Radiation therapy for melanoma

How radiation therapy works

Also known as radiotherapy, radiation therapy is the use of targeted radiation to kill or damage cancer cells. Radiation therapy may be offered on its own or with other treatments. It can be used after surgery to stop melanoma coming back. It can also be used to help relieve pain and other symptoms caused by melanoma that has spread – for example, to the brain or bone (palliative treatment).

Before starting treatment, you will have a CT or MRI scan at a planning appointment. The radiation therapist may make some small permanent or temporary marks (tattoos) on your skin so that the same area is targeted during each treatment session. If you are having radiation therapy to the brain, a plastic mask will be custom-made to fit you. It helps keep your head still so that the radiation is targeted at the same area each session. Each treatment session takes about 30 minutes and is usually given daily for 1–4 weeks. For the treatment, you will lie on a table under a machine that aims radiation at the affected part of your body.

In some cases, you may be offered a specialised type of radiation therapy that delivers extremely precise, tightly focused beams of high-dose radiation onto the tumour from many different angles. This is called stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) when used on the brain, and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) when used on other parts of the body. SBRT usually involves 3–5 treatment sessions over 1–2 weeks.

Side effects of radiation therapy

The side effects that you experience will depend on the part of the body that receives radiation therapy, the dose of radiation you receive and how long you have treatment. Many people will have temporary side effects, which may build up over time. Common side effects during or immediately after radiation therapy include tiredness, and the skin in the treatment area becoming red and sore. Ask your treatment team for advice about dealing with any side effects.