Coming in for Radiotherapy
Date issued: December 2024
For review: December 2026
Ref: A-670/HA/Learning Disability Team/Coming in for Radiotherapy
PDF: Coming in for Radiotherapy.pdf [pdf] 407KB
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You will get a letter or a phone call with your appointment date.
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At your first appointment a special mask will be made for you. This will take about 2 hours.
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You may have a scan taken with you wearing your mask.
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Before your treatment starts a radiographer will explain how the treatment will work.
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You will get a date for your next appointment.
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Your Radiotherapy will take about 40 minutes, some might take a bit longer.
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When you arrive, you will lie on a bed and the radiographer will put your mask on.
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They may take some scan pictures to make sure it is in the right place.
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The camera that takes the pictures will move around you but you must lie still on the bed.
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The Radiographer will tell you when they are finished.
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You can bring someone with you to your appointment for support. They will not be able to stay in the room while you are having treatment.
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You will need someone to take you home after your appointment as you may feel tired.
What side effects might I experience?
The treatment is not painful but can cause other symptoms:
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Headache
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Dizziness
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Temporary hair loss
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A sore and red scalp
It is important that you wear a sunhat when outside during the first year after your treatment.
For patients with a cancer diagnosis there is support available near to you.
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The Mustard Tree, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, 01752 430060
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The Cove Macmillan Support Centre, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Treliske, Truro, 01872 256363
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The Lodge Cancer Support and Information Centre, Torbay Hospital, 01803 656490
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FORCE Cancer Support & Information Centre, Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, 01392 406151, email: support@forcecancercharity.co.uk
Contact Details
Normal working hours (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm)
Tony Shute (Neuro Specialist Nurse) 01752 431521
Neuro Specialist Nurse Team 01752 431310
Appointments office 01752 431870
Ann-Marie Maddock (Admin Assistant) 01752 439272
Out of Hours (weekends and evening):
Brent Ward
01752 430042
Acute Oncology Service Team
01752 202082 (ask for bleep 0023)
