During and after treatment

During radiotherapy treatment

How it is given

Radiotherapy is used for treating cancer, but can also be used to treat plantar fibromatosis and other benign (non-cancerous) conditions. The radiotherapy you have will use either low-energy X-rays or electron beams.

Your doctor will decide the amount of radiotherapy you need. This will be split into a course of smaller treatments (fractions) over 2 phases. The first phase will be 5 fractions in 1 week. You'll then have a 6 to 8 week treatment break. In the second phase you'll have another 5 fractions.

Do not put moisturiser on immediately before treatment.

During radiotherapy

You'll be asked to lie in the same position as when your treatment was planned. You’ll be given a lead apron to wear to protect other areas of your body. If you had a customised lead cut-out made, this will be used too.

The radiotherapy machine will be carefully positioned over the treatment area by the radiographers. You might feel a small amount of pressure on your skin. The treatment is painless and you will not feel anything when the machine is switched on.

The radiographers will leave the room while the treatment is being given, but will watch you on closed circuit television (CCTV). If you need help, wave your other hand. The radiographer can stop the treatment and return to the room to help you.

Treatment takes 2 to 8 minutes and it’s important to keep still. When your treatment ends, the radiographers will remove any pen marks on your foot.

Side effects of radiotherapy

The most common side effect of radiotherapy is skin tenderness. This will only affect skin in the treatment area.

Your skin may also:

• become pinker or darker, this may be more difficult to see on black or brown skin
• feel dry or sore
• feel tight

Side effects can last 1 to 3 weeks and may be worse at the end of the second phase of radiotherapy treatment. Speak to the radiographers if you’re worried about side effects.

How to look after your skin

It’s important to look after your skin during treatment and until any skin reactions have settled.

Take care in the sun while having radiotherapy and until any skin reactions have settled. Cover the treated area and use sunscreen with a high SPF.

• Start using moisturiser when you start the radiotherapy and continue to apply moisturiser if your skin becomes red, darker or sore. Your usual moisturiser would be fine. Avoid using moisturiser with sodium lauryl sulphate in.
• Apply moisturiser 2 or 3 times a day, and gently smooth it onto your skin.
• Wash the area gently with warm water and your usual soap or shower gel. Gently pat the skin dry with a soft towel, but do not rub it.
• Avoid activities that cause rubbing against the treatment area. This is because rubbing can irritate the skin and make any skin reactions worse.

You can swim during radiotherapy treatment. Wash the treatment area before and after swimming, and apply moisturiser.

If your skin breaks

If your skin is sore or it breaks, speak to your treatment radiographers.

• Do not apply moisturiser to broken skin.
• Ask about dressings. If a dressing is needed, we recommend non-adhesive ones or dressings made with a suitable adhesive coating.
• Ask about painkillers if your skin is very painful.

After treatment

Follow-up appointments

You will need 2 follow-up appointments.

The first appointment is a phone call with a radiographer 2 weeks after your last radiotherapy treatment. The radiographers will give you the details of this appointment.

The second appointment is with your oncologist 1 year after your last radiotherapy treatment. You will need to book this appointment. The radiographers will tell you how to book this appointment.