I have been referred for radiotherapy. What happens next?

You will be asked to attend the radiotherapy department in KGV (King George V) building St Bartholomew’s Hospital for a pre-treatment appointment. To find us, follow the signs to 'lift core A' and take the lift to the basement and report to reception.

When you have radiotherapy, your treatment needs to be planned carefully in order to ensure that the treatment area includes all of the disease and minimises the treatment of healthy tissue.

Depending on the area to be treated, you may be given an appointment for the mould room, CT scanner, or simulator. It may be necessary for you to visit more than one of these areas.

The mould room is where individual immobilisation devices hold you still during treatment. This is neccessary particularly when treating the head or neck. For more information, please click on mould room.

When you arrive, a radiographer will explain what is going to happen - please feel free to ask any questions. You will also be asked to confirm your name, address, date of birth and contact number. You will also be asked to confirm you are happy to go ahead with the radiotherapy. To help with ID procedures, we also take your photograph which is added to your treatment chart.

If necessary, you will be given preparation instructions to follow before imaging (and treatment). Please note, preparation for your planning and treatment often takes longer than the actual treatment.

Treatment planning usually takes place on a CT scanner or simulator. Images are taken of you in the exact (mock-up) treatment position. This is documented so that it can be consistently repeated for treatment. We may also need to take a photograph of your position.

You may already have had a lot of imaging done, including a CT scan, this is necessary to diagnose your condition. Your planning scan will give us a 3D/4D model of you, positioned as you will be treated. Together with the diagnostic imaging they will allow our medical staff to define exactly how to treat you.

When we plan your treatment, we may need to make some tiny, permanent, marks on your skin. This will be done by putting a pinprick of ink under the surface of the skin.

From all the information gathered, your treatment plan will be created. Some treatments require complex computer planning. The amount of time necessary to prepare a treatment plan will vary from patient to patient, depending on what is required to deliver the best treatment. You may be required to return for another visit, prior to treatment, to check the plan.

You will be given your next appointment before you leave the department. Please note, if you have any concerns at all, we will arrange for you to speak to a doctor.