Internal radiotherapy for head and neck cancer

Internal radiotherapy (also called interstitial radiotherapy, implant therapy or brachytherapy) involves putting radioactive material directly into the cancer. In this treatment radioactive needles or wires are inserted into the cancer while you are under a general anaesthetic. Over a few days, the needles or wires give a high dose of radiotherapy directly to the tumour from the inside.

You will need to stay, and be cared for, in a single room in hospital for a few days, until the doctor has removed the radioactive needles or wires from your body. Visitors will be restricted and although it will be safe for your family and close friends to visit you for short periods, children and pregnant women will not be allowed to visit. This is to avoid any chance of them being exposed to even tiny amounts of radiation.

The doctors and nurses caring for you will also only be able to stay in your room for short periods at a time. This is because they may be looking after several people having internal radiotherapy treatment and they need to keep their exposure to the low level of radioactivity to a minimum.

The safety measures and visiting restrictions might make you feel isolated, frightened and depressed at a time when you might want people around you. If you have these feelings it’s important that you let the staff looking after you know. It can help to have plenty of reading material and things to keep you occupied while you are in isolation. The isolation only lasts while the radioactive needles or wires are in place (usually 1–8 days). Once they are removed, the radioactivity disappears and it’s perfectly safe to be with other people.

Side effects

While the needles or wires are in place, the tissues around them will become swollen. This usually settles by the time they are removed.

The treated area will become sore about 5–10 days after the needles or wires have been removed and this may last for several weeks. During this time, you may find it easier to eat soft foods|.

While your mouth is sore it will help to avoid:

• smoking
• drinking spirits
• eating hot or spicy foods.

Drinks like milk and water will help to keep your mouth moist. Your doctor can prescribe special mouthwashes and medicines to help to relieve any discomfort.