Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy is a way of treating cancers using X-rays or other types of radiation. It is also known as radiotherapy.
Brain and spinal cord tumours may be treated with external beam radiation therapy.
What you need to know
Radiation therapy for brain and spinal cord tumours
Purpose
Radiation therapy for brain and spinal cord tumours can be given:
- after surgery to try to kill any remaining cells, and reduce the chance of the cancer coming back
- when cancers are not able to be removed with surgery
- to reduce symptoms caused by the cancer.
How it is given
The type of radiation therapy used is external beam radiation therapy (ERBT), including:
- stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS)
- stereotactic radiation therapy (SRT)
- intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT), or 3D conformal radiation therapy (3DCRT).
Both SRS and SRT are specialised forms of radiation therapy designed to treat a highly defined area with the smallest possible dose to the surrounding area.
Immobilisation mask
Before starting radiation therapy for a brain tumour, a special immobilisation mask or shell will be made to fit you. During treatment the mask is secured to the treatment table to keep your head still and in the right position so the radiotherapy is given to exactly the right area.
Ask the radiation therapy team to show you a mask and explain why they use it. If you are claustrophobic (get scared in small spaces), tell your doctor before your treatment begins. They may be able to give you medication to help you relax.
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.
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 to the brain
Most people get some side effects when having radiation therapy for brain or spinal cord cancers.
Short-term side effects can include:
- tiredness (fatigue)
- hair loss
- skin changes
- headaches
- nausea and vomiting
- ear fullness or decreased hearing
- vision or eye problems
- seizure
- confusion or fluctuating memory
- dizziness.
Long-term side effects can include:
- problems remembering things
- confusion or trouble thinking clearly
- personality changes
- headaches.
Not everyone will develop long term side effects.
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.
