Radiotherapy uses high-energy radiation (usually X-rays) to treat disease, most commonly cancer. It can also help relieve symptoms caused by cancer.
The treatment works by damaging all cells in the targeted area, but while healthy cells recover, diseased cells are destroyed. Each patient’s radiotherapy is carefully planned to minimise effects on healthy tissue.
Radiotherapy is painless and treatments typically last from a few seconds to several minutes. Most treatments are delivered externally, but some cancers may be treated internally using a method called brachytherapy.
Our patient information library hosts a range of leaflets to help patients understand their radiotherapy treatment. Leaflets cover topics such as radiotherapy for specific body parts and brachytherapy.
View our radiotherapy patient information leaflets