- Patients
- Cancer treatments
- Radiotherapy
- Palliative radiotherapy
Palliative radiotherapy
Palliative radiation therapy’s aim isn’t to cure cancer. We focus on giving you a better quality of life by controlling your symptoms.
Palliative care
What is palliative care?
Palliative care does not aim to cure a cancer, it is used to help shrink, slow down the growth, or control symptoms of an advanced stage tumour. It may also be used to control the symptoms of a cancer that has spread to give a patient a better quality of life.
Treatment
How can palliative treatment help?
- Palliative treatment can:
- Relieve pain in bone cancer
- Treat a blood vessel blockage in the neck
- Control ulcerating tumours and reduce bleeding
- Treat symptoms of cancer in the lungs
- Treat symptoms of cancer in the brain
- Shrink a tumour to reduce pain
- Relieve pressure on the spinal cord
Is it right for me?
Palliative radiation therapy isn’t the answer for everyone. Other therapies such as surgery, chemotherapy, hormone therapy or biological therapy may be better. Your consultant is the best person to talk with about the best way forward.
Book an appointment
If you’re worried about symptoms or you have any concerns, contact us today to speak to our friendly team.
How long will radiation therapy last?
Most people don’t need long courses of palliative radiation therapy – it might be anything between one and ten treatments. Your consultant can advise you. If you live a long way from your treatment centre, you may be offered a session on the same day as your first consultation.
What’s involved?
- In most cases, before your treatment, you’ll be invited to a ‘planning’ session. That’s when we work with you to design the best course of treatment – taking into account your body shape, and the size and location of the cancer
- During the planning session, you’ll be given an X-ray or a CT scan. We’ll mark your skin near the treatment area. This makes sure your treatment is accurately targeted
- If the treatment involves your head or neck, then before your treatment you’ll be fitted with a head frame (or specially designed mask) to keep your head completely still during the procedure. This involves having a local anaesthetic
Read next
Doctors
Our doctors
GenesisCare works with many leading and experienced cancer doctors who share our commitment to providing excellent patient care
Centres
Our centres
With 440 centres across the world, we're continuing to diagnose and treat without delay, bringing specialist care closer to our patients in the UK, Spain, Australia and the US.
Cancer care
Exploring cancer care
We are the UK’s leading private provider of advanced radiotherapy and cancer care. We offer fast access to the latest technology and treatments that has been proven to make a difference.
Cancer care
How can we help?
Accessing world-class cancer care is easier than you think. Follow these easy steps to get treatment, tests and scans, or a second opinion at GenesisCare, and find out the different ways of funding your cancer care.
Patient support
Patient stories
We believe patients can be our teachers and trusted advisers, benefiting from their unique experiences.