Treatment: External beam radiation therapy (EBRT)

External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT)?

EBRT delivers high-energy radiation therapy beams to a patient's tumour, with the aim being to destroy cancer cells and to shrink the tumour, while seeking to minimise damage to surrounding tissue.

Following an initial consultation with your treating radiation oncologist, an appointment will be made for a radiation therapy simulation. During the simulation appointment, a computed tomography (CT) scan will be performed so that a personalised treatment plan can be designed. The scans taken help the radiation oncologist develop each treatment plan, including where to target the radiation and the dose to give, plus the appropriate positions for your body during your radiation therapy treatment sessions.

At your first treatment session, the radiation therapists will use your individual treatment plan to position the body correctly and to deliver the radiation therapy your radiation oncologist has prescribed. The rest of your radiation therapy sessions will be like your first treatment session.

How is treatment given?

EBRT is delivered using a radiation machine, known as a linear accelerator (commonly abbreviated to LINAC).

Further details about EBRT include:

You will lie on a treatment table or 'couch' or 'bed' under the machine.
The machine doesn’t touch you and treatment is painless, however it may rotate around you to deliver radiation to the tumour area from different directions. This is in order to allow the radiation to precisely target the cancer.
We aim to minimise radiation to surrounding healthy tissue.
All cancer treatments may have side effects. The type and severity of side effects will vary between individuals, and the risk may be affected by your general health, other treatments you've had and the targets to be treated. You can ask your doctor for detailed information about the side effects which you may experience with any treatment recommended for you.

How many sessions will I need?

Everyone’s different and your treatments are designed specifically for you. Your doctor is the best person to advise you about the number of treatments. Some need daily sessions over several weeks, while others need fewer.

We know that it can be tough to fit regular appointments with your busy life. So, just let us know when you’re free and we’ll make it work for you.

Find a centre near you

Any medical procedure or treatment involving the use of radiation carries risks, including skin irritation and associated pain. Before proceeding with treatment, you should discuss the risks and benefits of the treatment with an appropriately qualified health practitioner. Individual treatment outcomes and experiences will vary.

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