Receiving a Short Course of Radiotherapy

Transcription

1 Information for Patients Receiving a Short Course of Radiotherapy The Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre 1053 Great Western Road, Glasgow G12 0YN

2 This leaflet is for patients attending the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre for a maximum of 5 treatments. Please read through it carefully and make notes of any questions you may have that can be answered when you attend your appointment. Please share this booklet with your family and friends. It is important that they feel well-informed and understand what is happening. Families and carers can have a role in helping you. This leaflet describes radiotherapy planning and treatment and also the effects you may experience during and after treatment. We also offer advice on how best to cope with any treatment side effects. Your doctor has decided to give you this treatment to help alleviate some of your symptoms. These symptoms will vary depending on the area needing treatment, but they may include Pain Bleeding Areas of swelling, causing discomfort Similarly, the effects of treatment vary from one patient to another and depend on which part of the body is being treated. The information given here is intended as a general guide. Your doctor and the radiographers will explain your particular treatment and any side effects that you may experience. Before agreeing to this treatment it is also important that you understand its nature and possible effects. If you are in doubt about anything or have any questions or problems, please let us know as soon as possible. Preparation for Treatment Before radiotherapy begins, the treatment must be carefully planned. This will be done by the therapy radiographers and your doctor and take place at the simulator or CT simulator. 2

3 Simulator The simulator is a special type of x-ray machine used to plan your radiotherapy. You will be guided and helped to lie on the simulator couch. It is a hard bed but you will not have to lie on it for too long and the radiographers will make you as comfortable as possible. It is very important that you breathe normally, relax and lie as still as you can. Once you are in the correct position, the radiographers will place some marks on your skin using a pen. Your doctor will then look at the area needing treatment 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. An x-ray will be taken to finalise the treatment area and once your doctor is satisfied with your planned treatment, your radiographers will replace the pen marks with a little permanent mark (tattoo) which looks like a tiny freckle. This planning appointment will take about 30minutes. CT Simulator Your treatment can also be planned using a CT scanner. The radiographers will transfer you onto a special couch in the position necessary for your treatment. Again the bed is quite hard however every effort will be made to make you as comfortable as possible. At the time of your scan, marks will be put on your skin with a felt tip pen. It is important that you stay as still as you can during the scan. It will only take a few minutes. The x-ray pictures from this CT scan will help us plan your radiotherapy. Your doctor and radiographer will look at your scan and decide on the exact area to be treated. This can take minutes so if you have a family member or a friend with you they can come and sit with you. Once your doctor is satisfied with your planned treatment, your radiographers will replace the pen marks with a little permanent mark (tattoo) which looks like a tiny freckle. This planning appointment will take about 30 minutes. 3

4 Radiotherapy Treatment It is likely that after you have had your treatment planned you will receive your treatment on the same day or the day after. The treatment will be given on a machine called a linear accelerator which is a special x-ray machine used to give radiotherapy treatment. The staff that operate these machines are called therapy radiographers. They are specially trained professionals who are responsible for planning and delivering your treatment accurately. They will explain everything before treatment starts and check you know what to expect and how many treatments you will have. Your radiotherapy will be given in small daily doses. The department is open from 8.15am 6.15pm. If you are an inpatient for the course of your treatment and your treatment time coincides with visiting time on the ward please bring your visitors down with you to the radiotherapy department. Each time you come for treatment your radiographers will position you just as you were in the Simulator/CT scanner. The radiographers leave the room while the machine is on but they are monitoring you closely on closed circuit TV while your treatment is being delivered. There is nothing to feel during treatment or immediately afterwards. Your treatment usually takes around 10 minutes. It is important that you stay as still as you can during treatment and breathe normally. Please speak to your radiographers if you have any questions or problems. Effects of Treatment It is important to remember that this is a general guide. Each patient is individual and may experience the effects to differing degrees. The effects will vary depending on the area of the body being treated. Your doctor and radiographers will be able to give you more specific information when you come for treatment. Some common questions that patients ask are detailed below: Can I have a bath or a shower? Radiotherapy only affects the area of the body that we are treating. 4

