Our cutting edge equipment means we are able to offer some of the most advanced forms of radiotherapy treatments.
Why do I need radiotherapy?
You might have radiotherapy to try to cure your cancer. This is called radical treatment.
Some people have it to relieve symptoms and make them feel better. This is called palliative treatment.
If you are going to have a bone marrow or stem cell transplant (e.g. for leukaemia) you may have radiotherapy in preparation for this procedure.
You may have radiotherapy on its own or with another treatment such as surgery, chemotherapy or hormone therapy. This is called adjuvant radiotherapy and is given to reduce the risk of the cancer coming back.
Everyone is different. Even patients with the same cancers may have different treatments. You will have a treatment plan tailored to your exact needs and your oncologist will talk you through this.
How does radiotherapy work?
Radiotherapy damages cancer cells in the part of the body being treated. Normal cells can also be damaged by the radiotherapy, but they repair themselves more easily than cancer cells.
It can be given from inside or outside the body.
Radiotherapy from outside the body is called external beam radiotherapy, this is the most common type of radiotherapy .
How is radiotherapy delivered?
There are two main types of radiotherapy which use different methods to introduced radiotherapy to the body:
- External radiotherapy – where the radiation comes from a machine outside the body
- Internal radiotherapy – where the radiation comes from implants or liquids placed inside the body.
External radiotherapy is delivered using a machine called a linear accelerator. This is a treatment machine that directs high energy x-rays at exactly the place where your doctor wants the treatment to be delivered. Radiotherapy is carefully planned so that it damages as few normal cells as possible.
Your appointments
When you attend for your CT or MRI planning scan you will be given your first treatment appointment time.
At your first treatment appointment the radiographers will give you a list of appointments. These times may need to change at short notice so it’s important we have your correct telephone number.
It is very important that you do not miss any of your treatments.
If you are unable to attend any of your appointments, please let us know: 0191 213 8777
Please inform the scheduling office if you have a heart pacemaker.
Where to find us
The radiotherapy department is located on Level 1 of the Northern Centre for Cancer Care at Freeman Hospital.
- Come through the main entrance for the Northern Centre for Cancer Care and take the lift or stairs on your right hand side down to Level 1
- When you come out of the lift turn to your right and right again and walk straight ahead to the first reception desk
Watch our video about coming for radiotherapy at the Northern Centre for Cancer Care for more information about how to get here and what to expect when you come for your appointment.
Contact
Radiotherapy scheduling
For patient scheduling enquiries or urgent patient issues.
Patient information
For further information about your treatment or side effects, visit the Northern Radiotherapy Network website.
