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Radiotherapy Step by Stepالعربية

Patient handout: Palliative Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy Step by Step — Designed for radiation oncologists to use in clinic

Treatment aimed at relieving symptoms and improving quality of life, often in few sessions with limited side effects.

Why radiotherapy is used

  • Palliative treatment does not necessarily aim to cure, but to relieve symptoms such as pain, bleeding, or pressure, and to improve your comfort and quality of life.
  • It is often effective and fast, and given in fewer sessions than curative treatment.
  • It is an important and compassionate option that has its place in your care plan — not a giving up on treatment.

The area being treated

  • The specific symptom-causing area (such as a painful bone, or a tumor causing bleeding or pressure).
  • Treatment is directed to relieve the symptom with the least possible disruption.
  • It may include more than one site if there are multiple symptoms.

How to prepare

  • Keep taking your painkillers regularly, and tell the team if they are no longer enough so we can adjust them.
  • Arrange someone to accompany you if you feel weak or fatigued.
  • Do not hesitate to ask for support — comfort and quality of life are a core goal here.
  • Note your symptoms and their changes to help the team fine-tune treatment.

Early (acute) side effects

  • Mild, local effects usually depending on the treated area.
  • Temporary tiredness may occur.
  • In bone treatment pain may briefly increase before it improves (a temporary flare) — this is expected and managed with painkillers.
  • Mild nausea if the area is near the abdomen.

Questions to ask your doctor

  • What is the specific goal of this treatment (pain relief, stopping bleeding, reducing pressure)?
  • When can I expect to feel improvement?
  • How many sessions, and could it be a single session?
  • What do I do if the pain increases after starting?
  • How does this treatment fit with the rest of my care?

When to contact us immediately

  • New weakness or numbness in the limbs, or difficulty controlling urination or bowels (emergency — may indicate spinal cord compression)
  • New severe pain not controlled by your usual medication
  • Fever or signs of infection
  • Heavy bleeding or severe breathlessness

If any of these appear, contact your treatment team immediately or go to the emergency department.