How do you plan radiotherapy?

Planning means working out the dose of radiotherapy you need and exactly where you need it while reducing the dose to the surrounding tissue. Your planning appointment takes from 15 minutes to 2 hours. You usually have a planning CT scan in the radiotherapy department. The scan shows the cancer and the area around it.

How many sessions are needed for radiotherapy?

Most people have 5 treatments each week (1 treatment a day from Monday to Friday, with a break at the weekend). But sometimes treatment may be given more than once a day or over the weekend.

What are the three goals of radiation therapy?

The main goals of radiation therapy are to shrink tumors and kill cancer cells. While the therapy also will likely injure healthy cells, the damage isn’t permanent. Your normal, noncancerous cells have the ability to recover from radiation therapy.

How long does a radiotherapy session take?

A CT scanner takes x-ray images which help your team plan the exact area to be treated. The planning session will take between about 15 minutes and an hour. You’ll need to lie very still while your arms are positioned above your head and supported in an arm rest.

Is radiotherapy worse than chemo?

Radiation therapy involves giving high doses of radiation beams directly into a tumor. The radiation beams change the DNA makeup of the tumor, causing it to shrink or die. This type of cancer treatment has fewer side effects than chemotherapy since it only targets one area of the body.

Can you wear a bra during radiation?

Opt for soft bras with wide straps: if you are undergoing upper body radiation, you may find your bras to be uncomfortable during radiation. Bras with wide straps and no underwire won’t dig into or rub against your skin and breathable fabrics will allow for optimal comfort.

What can you not do during radiation treatment?

What Foods Should I Avoid During Radiation? Foods to avoid or reduce during radiation therapy include sodium (salt), added sugars, solid (saturated) fats, and an excess of alcohol. Some salt is needed in all diets. Your doctor or dietitian can recommend how much salt you should consume based on your medical history.

How long does it take to plan external radiotherapy?

The radiotherapy team plans your external beam radiotherapy before you start treatment. This means working out the dose of radiotherapy you need and exactly where you need it. Your planning appointment takes from 15 minutes to 2 hours. You usually have a planning CT scan in the radiotherapy department.

How is treatment planning done for radiation therapy?

Treatment planning usually involves positioning your body, making marks on your skin and taking imaging scans. Your radiation therapy team determines whether you’ll lie on your back, stomach or side during treatment. It’s crucial to find a position that optimizes your treatment, but is comfortable enough to hold for 15 to 45 minutes.

Can a computer create a radiotherapy plan?

A radiotherapy planning computer can create a 3D picture of the cancer from CT scans and sometimes other types of scan. This picture shows a 3D computer image. This is what you can see:

Why do you need a 3D radiotherapy plan?

Looking at a 3D picture can be very useful when planning treatment, as it can be rotated and looked at from different angles. It helps your radiotherapy doctor (clinical oncologist) work out the best way to arrange the radiotherapy beams to cover the whole cancer and miss the major organs.