Planning visits

Your radiographers will take X-rays and measurements using a machine called a simulator. It looks and moves like a treatment machine, but it is used only for planning.

You may also have a CT scan. This is a type of X-ray that creates detailed pictures of the inside of your body. All of this information is used to make a treatment plan for you.

Usually your radiographers will make some marks on your skin to outline the treatment area. Then, when you come for radiotherapy, they use the marks to put you in exactly the right position.

Many patients have tiny permanent marks made on their skin. You can barely see them, but you can normally have them removed by laser later on, if you wish.

If you don't have the permanent marks, your skin will be marked with a special ink pen. Don't wash these marks off until your radiographers tell you it's OK to do so. You will need to leave them on until your radiotherapy is finished.

The radiotherapy team makes a treatment plan tailored to each patient's needs.

The final part of your treatment planning may be a dummy run, or verification session. This is where your radiographers go through your treatment plan to check that all the measurements are correct and take any extra X-rays, if needed. You lie on a treatment couch while they do this.

In some hospitals the dummy run and the start of treatment are on the same day.

Mould room

You may need to wear a shield or shell during your radiotherapy, to keep you in the right position or to protect parts of your body around the treatment area. If you do, you will visit the mould room so the staff there can make the shield or shell.

You are likely to have one of the following devices made in the mould room.

Beam directional shell

Your beam directional shell keeps you in the right position while you have your radiotherapy treatment. You wear it for just a short time at each session. Technicians in the mould room make the shell. It is made of thin, clear, lightweight plastic. The technicians mould it to fit over the part of your body that must be kept still. Later your radiographers put marks on the shell so they know exactly which part of your body to treat.

You will come to the mould room, usually for three visits, so that the technicians can make your shell. When you arrive they will explain what they are going to do, and answer any questions you have. They take an impression of part of your body, usually with plaster of Paris bandages. It doesn’t hurt, but it can be a bit messy. It is best to wear old clothes.

If your head or neck is going to be treated, the finished shell will have holes in it so that you can breathe easily. Your mouth and nostrils are left uncovered while your shell is made.

Your first visit to the mould room is likely to last about 30 minutes. The second could take up to an hour. The third visit takes about 15-20 minutes. These times are approximate, and may vary.

When your shell is ready you will be able to come back for treatment planning.

Shielding mask

Your shielding mask makes sure that the X-rays reach only the parts of your body that need treatment. It protects the nearby parts from radiation. You wear the mask for just a short time while you have your radiotherapy treatment. Technicians in the mould room make the mask.

It is made of thin, clear, lightweight plastic. The technicians mould it to fit the part of your body being treated. Then they make a metal shield to fit on top of it. Later, your radiographers make marks on the mask so they know exactly which part of your body to treat.

Before the technicians can make your mask they need to take an impression of part of your body. They usually do it with plaster of Paris bandages, and this is why you will visit the mould room. One visit should be enough, although afterwards it may take a few days to make the mask. It doesn’t hurt, but it can be a bit messy. It is best to wear old clothes.

When you arrive the mould room staff will explain what they are going to do, and answer any questions you have.

Your visit is likely to last about an hour but it could take up to half a day, so make sure you allow plenty of time.