Types of Radiotherapy

There are two main types of Radiotherapy that we deliver at UHD, external and internal radiotherapy.

External Beam radiotherapy

This is the most common type of radiotherapy that we deliver. The therapeutic radiographers operate a machine called a linear accelerator (linac) to deliver high energy therapeutic x-rays to a precise target area.​

We have 4 linacs delivering external beam radiotherapy. They are all named after local landmarks​:

• Shell Bay​
• Furzey​
• Chesil​
• West Bay (Dorset County Hospital)​

We also have 1 superficial machine which we use to treat mainly superficial skin conditions. This machine is named​

• Durdle​​

To find out more about external beam radiotherapy click here.

Internal Radiotherapy, called Brachytherapy

Radiation is delivered by placing radiation sources inside the body for a set period of time. This type of treatment is used to treat some types of prostate and gynaecological cancer at UHD. It can be used instead of, or in combination with external beam radiotherapy. To find out more about Brachytherapy click here.