Radiation therapy (radiotherapy) | FAQs, side effects & cost

What is radiotherapy?

Radiotherapy, or radiation therapy, is the use of radiation to safely treat and manage cancer. Radiation is used to eradicate cancer cells, reduce their growth or relieve symptoms of cancer.

Radiotherapy treats cancer by damaging cancer cells while limiting the impact to healthy cells. It works because cancer cells are more sensitive to radiation than healthy, normal cells. When a small dose of radiation is given each day over several weeks, normal cells can recover from the radiation, but cancer cells cannot.

Radiotherapy is typically a painless treatment, similar to having an x-ray, and is only delivered to the part of the body being treated.

How is radiotherapy delivered?

Radiotherapy treatment can be delivered on its own, or in combination with other forms of treatment, such as chemotherapy, hormone therapy and surgery. It's commonly undertaken as an outpatient service—these are medical services that do not require hospital admission.

At Icon, we use cutting-edge radiotherapy techniques and technology to deliver pinpoint accurate radiation to the tumour. Our technology and expertise allow us to accurately treat all cancer types of various sizes and locations.

How long does radiotherapy treatment take?

Treatment is usually given in daily intervals (Monday to Friday) over several weeks, allowing enough radiation to target cancer cells while providing healthy cells enough time to recuperate. A radiotherapy treatment session may only last 15 to 20 minutes.

A single course of radiotherapy is unique to each person and their condition. This includes the site and stage of the disease, type of disease, a person’s age and general health.

What are the side effects of radiotherapy?

Radiotherapy treatment is unique to each person and can affect the body in different ways. The most common side effect is fatigue, a feeling of exhaustion or lack of energy. Some people may also experience bowel or bladder irritation as they progress through treatment.

As radiation is targeted to a specific area of the body, other side effects are often contained to the area being treated. Site-specific effects may include skin irritation (redness, dryness, itching, peeling or blistering), pain, swelling and hair loss in the area being treated.

The below table provides examples of other side effects some people may experience, depending on the area being treated.

Radiotherapy side effect	Treatment site
Nausea and vomiting	Abdomen
Difficulty swallowing	Throat or oesophagus
Loss of taste, dry mouth, oral thrush, mouth ulcers	Head and neck
Female fertility	Abdomen, pelvis or pituitary gland
Male fertility	Pelvis or testes
Erectile function	Pelvis

How long do side effects last?

Although most radiotherapy side effects are temporary and resolve after treatment has finished, there is a possibility that long-term effects may occur. Your treatment team will discuss the type of side effects you may experience before your treatment begins.

Once you have commenced treatment, it's important to let your treating team know of any effects you notice, and those that are making you uncomfortable. At Icon Cancer Centre, your comfort is a priority; we are always there to help find ways to manage any side effects you experience.

How much does radiotherapy cost?

As your radiotherapy treatment is unique to you and your clinical circumstances, a consultation is usually required to give a single and accurate answer to this question.

Radiation oncology is funded by Medicare with up to 90% of the fee covered by Medicare including from the Medicare Safety Nets. This means out of pocket cost may be as little as 10% of the total cost to receive radiation therapy at a private centre such as Icon Cancer Centre, depending on your circumstances.

Importantly, regardless of whether you choose to receive public or private treatment, no private health insurance is required for valid Medicare card holders to receive radiation therapy in Australia.

For more information about the cost of radiation therapy treatment at Icon, reach out to our team at your nearest Icon Cancer Centre.

Common radiotherapy techniques

Adaptive radiotherapy

Adaptive radiotherapy uses advanced technology to adjust daily treatment in real-time based on changes to internal or external anatomy

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Brachytherapy

Brachytherapy is a special form of internal radiation therapy where a radioactive source is placed beside or inside the tumour, to deliver radiation to small areas over a period of time.

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Calypso

Calypso involves using radiofrequency transponders which are surgically placed in tumours to track and adjust radiation treatment beams due to natural movements of the body, such as breathing.

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Deep Inspiration Breath Hold (DIBH)

Deep Inspiration Breath Hold (DIBH) is a technique for left-sided breast cancer patients that reduces the potential impact of radiation on the heart.

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External beam radiotherapy (EBRT)

External beam radiotherapy (EBRT) is a type of radiotherapy that uses one or more beams to deliver high energy x-rays to a cancerous tumour.

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Hydrogel

SpaceOAR Hydrogel is a gel-like substance that is implanted between the prostate and rectum to reduce side effects during radiotherapy treatment.

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HyperArc

HyperArc accurately targets multiple tumours while ensuring limited doses of radiation to surrounding healthy brain tissue.

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Image guided radiotherapy (IGRT)

Image guided radiotherapy (IGRT) is a radiotherapy technique that utilises the most advanced imaging equipment and computer software.

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Intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT)

Intensity modulated radiotherapy [IMRT] is high precision radiotherapy that delivers high dose radiation to cancerous tumours, while limiting impact on healthy surrounding tissue.

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Stereotactic radiotherapy

Stereotactic technology is an advanced technique used to treat small tumours with well-defined edges in the brain, spine or lung, including tumours that have spread from a primary cancer.

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Superficial radiotherapy

Superficial radiotherapy is a non-invasive treatment for early non-melanoma skin cancer that can be an effective alternative to surgery.

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Surface guided radiotherapy (SGRT)

Surface guided radiotherapy is a tattoo-free radiotherapy alternative that uses advanced camera technology to facilitate 3D tracking of the skin’s surface during set-up and treatment.

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Triggered imaging

Triggered imaging is a technique unique to the TrueBeam linear accelerator (radiotherapy machine) and enables visual verification that a tumour is being accurately and precisely targeted. It is specifically used for prostate cancers.

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Volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT)

Volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) involves the use of external radiotherapy beams being directed in a series of arcs or angles to allow for greater access to a cancerous tumour.

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Frequently asked questions

You don't need to stay away from other people after external beam radiotherapy as it doesn't make you radioactive. It's perfectly safe for you to be with and around other people, including children, throughout your treatment.
Radiotherapy is a local treatment, meaning it only affects the area of the body where the radiation is targeted. Unless your radiation treatment is targeted at an area where hair grows, such as your scalp or face, you will not lose your hair. People having radiotherapy for breast cancer may find their underarm hair will fall out if it is near the radiated area, however it will grow back in time.
Yes, it's safe for you to drive after you receive treatment. However, if you feel unfit or unwell to do so, it’s important to advise your treatment team immediately.
This depends on where you are being treated. If you're a biological female having radiotherapy to the abdomen or pelvis, the amount of radiation absorbed by the ovaries will determine the potential impact on your fertility. Radiation to the pituitary gland may also influence fertility, as the pituitary gland normally signals the ovaries to ovulate. Radiation to both testes in men is rare, however if you require this therapy your fertility may be affected. Please speak with your oncologist should you or your partner wish to become pregnant, or if you have fertility concerns.
It's important you are not pregnant at any time during radiotherapy, as x-rays for used for positioning can harm the foetus. If you think you may be pregnant at any time, it's extremely important to discuss this with a member of the radiotherapy team. If you wish to become pregnant after your treatment please discuss this with your oncologist prior to commencing.
For men having radiotherapy to their pelvic region, it's advised that you do not father children during treatment. Radiotherapy may damage your sperm, which can lead to birth abnormalities. If you wish to father children after this treatment, please discuss this with your oncologist prior to commencing.
If you have radiotherapy to your abdominal region, you may get an upset stomach and feel nauseated. This will usually resolve when your course of treatment is completed. If you notice you're feeling nauseated for a prolonged period of time, please inform our team so we can suggest ways to manage this.