Radiotherapy

Our Services

Rationale

Radiotherapy is the medical use of ionizing radiation, generally as part of cancer treatment to control or eradicate malignant cells. The aim of radiotherapy is to deliver a high dose of radiation to the tumour area and minimize the dose to normal surrounding tissues in an attempt to reduce side effects. Radiotherapy is a localized treatment and affects cancer cells only in the treated area. Radiotherapy is planned on an individual basis and is usually delivered over a number of sessions. It may be used as a curative treatment, also known as radical treatment, with the aim of destroying a tumour, or as a palliative treatment, when a curative intent is not possible. The aim of palliative radiotherapy is to relieve symptoms such as pain. Radiotherapy is delivered by radiotherapy Radiographers at the Radiotherapy Department within Sir Anthony Mamo Oncology Centre.

 Eligibility and Referral

The person who fulfils the eligibility criteria to benefit from this service can be referred by a Clinical Consultant Oncologist (CCO) within the Department of Health.

All Maltese citizens and foreign patients are eligible for treatment upon presentation of the necessary documentation showing that they are entitled for free treatment. Individuals who are not eligible for free treatment will be required to settle a payment for each service provided, at the Billing’s Office at Mater Dei Hospital.

 Required Documents

 ·         I.D card or passport (all patients);

​Foreign patients will be given an entitlement form on presentation of their last payslip or marriage certificate.

​Procedure

​Once a patient is referred for Oncology, he/she is seen by the Consultant Clinical Oncologist (CCO). If the patient requires radiotherapy, a planning CT-Scan is requested online via ISoft. The patient will then receive a telephone call from the Radiographers with the planning CT-Scan date and any instructions he/she must follow. On the day of the scan, the Radiographers will explain the procedure of the scanning process to the patient and prepare for the scan.

For the planning CT-scan the patient is positioned according to the treatment site. This position has to be comfortable for the patient to ensure it can be reproduced daily during the whole course of radiotherapy. At the end of the CT-scan, small permanent markers are tattooed onto the patient so as to ensure reproducibility of set-up during the treatment. In regards to head and neck patients a custom made thermoplastic mask is created during the CT-scan which is to be used during radiotherapy treatment. These markers will serve as reference points to locate the exact site of treatment. After the CT-scan session the patient is sent home and will be contacted by telephone, once the planning process is complete to start radiotherapy.

Planning the Radiotherapy Treatment

The CT-scan images are used by the CCO to mark the treatment area. A radiotherapy plan is created with a prescribed radiation dose based on the treatment volume. This is performed by the Department of Medical Physics. Once the plan is approved by the CCO, the file is checked by the Radiographers working at the Record and Verification station, and an appointment is booked.

Delivery of Treatment

The duration of radiotherapy may vary according to the specific patient case. In general, this may take up from one day to six weeks. Radiotherapy is delivered daily from Monday to Friday excluding Public Holidays.

Patient Management and Review

During the course of treatment, the patient encounters the treatment Radiographers on the unit (Linear Accelerator) daily who will assess the patient’s well-being. In addition, patients are given a weekly or fortnightly appointment, with either the Radiotherapy Focal Nurses or Review Radiographers or CCO, at the review clinic. The purpose of this clinic is to assess and manage any treatment related side effects that the patient might experience.

Follow-up

At the end of the radiotherapy course, the patient is given a follow-up appointment by the Oncology Outpatient Department during which the CCO who will assess the treatment outcome and discuss the way forward.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: How long is each session of radiotherapy?

Answer. Generally the actual radiation treatment takes an average of 20 minutes, however, in some cases; additional time might be required for preparation and set-up.

Question: For how long do I have to attend for my radiotherapy treatment?

Answer: The duration of radiotherapy may vary according to the specific patient case. In general, this may take up from one day to six weeks.  

Question: When do I have to attend?

Answer: Radiotherapy is delivered daily from Monday to Friday excluding Public Holidays. 

Question: Is radiotherapy painful?

Answer: You should not experience any pain during radiotherapy treatment.

Question: Will I experience any side effects?

Answer: Some side effects are to be expected depending on the treatment area. These will be explained to you prior to starting treatment by the CCO and are assessed and managed by Review Radiographers and Radiotherapy Focal Nurses.

Question: Where is this service available?

Answer: This service is delivered at the Radiotherapy Department, level -1, within Sir Anthony Mamo Oncology Centre, opposite Mater Dei Hospital. Unfortunately, this service is currently not available at Gozo General Hospital.