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Clinical Oncology guides
16 plain-English, evidence-linked guides in Clinical Oncology, with clinical review status shown on each page.
Brachytherapy (internal radiotherapy) (Brachytherapy (sealed-source internal radiotherapy))A type of radiotherapy that places a radioactive source inside the body, in or right next to the cancer, so a high dose of radiation is given to the tumour while sparing more of the healthy tissue around it.Brain tumour radiotherapy (Radiotherapy for brain tumours (external beam, stereotactic radiotherapy or radiosurgery))A planned course of radiation that aims to treat tumours in the brain or spinal cord, given as daily beams or as a smaller number of very focused treatments.Cancer follow-up and surveillance (Follow-up and surveillance after cancer treatment)The planned checks, appointments and sometimes scans or blood tests after cancer treatment, which aim to spot problems or a return of the cancer and to support recovery.Chemoradiotherapy (Chemoradiotherapy (concurrent chemotherapy and radiotherapy))Having chemotherapy and radiotherapy together, so the drugs make the cancer cells more sensitive to the radiation. It can be more effective than either treatment alone, but the side effects are usually stronger, so it is not right for everyone.Clinical oncology consultation (Clinical oncology (radiotherapy and systemic cancer treatment) consultation)An appointment with a clinical oncologist to discuss a cancer diagnosis and the treatment options, which can include radiotherapy and drug treatments, and to agree a plan.External beam radiotherapy (External beam radiotherapy (EBRT))A cancer treatment that uses carefully aimed beams of radiation from a machine to destroy or control cancer cells, given as one or more planned sessions.Head and neck cancer radiotherapy (Radiotherapy for head and neck cancer (radical, adjuvant or palliative external beam radiotherapy))A planned course of radiation that aims to treat cancers of the mouth, throat, voice box, salivary glands or nearby areas, given as daily beams from outside the body.Image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT)The use of scans or X-rays taken at the radiotherapy machine, just before or during each session, to check your position and aim the radiation accurately.Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) (Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), including volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT))A precise form of external beam radiotherapy that shapes the radiation and varies its strength to match the tumour, aiming to spare more of the healthy tissue around it.Palliative radiotherapy for symptom control (Palliative (symptom-control) radiotherapy)Radiotherapy given to ease symptoms of cancer — such as pain, bleeding or pressure — rather than to cure it. It is often a short course, sometimes just one treatment, aimed at helping you feel better and protecting your quality of life.Prostate cancer radiotherapy (Radical radiotherapy for prostate cancer (external beam radiotherapy and/or brachytherapy))A course of carefully planned radiation that aims to treat prostate cancer, given either as daily beams from outside the body or as radioactive sources placed inside the prostate.Proton beam therapy (Proton beam radiotherapy (pencil-beam scanning external-beam radiotherapy using protons))A specialised type of external radiotherapy that uses beams of protons instead of x-rays. For most cancers it is not proven to work better than modern x-ray radiotherapy, and on the NHS it is reserved for specific situations where sparing nearby healthy tissue clearly matters.Radioisotope (molecular radiotherapy) treatment (Molecular radiotherapy (radionuclide / radioisotope therapy))A treatment that uses a radioactive medicine, given as a drink, capsule or injection, that travels through the body and is taken up by cancer cells so the radiation is delivered from the inside. It comes with radiation-safety precautions for a period afterwards.Radiotherapy planning CT scan (Radiotherapy planning CT (CT simulation / radiotherapy simulation))A special CT scan, taken in your treatment position, that maps exactly where the cancer and nearby organs are so your radiotherapy team can plan precisely where the radiation will go. It is a planning step, not the treatment itself.Skin cancer radiotherapy (Radiotherapy for non-melanoma skin cancer (superficial X-ray, electron beam or brachytherapy))A planned course of radiation that aims to treat skin cancers such as basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma, used mainly when surgery would be difficult or unwanted.Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR / SBRT) (Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR), also called stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT))A very precise form of radiotherapy that delivers a high dose to a small, well-defined tumour in a few sessions, used for selected early-stage or limited cancers.
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