Radiotherapy services

Radiotherapy uses radiation in the form of high energy x-rays to treat cancer.  It destroys cancer cells in the area where the radiotherapy is given.  Radiation is carefully measured and is usually given in small doses over a prescribed number of days, it is delivered by therapeutic Radiographers. 

Please be assured that you will not feel anything whilst undergoing radiotherapy treatment it does not make you radioactive and you can safely mix with other people, including children. 

It is important to let your consultant, or our team know if you are or could be pregnant and/or if you have a pacemaker or any other implanted device. 

What we offer

A photo of a radiotherapy scanner which looks like a large donut with a bed in the middle in a clinical room. All patients undergoing treatment across the Trust will receive their Radiotherapy in the department at Southend Hospital.

It is situated in the Centre for Clinical Oncology, on the ground floor of the Hillborough building in the green zone. 

Referral to our service is made by a specialist consultant clinical oncologist. We deliver around 30,000 doses of radiotherapy treatment each year to approximately 2,500 patients across mid and south Essex.

Patient pathway

Planning

The planning process begins with a visit to the radiotherapy CT department at Southend Hospital. This is the first step in creating a unique plan for the patient.

Radiotherapy CT scanner

The Radiotherapy CT (Computerised Tomography) is a specially designed scanner which provides a series of images from which the treatment is planned. This is to ensure that the intended treatment area is targeted accurately and precisely, and as much normal tissue as possible is protected from the high doses of radiation. 

As a part of this, the patient may need a visit to the mould room, where various personalised accessories are produced

Treatment planning

Specialist staff in the physics department are responsible for putting together the plan for treating the patient with radiation.  They look at the CT scan, and the size and placement of the tumour(s) and calculate the amount of radiation required, avoiding sensitive healthy organs.

Patient’s treatment will start within for weeks of the CT scan.

Planning the radiotherapy treatment

The planning process begins with a visit to the radiotherapy planning department at Southend University Hospital. This is the first step in creating a unique plan for you.

Everyone’s treatment plan is individually produced by a team of expert staff. It is planned accurately and safely and may take various lengths of time to produce.

As a part of this, you may need a visit to the mould room, where various personalised accessories are produced

Radiotherapy CT (Computerised Tomography) scanner

The Radiotherapy CT (Computerised Tomography) is a specially designed scanner which provides a series of images from which your treatment is planned. Radiotherapy has to be carefully planned before it can be given. This is to ensure that the intended treatment area is targeted accurately and precisely, and as much normal tissue as possible is protected from the high doses of radiation. 

 

Brachytherapy

High does rate brachytherapy is a form of radiation treatment which uses a sealed radioactive source to deliver a precise, high dose of radiation whilst keeping radiation doses to normal tissue to a minimum.

Contact us

Radiotherapy reception — call 0300 443 6661.

Macmillan information and support centre, Southend University Hospital — call 0300 443 3034.

Oncology outpatient reception: 0300 443 5881.

Oncology outpatient nurses: 0300 443 0109.

Macmillan cancer support: Freephone 0808 808 0000.

You can go to Macmillian's cancer support website here: www.macmillan.org.uk.