consultation is usually required to give a single and accurate answer to this question.

Radiation oncology is funded by Medicare with up to 90% of the fee covered by Medicare including from the Medicare Safety Nets. This means out of pocket cost may be as little as 10% of the total cost to receive radiation therapy at a private centre such as Icon Cancer Centre, depending on your circumstances.

Importantly, regardless of whether you choose to receive public or private treatment, no private health insurance is required for valid Medicare card holders to receive radiation therapy in Australia.

For more information about the cost of radiation therapy treatment at Icon, reach out to our team at your nearest Icon Cancer Centre.

How much does private radiation therapy treatment cost in Australia?

How is radiation therapy delivered?How is radiation therapy delivered?

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—these are medical services that do not require hospital admission.

At Icon, we use 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.

How long does radiation treatment take?How long does radiation treatment take?

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 radiation therapy treatment session may only last 15 to 20 minutes.

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.

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Common radiation therapy techniquesCommon radiation therapy 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?

You do not need to stay away from other people after external beam radiation therapy as it does not make you radioactive. 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 radiation therapy 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.

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.

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