Radiotherapy, also known as radiation therapy, uses x-rays to kill cancer cells and stop them from growing. Radiotherapy is a safe and effective treatment for many types of cancer.
Half of all people with cancer may benefit from radiotherapy to help cure their cancers or improve their quality of life. Radiotherapy can shrink cancers, and treat cancers that have spread to other areas in the body. This type of treatment relieves pain and other symptoms. Radiation therapy is a treatment that is individualised. Treatment is prescribed based on several factors, including:
- the patient’s general health and personal preferences
- the type, size and location of the cancer
- whether the cancer has spread to other areas of the body
- the intention of treatment, e.g. symptom relief or cure
- whether radiotherapy is used alone or with other treatments
At Gosford Hospital’s Central Coast Centre Centre, radiotherapy is generally delivered daily (Monday to Friday) over several weeks. It may be combined with other cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy and surgery. Most radiotherapy treatments are given as an outpatient, without causing any pain or requiring time to recover.
Contact Radiation oncology Gosford for more information 02 4320 9888.
Cancer treatments