Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy is a way of treating cancers using X-rays or other types of radiation. It is also known as radiotherapy.
Radiation therapy for pancreatic cancer is often given in combination with chemotherapy.
What you need to know
Radiation therapy for pancreatic cancer
Radiation therapy can be given as part of the treatment for pancreatic cancer. It is used at different times and for different reasons. It is often given in combination with chemotherapy.
Most radiation therapy for pancreatic cancer is external beam radiation therapy (EBRT).
External beam radiation therapy (EBRT)
External beam radiation therapy (EBRT) uses beams of X-rays or other radiation to treat cancer from outside the body. The beams are produced by a large machine called a linear accelerator.
There are several different types of EBRT. Most involve having treatment 5 days a week for a number of weeks. Others only need a small number of treatments.
Before starting radiation therapy you will go to a simulation or planning session to work out how you will be positioned for treatment.
When you go for each treatment, most of the time is used to set you up in the right position. The actual radiation beam is only on for a few minutes.
EBRT is not painful and you won’t feel anything during the treatment. You will hear some buzzing noises and the machine will move around you but it won’t touch you. The radiation therapist can see and hear you throughout the treatment.
Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT)
Some pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (PNETs) can be treated with peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT).
Radionuclide therapy is a way of delivering high levels of radiation directly to cancer cells. It can be used to treat some cancers which have receptors for a particular protein or molecule.
The molecule is labelled with a radioactive substance, called a radionuclide or radioisotope.
The labelled molecule is injected into the patient’s vein, and travels round the body in the blood stream. When it reaches the cancer cell, it attaches to the receptor and radiation from the radionuclide damages the cancer cell.
The radiation oncology team
Health professionals who work as part of the radiation oncology team include:
- radiation oncologist
- radiation therapist
- radiation oncology nurse
- medical physicist.
Other resources we recommend
What to ask or talk about
Side effects of radiation therapy
Most people get some side effects with radiation therapy. These depend on the part of the body treated, and how the person responds to the treatment.
Common side effects include:
- redness and other skin changes in the treatment area
- hair loss in the treatment area
- fatigue.
Other side effects depend on the area treated. Ask your doctor or nurse what side effects to expect, and how to manage them.
Will I be radioactive?
External beam radiation therapy (EBRT) does not make patients radioactive.
Brachytherapy patients can be radioactive while they are receiving treatment. Those who go home with radioactive sources in their body will give out a very small amount of radiation which reduces over time.
Some other types of radiation therapy can also make patients radioactive for a time after treatment.
Checklists
Other resources we recommend
Next steps
Preparing for radiation therapy
Before radiation therapy, you will need to sign a consent form. It is important you understand what you are consenting to and the possible side effects.
Some things you should know are:
- whether you need any tests before starting radiation therapy
- if you need to change your diet or medications
- when you have to be there
- if you need to have time off work
- if you will be able to drive after radiation therapy.
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Cancer Council Mon-Fri 9am-5pm13 11 20
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Pancare Foundation1300 881 698
