Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy for brain tumours

Understanding the radiotherapy process and its impact on brain tumour cells

Radiotherapy is a treatment that uses controlled radiation to destroy the tumour cells while minimising damage to healthy cells. Radiotherapy may be used on its own, or in conjunction with other treatments.

Types of radiotherapy

1.  External beam radiotherapy

External beam radiotherapy is a standard treatment received in a specified number of short daily treatments where a machine directs beams of radiation at the cancer.

2. Stereotactic radiotherapy

Stereotactic radiotherapy is a newer method of delivering radiation which allows for better targeting of the tumour, thereby minimising damage to surrounding brain tissue.

3.  Proton beam therapy

Proton beam therapy is another type of external beam therapy, which uses protons; it relies upon the use of specialist equipment which is not widely available in UK hospitals

Where is radiotherapy administered?

You usually have radiotherapy in a hospital that has a major cancer treatment centre. Appointments are usually assigned in Monday to Friday blocks, for two to six weeks, depending on the type of tumour and its size. The treatment is not painful, but the machine may be noisy.

During external radiotherapy, you lie on a table and a machine directs beams of radiation at the cancer. The machine is operated from outside the room, but you’ll be watched through a window or a camera. You will be alone in the treatment room but can communicate with the radiography team by using microphones and speakers. You need to keep as still as possible throughout the treatment. It usually only takes a few minutes and is completely painless. You can usually go home soon after it has finished.

Radiotherapy masks are specialist items of headwear that are worn during radiotherapy, to ensure that the head remains in the required position so that the treatment is as accurate as possible. They are moulded from plastic and made to fit the patient’s face. The masks are close-fitting but are painless and made of materials that you can breathe through easily.

The treatment team will talk through the mask fitting and radiotherapy treatment, to alleviate any fears that patients may have.

Side effects and late effects

Patients may experience side effects during or after radiotherapy treatment. The treatment team will discuss these and explain how to manage them. They can include fatigue, nausea, headaches, skin irritation and temporary hair loss.

There is also a risk that the side effects

• Do not get better after treatment. These are called long-term side effects
• That only starts months or years later. These are called late effects.

This risk may be higher if you are also having other treatments, such as chemotherapy.

Before you decide to have treatment, your oncology team will explain your risk of developing these side effects so that you can understand and think about the long-term risks.

Find out more

NHS | What happens during radiotherapy