At GenesisCare our doctors and expert teams are leading specialists in using advanced radiotherapy for different cancers and our state-of-the-art centres are equipped with the latest radiotherapy technologies.
Recent breakthroughs have led to radiotherapy treatments that can significantly improve cancer outcomes by controlling tumours and reducing the need for surgery. At the same time, these techniques can limit side effects and shorten treatment times from weeks to just a few days for some tumour types.
What is radiotherapy?
Radiotherapy, also called radiation therapy, kills cancer cells. It’s used to cure cancer (called curative or radical radiotherapy) or it can be used palliatively to limit cancer growth and relieve pain and discomfort from cancer that has spread and can’t be cured. Radiotherapy can also be used to make other treatments more effective, such as before surgery or with chemotherapy, or reduce the risk of cancer coming back after surgery.
In addition, radiotherapy can also be used to treat cancers that have returned following previous treatments. This is known as SABR reirradiation or repeat radiotherapy.
Radiotherapy at GensisCare
MRIdian radiotherapy
MRIdian radiotherapy
The advanced technology of the MRIdian is used to treat complex cancers including cervical, kidney, liver, lung, lymphoma, pancreas, prostate, rectal and sarcoma
Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR)
Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR)
SABR is a non-invasive, radiotherapy technique used to treat localised tumours and secondary cancers.
Image guided radiotherapy (IGRT)
Image guided radiotherapy (IGRT)
IGRT is a technique which involves collecting images to verify the position of a tumour prior to radiotherapy to make it more effective and reduces side effects
Surface guided radiotherapy (SGRT)
Surface guided radiotherapy (SGRT)
SGRT uses sophisticated 3D camera technology to accurately target and kill cancer cells.
Volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT)
Volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT)
VMAT is ideally suited for the treatment of advanced cancers, helping to slow their growth, spread and relieve symptoms, such as pain
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Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS)
Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS)
SRS may be suitable if you have a tumour that starts in your brain (primary tumour) or a tumour that has spread from elsewhere in your body.
Gamma knife radiosurgery
Gamma knife radiosurgery
Gamma Knife radiosurgery is used to treat benign brain conditions and secondary brain tumours.
Intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT)
Intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT)
IMRT is a ‘conformal’ radiotherapy. This means radiation beams are shaped to surround the treatment area
Reducing side effects
Because radiotherapy can carry risks of damage to surrounding healthy organs, we use the following techniques to help reduce treatment related side effects and improve your quality of life.
At GenesisCare, we’re redefining cancer care by investing early in the most advanced, evidence-based radiotherapy treatments and techniques that can change lives.
FAQs
Radiotherapy uses high doses of radiation, aimed at the tumours. Radiation can damage the cancer cells by breaking the DNA strands apart. The DNA is a code of instructions that tell the cancer cell how to survive. When the strands are broken, the cancer cell dies.
Radiotherapy is mostly used in cancer treatment. Sometimes it's used to treat non-cancerous (benign) tumours or some blood disorders or conditions like thyroid diseases. At low doses, we can use radiation beams in X-rays.
Radiotherapy uses radiation beams directed at the tumour and is focused on one area of your body.
Chemotherapy is a medicine designed to destroy cancer cells and can be given in a number of ways, such as in tablet form or through a vein (intravenously).
The best form of treatment for you will depend on many factors like your type of cancer or the stage your cancer is at. Often, chemotherapy and radiotherapy can complement each other and be used together.
While newer radiotherapy techniques mean fewer side effects than earlier forms of radiotherapy, there are still side effects that you may experience, as with any treatment.
Common side effects include:
- Tiredness
- Skin changes and inflammation
- Swelling and build up of fluids
- Hair loss
- Stress, anxiety and other coping issues are also common
Your care team at GenesisCare can help you manage side effects with medication if needed, advice about diet or your daily routine, and additional support such as wellbeing therapies and exercise medicine.
Our highly experienced cancer experts work as teams to ensure that every patient has access to world-class cancer care within days of diagnosis.
All our consultants also work for large regional NHS hospitals which means they have extensive experience and are familiar with the local healthcare networks.
Radiotherapy uses high energy radiation to kill cancer cells. At GenesisCare, our state-of-the-art linear technologies use X-rays and gamma rays to precisely target and destroy tumours within the body and electrons for tumours on the skin.
Radiotherapy does not kill cancer cells right away – it can take a few days or weeks. Then they will continue to die for weeks or months after your treatment course has ended. You will have a follow-up with your doctor after your treatment to assess how well it has worked.
More than half of all people diagnosed with cancer will need radiotherapy as part of their treatment, and radiotherapy has been included in the treatment plan for 40% of cancers cured. Timely access to the latest equipment and techniques can help to improve outcomes.
Almost all private medical insurers will pay for cancer treatment from the time of diagnosis, including radiotherapy and follow-up appointments.
Private treatment at GenesisCare can give you access to these latest treatments, quickly.