Before treatment
Radiotherapy
Preparing for treatment
How will I hear about my appointments?
You will receive your appointments either by post or by telephone. Please make sure we have your correct contact details.
Any specific instructions you need to follow will be detailed in your appointment letter. Please make sure you read your letter carefully.
If you have any questions regarding your appointments, please contact the booking team on 01483 571 122 ext 6632/2570.
Pre-treatment appointment
Before your treatment commences, we will ask you to attend the Radiotherapy Department for a pre-treatment appointment. This will be in the Computed Tomography (CT) Scanner or Mould Room.
These appointments allow us to gain important information that will be used to plan your treatment, and to decide on the best way to position you for your treatment. These appointments usually take a little longer than a treatment appointment.
If the treatment you are having requires special preparation, this will be discussed during your pre-treatment appointment. Depending on the area we are treating, you may receive additional instructions in the post with your appointment letter. If you haven’t been given any instructions, don’t worry – it means you don’t need them.
Arriving at the Cancer Centre
When you arrive in the department, report to the radiotherapy reception. A radiographer will show you to somewhere more private and explain the procedure to be carried out.
Ask any questions
Please feel free to ask if you have any questions. It may help if you come with a list of questions that you have thought about at home.
You will be asked to confirm that you are still willing to proceed with radiotherapy. If you have any queries or concerns about consenting to treatment a doctor will come to discuss them further.
Planning CT scan
You will be asked to change into a hospital gown or your own if you wish to bring one with you.
At the time of your scan, tiny permanent dots (tattoos) may be put on your skin. This will help with replicating your treatment position later.
If you have a pacemaker, please inform a radiographer when you arrive so that we can ensure the necessary arrangements have been made.
All patients may be asked if they are pregnant. If you suspect you may be pregnant, please inform a radiographer as soon as you arrive.
Once you have had your CT planning scan you can go home. We will be using the data we have gathered to produce a treatment plan specifically for you. Your treatment will start as soon as possible.
Masks and moulds
You may need to have a radiotherapy mask or mould made before you start treatment. This will be made in the Mould Room, which is in the main radiotherapy department.
If you need a mask it will be used to assist in keeping the treatment area still, which ensures your treatment is as accurate as possible.
Making the mask takes around 45 minutes and will see a plastic mesh put on your face and moulded so that it fits exactly. The mesh has lots of small holes in it, so you can still breathe easily.
Fiducial markers
Some men, who are having their prostate treated, may be required to have fiducial markers inserted. The prostate is an organ which can move slightly when you breathe or in relation to the changes within your bowel and bladder. To help us identify the prostate whilst planning your treatment, and each day before we give you your radiotherapy, a specialist radiographer or doctor will place gold fiducial markers into the prostate gland. This is usually done seven days before your CT scan.
The markers are used as a guide to make sure that each beam is just applied to your prostate. This will reduce the risk of side effects and damage to surrounding organs.
These gold markers are permanent but you will not be aware of them, and they will cause no harm.