If my cancer has spread, what stage of cancer do I have?
If your cancer has moved to another part of your body, this means you have Stage 4 cancer.
Am I going to die? Will this cancer kill me
When we meet, we’ll talk about the aim of the treatment I recommend. In the past, for most (but not all) types of cancer, having Stage 4 disease meant that the cancer could not be cured. With modern drug treatments and stereotactic radiotherapy, a significant proportion of patients are achieving long-term disease control.
Is there any point in having treatment if you can’t guarantee me a cure
Cancer treatment needs to be personalised to your personal situation, your priorities and current symptoms. I often need to undo a lot of preconceptions about cancer treatment when I meet people for the first time. They remember parents or grandparents who experienced horrible side effects from ineffective treatments. Things have changed considerably! With the best drug treatments, it may be possible to control your cancer for many years. Modern radiotherapy has minimal side effects and can control, or even eradicate, the spots where the cancer has spread. Treatment to control your symptoms will make you feel better and allow you to do more – it may even open doors to other treatments that you may not have been able to access when you were feeling poorly.
What are the side effects of stereotactic radiotherapy?
It’s important to note that while side effects can occur with SABR, they are typically mild and temporary, with most patients experiencing minimal disruption to their daily activities. The frequency and severity of side effects can vary depending on factors such as the size and location of the tumour, the dose of radiation delivered, and your personal health issues. Common mild to moderate side effects, such as fatigue, are generally well-tolerated and manageable with supportive care measures. Before you start treatment, I’ll give you a number that gives you access to support and care 24/7 if you were to be concerned about your symptoms.
Will my hair fall out?
The side effects of radiotherapy are limited to the area of the body that is being treated. If you are not receiving radiotherapy to the head or your brain, you will not lose the hair on your head. There may be some hair thinning or small areas of hair loss if you are having stereotactic radiosurgery for brain metastases.
What if I don’t live in London?
Depending on the treatment you need, it’s possible that the hospital will provide hotel accommodation for you. Alternatively, I work in partnership with some (very nice!) hotels that offer a discounted rate while you are having treatment under my care. I’d remain close contact with your doctors closer to home. I can arrange scans local to you and we can meet by video consultation if you’d prefer.
Do I need to avoid people/my grandchildren while I’m having radiotherapy? Does radiotherapy make me radioactive?
It’s a common misconception that radiotherapy makes you radioactive or a risk to others. Just like having an X-ray, radiation is only present while the radiotherapy machine is on – you don’t carry it out of the room with you.
Does radiotherapy for metastatic cancer hurt?
Radiotherapy itself is painless. You don’t see or feel anything while you are receiving the treatment. If you are having radiotherapy specifically for pain, a proportion of patients will experience a pain flair. Before you start treatment, I’ll ensure that you have pain killers that you might need. This pain flair is temporary. Importantly, you’ll be able to access me at any time and I can see you as often as is needed to address any symptoms.
Will I need chemotherapy?
A combined approach is the best for metastatic cancer. Drug treatments can get around all of the body via the blood stream, so can treat the cancer deposits that we can see as well as microscopic cancer cells that we can’t see on scans. Consolidating the response to drug treatments such as immunotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapies leads to the best outcome.
What is radiotherapy?
Radiotherapy is a treatment that uses high-energy X-rays, to target and destroy cancer cells in your body. It’s a common and effective way to treat cancer, either on its own or alongside other treatments like surgery or medication. Radiotherapy works by damaging the DNA inside the cancer cells, which stops them from growing and spreading. The treatment is carefully planned to focus on the cancer while avoiding as much of the healthy tissue as possible. Radiotherapy is usually painless, and while it may cause some side effects, these are often temporary and manageable. I will work closely with you to make sure the treatment is as effective and comfortable as possible.
Will the radiotherapy damage other organs?
My commitment to you it to offer you the best quality of radiotherapy that is available. I will balance the need to start treatment as quickly as possible, with the time required to produce a first-class radiotherapy treatment plan that minimises the dose to your normal tissues while still targeting the cancer.
How long will each radiotherapy session last?
The length of each treatment session depends on the complexity of the radiotherapy treatment plan and the type of radiotherapy machine. The most straightforward treatments can be given in less than 10 minutes. Stereotactic radiotherapy using CyberKnife or the MR-Linac can take considerably longer, but we can let you know more precisely how long each treatment will take before you attend.
Will I have to stay in hospital overnight?
These treatments are generally given with you staying in your own home and traveling in to hospital for the radiotherapy.
Will I need somebody to come with me, or can I come by myself?
I’d expect you to be able to travel into the hospital by yourself for treatment if your current symptoms allow you to travel independently at the time we meet in clinic. Towards the end of treatment, you may feel more tired, so may want somebody to come with you, but this is different for everybody. You are always welcome to bring a friend or family member to any of your appointments.