Where do you have your treatment?

Radiotherapy equipment is very complex and needs a lot of space, as well as support from specially trained staff, so radiotherapy departments tend to be found in the larger regional and teaching hospitals. Often you will have your initial cancer treatment (such as surgery) at your local hospital and will then be referred to your nearest specialist cancer treatment hospital for your radiotherapy treatment.

Radiotherapy departments have varying types of equipment and are organised according to local needs, so they are run in different ways. While most of the information in this booklet is fairly general, and will apply to most departments, you may find that there are some differences at your local hospital.

You can usually have external radiotherapy as an out-patient, but if you are unwell, or having chemotherapy as well, you may need to stay in hospital and will be taken to the department each day from the ward.

If you are having internal radiotherapy, you may have to stay in hospital for a few days