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Radiotherapy| treats cancer by using high-energy rays which destroy the cancer cells, while doing as little harm as possible to normal cells.
Radiotherapy treats cancer by using high-energy rays that destroy the cancer cells, while doing as little harm as possible to normal cells. Radiotherapy is occasionally given to the head as part of CNS-directed therapy|. The course of treatment is given in the hospital radiotherapy department, usually in 8-10 sessions (fractions) over two weeks. The treatment is given on weekdays with a rest at the weekend. Your doctor will discuss your treatment with you in detail beforehand.
If you need to have high-dose treatment| with stem cell support you may have a special form of radiotherapy called total body irradiation (TBI). This is where radiotherapy is given to the whole body to destroy the leukaemic bone marrow cells.
For answers, support or just a chat, call the Macmillan Support Line free (Monday to Friday, 9am-8pm)
If you have any questions about cancer, need support or just want someone to talk to, ask Macmillan.