During and after treatment

During radiotherapy treatment

How it is given

Radiotherapy is used for treating cancer, but can also be used in the early stages of palmar fibromatosis and other benign conditions. The radiotherapy you have will use low-energy X-rays.

Your doctor will decide the amount of radiotherapy you will have. This will be split into a course of smaller treatments (fractions) over 2 phases. The first phase you will have 5 fractions over 1 week. You will then have a 6 to 8 week treatment break. In the second phase you will have another 5 fractions.

What to expect 

You will be asked to put your hand in the same position as when your treatment was planned. You’ll be given a lead apron to wear to protect other areas of your body. If you had a customised lead cut-out made, this will be used.

The radiotherapy machine will be carefully positioned over the treatment area by the radiographers. You might feel a small amount of pressure on your skin. The treatment is painless and you will not feel anything when the machine is switched on.

The radiographers will leave the room while the treatment is being given, but will watch you on closed circuit television. If you need help, wave your other hand. The radiographer can stop the treatment and return to the room to help you.

Treatment takes 2 to 8 minutes and it’s important to keep still. When your treatment ends, the radiographers will remove any pen marks on your hand.

Side effects of radiotherapy

The most common side effect of radiotherapy is skin tenderness. This will only affect skin in the treatment area.

Your skin may also:

• become pinker or darker, this might be more difficult to see on darker skin
• feel dry or sore
• feel tight

Side effects can last 1 to 3 weeks and may be worse at the end of the second phase of radiotherapy treatment. Speak to the radiographers if you’re worried about side effects.  

How to look after your skin

It’s important to look after your skin during treatment and until any skin reactions have settled.

Take care in the sun while having radiotherapy and until any skin reactions have settled. Cover the treated area and use sunscreen with a high SPF.

• Start using moisturiser when you start the radiotherapy and continue to apply moisturiser if your skin becomes red, darker or sore. Your usual moisturiser would be fine. Avoid using moisturiser with sodium lauryl sulphate in.
• Apply moisturiser 2 or 3 times a day, and gently smooth it onto your skin. Do not put moisturiser on immediately before treatment.
• Wash the area gently with warm water and your usual soap or shower gel. Gently pat the skin dry with a soft towel, do not rub it.
• Avoid activities that cause rubbing against the treatment area, such as cycling, lawn mowing, and weightlifting. This is because rubbing can irritate the skin and make any skin reactions worse. Use padded gloves for activities that may cause rubbing against the treatment area, such as gardening or cooking.

You can swim during radiotherapy treatment. Wash the treatment area before and after swimming, and apply moisturiser.

If your skin breaks

If your skin is sore or it breaks, speak to your treatment radiographers.

• Do not apply moisturiser to the treatment area.
• Ask about dressings. If a dressing is needed, we recommend non-adhesive ones or dressings made with a suitable adhesive coating.
• Ask about painkillers if your skin is very painful.

After treatment

Follow-up appointments

The radiographer will give you instructions at your planning appointment or on the first day of treatment. You will need 2 follow-up appointments.

The first appointment is a telephone call with a radiographer 2 weeks after your last radiotherapy treatment. This appointment will be booked for you and the date and time given to you by the radiographers.

The second appointment is with your oncologist 1 year after your last radiotherapy treatment. You will need to book the appointment. The radiographers will tell you how to book this appointment.