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Section 2
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy is the use of radiation treatment (high energy rays like x-rays) which
destroys cancer cells while doing as little harm as possible to normal cells.
A mask is made, by taking a mould of the child’s face shape,which then has to be
worn for around half an hour while the child remains very still. A simulation session,
which lasts around 20 minutes,will be carried out where the child lies down wearing
the mask while measurements are checked to ensure the treatment is targeting the
right place.
Radiotherapy involves treatment of the area for six weeks,Monday to Friday.The
preparation is very important and younger children (under fve to six years old) will
possibly need a general anaesthetic every day of their treatment as they need to stay
very still so that the treatment is targeting the exact location. Bloods should also be
checked weekly during radiotherapy.
Parents should remember that play specialists, if available, have an important role in
preparing children for treatment and their input may mean a general anaesthetic is
not required.
The treatment lasts only a few minutes but parents may need to organise to be
resident in the city where treatment is taking place in order to avoid long journeys
each day.Your CLIC Sargent or outreach nurse, based at main treatment centres,will
be able to help you with these arrangements.
Side effects:
Hair loss (this tends to be on either side of the head)
Nausea/vomiting
Painful throat
Tender skin
Affects appetite – it is likely your child’s appetite and palate will
change dramatically
A scan will be carried out four to six weeks after radiotherapy
(to allow time for any swelling to go down) to see if there has been any change
to the tumour. Sometimes the scan is diffcult to interpret as the tumour may
look worse even at this stage due to swelling.The aim of this treatment is to slow
progression of and shrink the tumour as well as to aid quality of life, rather than cure
the disease.The effects of radiotherapy do go on beyond when the treatment has
ended (for up to three months).