Radiotherapy uses radiation to kill cancer cells. It is given using a machine called a linear accelerator that carefully targets high-energy rays at the cancer cells.

Radiotherapy alone will not cure mesothelioma. It is used to slow down the growth of the disease and to help improve symptoms.

You may be given radiotherapy following surgery or after certain procedures such as needle biopsy or the pleural tap.

Your treatment will be carefully planned with you. You may need several visits to prepare for treatment. This will include the use of a special X-ray machine with the same shape and movement as the treatment machine.

To outline the treatment area, the radiographer may need to make one or more tiny permanent marks, each smaller than a pinhead, called tattoos. Later the marks can be removed by laser treatment. Non-permanent marks can be made if tattoos are unacceptable, but then you can not wash the area until treatment is complete.

The rays will be directed at the site of your tumour, and perhaps the surrounding lymph glands, while you lie on a couch beneath the radiotherapy machine.

Your treatment team will decide how much radiation you need.

Each treatment dose will only take a few minutes, and it is painless. You will be left alone in the room whilst it is given. You will need to lie very still. The radiotherapy machine will not touch you.

There are short-term and long-term side-effects from radiotherapy.

Related links
Radiotherapy - general