What should you know about liver radiotherapy?

A radiotherapy team uses scans to map the tumour and nearby organs. Planning aims to deliver radiation to the intended target while limiting exposure to healthy liver and surrounding tissues. Treatment may be delivered from outside the body, and some specialist approaches place radioactive material close to or within a target area.

The purpose may be to control a liver tumour, reduce symptoms, or treat disease as part of a wider cancer plan. The exact method depends on whether the cancer started in the liver or spread from elsewhere, the number and position of tumours, and how well the liver is working.

Your team may arrange planning scans, blood tests, and a review of medicines before treatment. Ask how many visits are expected, whether you need someone to accompany you, and which activities or medicines need adjustment. Fatigue, nausea, skin changes, or discomfort can occur, although effects vary with the technique and treatment area.

Keep a record of symptoms and follow the team's instructions about food, medicines, and appointments. Radiotherapy can be used alongside other cancer treatments; the team will explain how it fits with care for cancers such as Breast Cancer, Bowel Cancer, or Brain Tumour.

Contact the treatment team promptly if you cannot keep fluids down, develop worsening yellowing of the skin or eyes, unusual bleeding, fever, severe abdominal pain, or rapidly increasing weakness. Seek urgent help for collapse, severe breathing difficulty, or sudden confusion.

Ask what the radiotherapy is intended to achieve, which area will be treated, how healthy liver will be protected, and what side effects need a same-day call. Ask how response will be checked and how radiotherapy coordinates with your other treatments.