Radiotherapy
Using high-energy rays, such as x-rays, to treat cancer
Feel unwell?
Receiving cancer treatment and feel unwell? Contact the acute oncology helpline.
Radiotherapy destroys cancer cells in the area where it is given.
Some normal cells in the area can also be damaged by radiotherapy. This can cause side effects. These normal cells can usually repair themselves, but cancer cells cannot. As the normal cells recover, the side effects usually improve.
Radiotherapy is always carefully planned by a team of experts and is continuing to become even more accurate. This means it can be used to treat the cancer more effectively, while doing as little harm as possible to normal cells.
If you need to have radiotherapy your treatment will be given at the Bexley Wing, St James Hospital in Leeds.
Visit The Leeds Teaching Hospital’s Radiotherapy page for more information about radiotherapy treatment.