Radiotherapy treats cancer by using high-energy x-rays to destroy cancer cells while doing as little harm as possible to normal cells.
when is it used?
Radiotherapy is an important part of the treatment for soft tissue sarcomas, especially if the sarcoma affects the arms or legs. It is used in one of two ways:
- Before surgery - to shrink the tumour and make it easier for the surgeon to operate or to avoid having to amputate the limb.
- After surgery - to destroy any remaining cancer cells. If radiotherapy is given after surgery then it's important that your wound is healed from the surgery before radiotherapy starts. It usually starts 4-6 weeks after surgery so that all the swelling has settled down and that the wound has fully healed.
Treatment is given in the hospital radiotherapy department. It's usually every weekday with a rest at the weekend. The length of your treatment depends on the type and size of the cancer but it's usually takes a few weeks.
are there any side effects?
Radiotherapy isn't painful, but it can cause side effects, some are general and some are specific to the part of the body being treated. General side effects include tiredness and skin problems. Specific side effects include joint stiffness, physiotherapy can be a real help with this side effect.
If you want to know more about radiotherapy and how you might feel, there is more information in the general radiotherapy and the deal with it sections.
