Which specialist performs palliative radiotherapy?

Palliative radiotherapy uses carefully planned radiation to ease symptoms caused by cancer, such as pain, bleeding, pressure, or difficulty caused by a tumour. The radiation oncologist reviews scans and your symptoms, chooses the treatment area and dose, and explains likely benefits and side effects. A planning team positions you, maps the target, checks treatment calculations, and delivers each session.

The aim is symptom relief and preservation of comfort or function, rather than an operation to remove the tumour. Treatment may be arranged with pain specialists, palliative medicine, medical oncology, nursing, and rehabilitation services. Your other treatments and the location of the cancer affect the plan.

Tell the radiation oncologist about previous radiotherapy, implanted devices, pregnancy or possible pregnancy, medicines, allergies, and symptoms that are changing. Describe your pain or other problem in practical terms, including what you can no longer do. Ask how many visits are planned, whether you need help travelling, how to care for the treated skin, and which medicines to take on treatment days. Keep your oncology and palliative teams informed so symptom relief is coordinated.

Contact the oncology team urgently for new weakness or numbness, loss of bladder or bowel control, severe headache with vomiting, sudden confusion, uncontrolled bleeding, or rapidly worsening pain. Seek emergency care for severe breathlessness, chest pain, collapse, or a seizure. During treatment, report repeated vomiting, inability to drink, fever, or a new severe skin reaction rather than waiting for the next visit.

Ask: What symptom is this treatment intended to relieve? How soon might relief begin? How will the target be protected? What side effects should I report? Can I continue other cancer medicines? Who should I call outside treatment hours?