Radiotherapy is a painless treatment. It is used to target cancers (and some benign conditions).

It works by using high energy radiation to penetrate & destroy cells within an accurately planned area, such as a tumour. In some cases, where there is no tumour present, it can be used to reduce the risk of cancer returning.

Treatments are delivered over a number of days (fractions). Normal cells have the ability to repair, but abnormal cells such as cancer cells are destroyed over time. Rest days are built into the course to enable healthy cells to recover.

Radiation dose is prescribed to a precisely targeted area. The plan is specific to each patient. There are many different treatment schedules. The number of treatments required will be guided the type of cancer that you have and will be discussed with you.

Why is Radiotherapy Used?​

Radiotherapy is often given alongside other forms of cancer treatment such as chemotherapy, hormone therapy, surgery and immunotherapy. It can also be given alone.

We can use radiotherapy to:​

• Prevent recurring cancer or cure cancer (radical radiotherapy)​
• Control (slow down) the growth of cancer​
• Relieve the symptoms of cancer (palliative radiotherapy)​

Your Oncologist will discuss the intended outcome, risks and benefits with you before you sign a consent form.

Poole Hospital Radiotherapy Department​
Pink Zone, Level Minus 2,
Longfleet Road​
Poole​
BH15 2JB​

Map of Department

The Robert White Radiotherapy Centre (RWRC)​
Robert White Building,​​
Dorset County Hospital​​
Williams Avenue Dorchester​​
Dorset​​
DT1 2JY​

The department is situated on the ground floor of the stand alone Robert White Building, at the back of the north wing of the main hospital.

Some common terms you may hear:

CBCT - Cone Beam Computerised Tomography - On treatment imaging prior to the administration of radiation, these are not diagnostic images. They are confirmation images and assist us in achieving a precise accurate treatment every time.

CT – Computerised Tomography - prior to radiotherapy we will use images taken from the CT planning scanner to create the targeted treatment plan.​

DIBH - Deep Inspiration Breath Hold - Some patients, not all, may need to hold their breathe for up to 20 seconds due to the changes breathing has internally. There are many reasons for this, reducing irradiation of surrounding organs and optimising treatment is usually the most common. You will be told if you need to do this prior to your pre treatment CT scan.​

DORAH - Department of Radiotherapy Advice and Help Line - A non-urgent Support and help line. Available Monday-Friday for queries specific to radiotherapy, 0300 019 2481​<./p>

EBRT - External Beam Radiotherapy - This is a method of how radiation can be administered to the patient. Radiation is exposed from a source outside of the body via an X-Ray beam from appropriate machinery such as a linear accelerator.

IGRT - Image Guided Radiotherapy - Radiotherapy planning and treatment is guided by the information from imaging scans, such as CBCT and CT scans.

Linac - Linear Accelerator - The expert machinery used to deliver radiation at the control of therapeutic radiographers.

MDT - Multi-Disciplinary Team – A team of professionals with varied expertise and knowledge all working in unison for the desired outcome for you.

QA - Quality Assurance - Standards and procedures met by staff to ensure all aspects of radiotherapy machinery is operating as it is required and expected to.​

Review Appointment - Review appointments are in place to support patients and aid the direction of their care, tracking treatment progress, your wellbeing and working with the you to better your radiotherapy treatment process where appropriate.

RWRC - Robert White Radiotherapy Centre - This is the name of our Dorchester Satellite Department, funded from the generosity of Robert White.

SGRT - Surface Guided Radiotherapy - An advanced form of technology that has eliminated the need for tattoos and provides real time tracking of your position, breathing and moving. This technology also aids in replicating the exact position you were in during their pretreatment planning CT scan.​

SXR - Superficial Radiotherapy - Superficial radiotherapy is radiotherapy delivered to tumours or lesions that are closer to the surface of the skin and uses lower energy radiation.

UHD - University Hospitals Dorset​