5 Therefore we ask that during your treatment you continue to shower, however use only unperfumed soap or Simple bar of soap in the treatment area, do not use shower gel. Ensure that the water is not too hot and pat your skin dry. If you feel that your skin in the affected area is dry, pink or itchy ask the radiographers for some moisturiser or Aqueous cream. Do not use deodorant or perfume in the treatment area. Will I feel any different after treatment? During treatment you will not feel or see anything. However once your treatment has finished you may feel more tired than usual. The tiredness can last for some time after treatment has finished so it is important to rest as much as possible. Do not be afraid to ask friends or family for help. Can I have contact with young children or pregnant people? As soon as you have had your radiotherapy you are free to continue your normal daily activities. You can visit young children/pregnant friends or family members without having to worry about causing any harm. Will I lose my hair? You may loose hair only in the treated area, but it will usually re-grow a few months after treatment has ended. Will I feel sick? If the area you are having treatment in includes your abdomen you may feel sick after the treatment has finished or later in the evening. Your doctor will give you some tablets to help this and it should settle. Will I have diarrhoea? If you are having treatment to your lower back, hip or pelvis, you may experience some diarrhoea. Please speak to your Doctor or radiographers for advice. 5

6 General Advice following radiotherapy Although you may be feeling off your food, it s important to eat to maintain your strength. Facing three large meals a day can be very difficult if you feel this way. Try having smaller meals or snacks more often. It can also help to serve you food on smaller plates it s less off-putting and you can feel pleased with yourself if you manage to finish it. Your GP can prescribe food supplements if necessary. Keep drinking plenty of fluids, as it s important you don t become dehydrated. Try to get as much rest as possible. This is the time when you need to look after yourself so accept offers of help from family, friends and neighbours. This also allows them to feel involved in caring for you at this time. What do I do if I feel unwell? If you suddenly feel unwell and are unable to come for treatment, contact your GP and also let your treatment unit know. It is important that you try to attend each appointment. If you manage to come for your radiotherapy but feel unwell let your radiographers know you as soon as you arrive and they can arrange for a doctor to see you. Similarly if you are unwell and have completed your treatment you must contact your own GP. After Treatment Ends It is important to remember that the treatment may at first make your symptoms slightly worse. However any symptoms that have developed because of the treatment will gradually settle down. The tiredness can take a number of weeks to resolve so please don t worry about this. It s also important to remember that the full benefits of your treatment may take a number of weeks to be felt, and it may be a little while before you feel better. Our hope is that you will notice a gradual improvement in the days and weeks after your treatment has finished. Your doctor will arrange to see you about 4-6 weeks after your treatment is completed and we will send you a follow-up

7 appointment. In the meantime, continue to try to eat and drink plenty of fluids and do as much as you feel able. Accept any offers of help from family and friends Where can I Get Help? Information and Support All 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. Further specialist help and information is available from: Information and Support Radiographer Tel: Macmillan Information Radiographer Counsellor Tel: We have an Information Centre on Level 1 where you can find further information and signposting to other services. Tel: The Cancer Centre has a Radiotherapy Advice Line available for patients who have completed treatment and have a non-urgent query. This is an answer phone service, available from Monday Friday. Please leave your name and contact number and we will call you back as soon as possible. Tel: The Cancer Centre also has a Cancer Treatment Helpline for urgent calls. This is for patients on or within 6 weeks of treatment who have urgent or severe symptoms. The line is available 24 hours for emergencies, although it would be helpful if you called early in the day if this is at all possible. For Urgent Calls Tel: Counselling and Clinical Psychology This leaflet deals with the physical aspects of your treatment, but your emotional well-being is just as important to us. Being diagnosed with cancer can be a deeply distressing time for you and those closest to you. Within the department we have a counselling and clinical psychology service that can help with worries and difficulties you might be having. If you think this may be helpful to you, please ask staff to put you in touch. 7

8 There are also voluntary organisations providing information and support. These include; Macmillan Cancer Support Providing practical, medical, emotional and financial advice for those affected by cancer. Maggie s Gartnavel: Maggie s Centre, Wishaw General Hospital Maggie s Centre provides a comprehensive cancer support programme for people and their families affected by cancer. Cancer Support Scotland (Tak Tent),The Calman Cancer Support Centre, Gartnavel Complex. Freephone or Provides emotional and practical support on a one-to-one basis and through community based groups. Complementary therapies available. Macmillan Benefits Team (within the Beatson) Provides free and confidential advice for people affected by cancer and their carers. Beatson Cancer Centre if you want to find out more about our Centre please visit NHS Leaflet reviewed by M. Brown & L. Brown QA approved by L. Webster April 2013 Review Date April 2015 MIS