Having SRT treatment

Stereotactic radiotherapy to the brain

Starting your treatment

When you arrive for your appointment, please book in at reception in the Radiotherapy Village on Level R.

We will show you to a cubicle where you can change into a gown.

When you are ready, we will take you into the treatment room. You will need to lie on the scanning table. It will be set up with the same equipment as when you had your CT scan.

Image of SRT treatment machine

We will fit your mask over your face and secure it in place.

The lights will be dimmed. This is so the radiographers can see the room lasers to make sure you are in the correct position. Try to stay still, relax and breathe normally.

The radiotherapy machine is called a linear accelerator, often referred to as a linac. You will hear the machine move around you. It will come close to you but will not touch you. You will hear radiographers taking various measurements and feel the bed moving.

To make sure you are in the right position before your treatment, we use a piece of equipment called AlignRT. It also makes sure you are in the right position every time you have radiotherapy treatment. Once you are in the right position, the radiographers will leave the room.

You will hear a buzzing sound which is the door safety interlock. You will be alone in the room during your treatment but the radiographers will be watching you all the time on CCTV.

We will take X-ray images during your treatment to make sure that the treatment is being delivered accurately. There will be a short delay while these images are checked. You might feel the bed move as the radiographers adjust its position from outside of the room.

Once treatment starts, the machine will move around you to treat you from different angles. It will take about 1 hour.

When treatment has finished, the radiographers will come back in to the room. They will remove your mask.

The treatment table will be quite high up so you should wait until the radiographers tell you it is safe to get off the table.

After your treatment

The radiographer will talk to you about what to expect and how to look after yourself after your treatment. They will make sure you have the correct medicine to take home with you.

You can then go home. You shouldn’t fell unwell, but we do recommend that you have a responsible adult to travel home with you.

Driving

There are some medical conditions that can affect your driving. If your doctor has told you that you should not drive you must tell the DVLA.

You can find more information on the GOV.UK website. 

The Brain Tumour Charity also has useful information and support for those who need to surrender their driving licences.

Washing

It is important to keep the treatment area clean. Shower or bathe using lukewarm water and use your usual shampoo. Use a soft towel to gently pat the skin dry. Do not rub.

Swimming

Reduce the number of times you swim in chlorinated water as this can have a drying effect on the skin. After swimming, shower to remove excess chlorine. Stop swimming if the skin becomes sore.

Side effects of SRT treatment

Read more about the possible side effects from having SRT treatment.

Further supplies of your medicines

Prescriptions are now prescribed electronically. You will need to collect your medicines from our Guy's Pharmacy department so you have them ready to take from the morning of your first treatment.

Guys' Pharmacy location: ground floor, Tower Wing, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT. Phone: 020 7357 7583

GPs are now able to access your prescription from the London Care Record if you need further supplies. 

Anyone with a cancer diagnosis is entitled to free prescriptions. You will need a medical exemption card. You can get an application form from your GP, the oncology outpatient department, or from Dimbleby Cancer Care on the ground floor.

At the end of your treatment

On the last day of treatment, you will be given a treatment completion form which summarises your treatment. We will also send a copy to your GP.

Follow-up

The stereotactic radiographer will call you 2 weeks after your treatment has finished to ask how you are.

After 6 weeks, an oncology consultant or a member of their team will call you to check how you are.

Radiotherapy takes time to work. It is important that your doctor assesses you, discusses your progress and any side effects with you.

If you have any concerns about your side effects, please contact one of the stereotactic radiographers. The number is in the Contact us box.

After your oncology consultant has called you, your care will continue under the hospital or department that you were referred from.

Improving our service

To help improve treatments and services, we regularly carry out audits. This can involve using patient notes. Any data collected will be confidential and all personal and identifiable details will be removed.

Please let your consultant know if you would prefer that your notes are not seen, and we will respect your wishes.

Clinical trials are undertaken within the department and you might be eligible to take part in. If necessary and appropriate, your doctor will discuss this with you.

Resource number: 4459/VER4
Published date: March 2024
Review date: March 2027

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