Radiotherapy Treatment Areas

Radiotherapy can be used to treat cancer in almost any part of the body. The specific treatment approach and side effects vary depending on the location being treated. This page provides information about radiotherapy for different body areas.

Treatment Information

Each body area requires specific approaches to radiotherapy treatment. Your treatment plan will be tailored to your individual needs, considering factors such as:

  • The type and stage of cancer

  • The location and size of the tumor

  • Your overall health

  • Whether you're receiving other cancer treatments

Click on any treatment area below to learn more about specific radiotherapy approaches, side effects, and management techniques. Each page includes detailed information about what to expect before, during, and after treatment.

Brain

Radiotherapy for brain tumors and metastases

Common conditions:

  • Primary brain tumors

  • Brain metastases

  • Meningiomas

Common Side Effects:

  • Fatigue

  • Hair loss in the treatment area

  • Headaches

  • Nausea

Head and Neck

Radiotherapy for cancers of the mouth, throat, voice box, and nearby areas

Common conditions:

  • Oral cavity cancer

  • Throat cancer

  • Laryngeal cancer

  • Nasopharyngeal cancer

Common side effects:

  • Difficulty swallowing

  • Dry mouth

  • Skin changes

  • Voice changes

Breast

Radiotherapy for breast cancer after surgery

Common conditions:

  • Early breast cancer

  • Locally advanced breast cancer

  • Post-mastectomy treatment

Common side effects:

  • Skin redness and irritation

  • Breast swelling

  • Fatigue

  • Breast firmness or shrinkage

Lung

Radiotherapy for lung cancer and chest metastases

Common conditions:

  • Non-small cell lung cancer

  • Small cell lung cancer

  • Chest metastases

Common side effects:

  • Fatigue

  • Chest pain or discomfort

  • Difficulty swallowing

  • Cough

Abdomen

Radiotherapy for abdominal cancers including liver, pancreas, and stomach

Common conditions

  • Pancreatic cancer

  • Liver cancer

  • Stomach cancer

  • Bile duct cancer

Common side effects

  • Nausea and vomiting

  • Loss of appetite

  • Fatigue

  • Diarrhea

Pelvis

Radiotherapy for prostate, bladder, cervical, and other pelvic cancers

Common conditions:

  • Prostate cancer

  • Bladder cancer

  • Cervical cancer

  • Rectal cancer

Common side effects:

  • Bladder irritation

  • Diarrhea

  • Fatigue

  • Changes in sexual function

Managing Side Effects

While radiotherapy is an effective treatment for many cancers, it can cause side effects as it affects both cancer cells and normal cells in the treatment area. Most side effects are temporary and can be managed with appropriate care and medication.

General Self-Care Tips

  • Get plenty of rest and sleep

  • Eat a balanced diet with plenty of fluids

  • Avoid irritating the skin in the treatment area

  • Use only recommended skin care products

  • Report any new or worsening symptoms promptly

When to Seek Help

  • While many side effects are expected, contact your healthcare team if you experience:

  • Temperature over 38°C (100.4°F)

  • Uncontrolled pain

  • Severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea

  • Signs of infection in the treatment area

  • Breathing difficulties or chest pain

Was this page helpful?

Was this page helpful?
Rating

Please answer the question below, this helps us to reduce the number of spam emails that we receive so that we can spend more time responding to genuine enquiries and feedback. Thank you.

*
Recruitment - Page Footer Image