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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 the normal cells. It is sometimes used to treat seminoma but not usually to treat teratoma.
Radiotherapy may be given to men with seminoma either to prevent the cancer coming back after surgery or to treat any cancer cells that have spread to the lymph nodes at the back of the abdomen.
The treatment is normally given in the hospital radiotherapy department as a series of short daily sessions. The treatments are usually given from Monday to Friday as an outpatient, with a rest at the weekend. Each treatment takes 10–15 minutes. Your doctor will discuss the treatment and possible side effects with you.
External radiotherapy does not make you radioactive and it is perfectly safe for you to be with other people, including children, after your treatment.
Radiotherapy has to be carefully planned to make sure that it is as effective as possible.
On your first visit to the radiotherapy department, you will be asked to have a CT scan or lie under a machine called a simulator, which takes x-rays of the area to be treated. The treatment is planned by a clinical oncologist. Planning is a very important part of radiotherapy and may take a few visits.
The radiographer, who gives you your treatment, will draw marks on your skin to help position you accurately and to show where the rays are to be directed. These marks must stay throughout your treatment, and permanent marks (like tiny tattoos) may be used. The marks are very small and will only be done with your permission.
Before each session of radiotherapy, the radiographer will position you carefully on the couch, and make sure you are comfortable. During your treatment, which only takes a few minutes, you will be left alone in the room but you will be able to talk to the radiographer who will be watching you from the next room. Radiotherapy is not painful but you do have to lie still for a few minutes while the treatment is being given.
Radiotherapy to the abdomen can cause side effects such as reddening and soreness of the skin in the treated area, feeling sick (nausea), diarrhoea and tiredness.
These side effects gradually disappear once your course of treatment has finished. The tiredness may continue for some months.
Perfumed soaps, creams or deodorants may irritate the skin and should not be used during the treatment. At the beginning of your treatment you will be given advice on how to look after the skin in the area being treated.
Anti-sickness tablets (anti-emetics) may be given at the start of radiotherapy.
It is important to let your doctor know if you are having any problems. Most of the side effects are mild and can be treated successfully with medicines. The side effects should gradually disappear once your course of treatment is over.
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