Radiotherapy equipment is very complex and takes up a lot of space, as well as support from specially trained staff, so radiotherapy departments tend to be 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 radiotherapy.

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 section is fairly general, and will apply to most departments, you may find that there are some differences at the hospital where you are treated.

You can usually have external radiotherapy as an outpatient, but if you are unwell, or having chemotherapy at the same time, you may need to stay in hospital and will be taken to the radiotherapy department each day from the ward. If you are having internal radiotherapy, you may have to stay in hospital for a few days.