Radiotherapy for children

Radiotherapy is a painless treatment using high-energy X-rays that go deep inside the body to kill cancer cells.  It may be given:

• To cure  
  
  Some treatment protocols may include a course of radiotherapy to shrink a tumour before surgery or to kill any cancer cells that remain after surgery to stop cancer spreading and cure the disease. 
• To irradiate the whole body (total body irradiation) 
  
  This form of radiotherapy is often given to children who are having a bone marrow transplant. 

•  To relieve symptoms (palliative) 

  Radiotherapy may also be given to relieve symptoms of the disease. Often a short course, sometimes only a single treatment, is needed.

Everyone’s treatment is different and individually planned. 

The dose of radiation your child needs will be decided and divided up into a number of treatment sessions. Treatment could last up to 6 weeks. 

Radiotherapy is usually given as one session each day for 5 days, with a rest at the weekend. 

Any side-effects tend to affect the area being treated. How severe these side-effects are will vary from person to person, depending on the amount of treatment received. 

Most side-effects develop during or shortly after treatment and get better within a few weeks. Late side-effects may develop some time after treatment. Some side-effects are long-term or may even be permanent. They may include:

• Fatigue (extreme tiredness): Your child may feel very tired during treatment and for a few weeks afterwards. It may take a few months until your child’s energy levels get back to normal.
• Nausea and vomiting: Radiotherapy to the brain or the tummy area can cause nausea and vomiting. It can also  sometimes lead to loss of appetite and weight loss. Your child's doctor and dietitian can advise and help with this.
• Skin reaction in the treated area: The skin the treated area may become red and sore or itchy. The radiotherapy staff will give advice about skin care.

This is a type of radiotherapy that uses protons instead of X-rays to treat tumours. It does not improve the chance of cure, but it might reduce the risk of long-term side-effects.

It is not available in Ireland, but the HSE funds proton therapy in Essen in Germany for patients that are most likely to benefit from this option. Ask the medical social worker about charities and groups who may be able to support your family if your child is having this type of treatment.

Usually children have radiotherapy every week day with a break at the weekend. 

For most children there is no need to stay in hospital when they’re having radiotherapy. This means you may need to travel to the hospital every day or stay overnight in Dublin if you live too far away. This can be tiring and or expensive. 

If you are travelling to the hospital from your home every day or paying for accommodation, ask the medical social worker about applying for the Travel2Care grant and our Children’s Fund.