Radiotherapy is a medical treatment that uses high-energy radiation, most commonly x-rays, to target and destroy cancer cells. It’s one of the most effective and commonly used approaches for managing cancer.
The radiation damages the DNA inside cancer cells, preventing them from growing and spreading.
Radiotherapy treatment is highly targeted at the site of the tumour, meaning healthy tissues around it are protected from damage.
Types of radiotherapy:
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External beam radiotherapy: Radiation is delivered from outside the body using specialised equipment.
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Proton beam therapy: Uses high- or low-energy proton beams to target cancer directly, stopping at the tumour and sparing surrounding tissue.
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Internal radiotherapy (brachytherapy): Radioactive material is placed inside the body close to the tumour.
For most people, radiotherapy is a painless procedure, and it is usually possible to maintain normal daily activities between rounds of treatment.
Radiotherapy at UCLH Private Healthcare
At UCLH Private Healthcare, we provide radiotherapy treatment to our paediatric and teenage cancer patients, as well as patients requiring brachytherapy for gynaecological cancers including cervical cancer, cancer of the womb or uterus, or vaginal cancer.
Radiotherapy for children and teenagers
Radiotherapy can be used to treat children with cancer, but the process is carefully adapted to suit their developmental needs. Paediatric radiotherapy offers safe, effective care for young patients.
As young people can be more sensitive to radiation, doses are carefully calculated, and extra care is taken to minimise any long-term effects on the child.
Radiotherapy takes place in an age-appropriate environment to make the process as comfortable as possible.
Our young patients may be offered external beam radiotherapy, or, in some circumstances, they may be offered proton beam therapy, which is delivered by UCLH Private Healthcare’s partner organisation, Proton International. Please contact Proton International directly via their website to enquire about this treatment.
Gynaecological radiotherapy: brachytherapy
Gynaecological brachytherapy is an internal form of radiotherapy used to treat cancers in the female reproductive system, such as cervical or uterine cancer.
A small applicator containing radioactive material is placed inside or near the tumour which allows a high dose of radiotherapy to target cancer cells precisely.
The procedure is carried out in hospital, usually as an outpatient but occasionally an in patient, depending on the type of brachytherapy. Patients are supported by a specialist radiotherapy team throughout treatment.
Benefits of brachytherapy radiotherapy:
There are several benefits to having brachytherapy. These include:
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Healthy tissues receive less exposure to radiation.
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Treatment is often completed in fewer sessions than external radiotherapy.