Single Treatment of Radiotherapy to the Chest

Transcription

1 Patient Information Single Treatment of Radiotherapy to the Chest The Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre 1053 Great Western Road, Glasgow G12 0YN

2 This leaflet is for patients with lung cancer who will have one radiotherapy treatment to the chest area. It describes the radiotherapy planning and treatment and explains the effects that you may experience during and after treatment, and how best to cope with them. The effects of treatment vary from one patient to another; therefore the information given here is intended as a general guide and does not mean that you will have all the effects described. Your doctor and radiographer will explain your treatment. Before treatment begins it is important that you understand it and some of its possible effects. If you are in any doubt about anything or have any questions or problems, please let us know as soon as possible. If you are travelling from home we would advise you bring someone with you. You may have your planning and treatment on the same day so you may be longer than usual in the department. Bring any medication you may need with you. 1

3 Planning your treatment Before radiotherapy begins, the treatment must be carefully planned. This will take place at the simulator unit or at the CT simulator. We will ask you to undress to the waist. Depending on the exact area needing treatment, it is usually possible to keep on underwear. The radiographers will advise about this and will ensure your dignity is maintained by covering you up whenever possible. Paper gowns are available for your use. The simulator is a special x- ray machine similar to the treatment units used to give your radiotherapy. You will lie on your back on the couch. It is a little hard but you will not have to lie on it for too long and the radiographers will make you as comfortable as possible. It may be a good idea to take your painkillers before this if you find lying particularly uncomfortable. It is very important to stay as still as you can, but you should try to relax as much as possible and breathe normally. If you do need to cough, try to do it gently and don t raise your hand to cover your mouth. The radiographers will monitor you closely and assist when necessary. So try not to worry. Once you are in the correct position, the radiographers and doctor will look at your chest on the x-ray screen. This allows them to plan your treatment accurately. While this is happening you may feel the couch moving gently until you are in the correct position under the machine. An x-ray image will be taken as a permanent record of the treatment area and a little permanent mark (which looks like a tiny freckle) will be made on your skin. Treatment You will have your treatment on a Linear Accelerator, which is a special type of x-ray machine, which gives radiotherapy. 2

4 The radiographers will position you just as you were in the simulator or CT simulator before giving you treatment. The radiographers have to leave the treatment room when the machine is on but your treatment does not take long. You will be closely monitored by CCTV. We will explain everything before treatment starts. Your treatment is painless and usually takes around 5-10 minutes. You will feel no different immediately afterwards. Check with the radiographers if you have any questions. Possible side-effects It is important to remember that this is a general guide. Everyone is different and you may only have some of these side effects. Tiredness: You may feel very tired, especially in the first few days after your treatment. Some people can feel quite weak as if they have the flu. It is important to rest as much as possible when tired. It may take several weeks before the tiredness settles. Skin: Your skin may become pink and itchy soon after the treatment. Wash with tepid water and use only unperfumed soap on the area that was treated. Do not use bubble bath or shower gel. You can use aqueous cream on the affected area. You can get this from your GP or buy it at your local chemist. The reaction should settle within a few days and you can start to wash normally again. The radiotherapy will cause hair loss in the area where you are treated. Sore Throat: If the area you had treated covers part of your throat, you may develop a sore throat or a feeling of a lump in your throat when you swallow. You can take 3

5 painkillers for the pain and your GP can give you some medicine to help ease the lump in your throat. These symptoms should settle down within a few weeks. Heartburn: If the area you had treated covers part of your gullet, you may experience heartburn, which can sometimes be quite uncomfortable and may last several days. Your doctor can give you something for this. Pain: You may have some pain in your chest during the first 48 hours after your treatment. This should settle quite quickly. You can take painkillers for this and contact your GP if the pain persists. Breathlessness: If you have been breathless or wheezy before the treatment, this could become a little worse afterwards. If you use inhalers continue to do so. If you are concerned, you should contact your GP. Cough: Sometimes patients notice that their cough and/ or spit become slightly worse after treatment. This should settle within a few weeks. If your spit becomes coloured (green/red), contact your GP to make sure you do not have an infection. Please remember that radiotherapy only affects the part of your body being treated. What do I do if I feel ill? If you become unwell after your treatment you must contact your GP or if he is unavailable then contact NHS 24 on If you experience sudden severe problems with your breathing becoming very much worse go to Accident and Emergency if you are able or dial

6 Information and Support Our staff are here to make sure your treatment goes as smoothly as possible and will try to help with any questions or problems you may have. Specialist help and information in the Beatson is available from: Clinical Nurse Specialist in Lung Cancer (Beatson) Tel: Information and Support Radiographer Tel: Macmillan Information Radiographer and Counsellor Tel: Macmillan Benefits Team - advice on benefits Tel: Beatson Cancer Centre - if you would like to know more about our Centre please visit We have an Information Centre on Level 1 within the Beatson where you can find further information, help and guidance. Telephone The Cancer Centre provides a Radiotherapy Advice Line for patients who have completed treatment. If you have any questions or concerns please leave your name and number on the answering machine. We will call you back as soon as possible. This service is available Monday Friday only. Radiotherapy Advice Line

7 6

8 Leaflet revised by L. Webster, L.Brown, M.Omand July 2011 Leaflet approved by L.Webster Review Date: July 2013 MEDICAL ILLUSTRATION SERVICES To obtain copies of this document, phone or Reference No