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Radiotherapy is sometimes chosen over surgery for small tumours on the eyelids, nose, lips and ears, or if the SCC is too large for surgery. It may also be used for those unfit for surgery because of another medical condition.
It can also be used after surgery, to try to make sure any remaining cancer cells are killed. Radiotherapy is also used to relieve symptoms when SCC has spread to other parts of the body.
Radiotherapy uses X-rays to kill cancer cells. It is painless. It is given using a machine that carefully targets high-energy rays at the cancer cells.
Your treatment will be carefully planned with you. You may need one or more visits to the Radiotherapy Department to prepare for treatment. A special metal shield may need to be made. The shield allows the X-rays to reach the SCC while protecting the surrounding normal skin.
The X-rays will be directed at the site of your tumour, and perhaps the surrounding lymph glands, while you lie on a couch beneath the radiotherapy machine.
We have more information on radiotherapy in our treatments section.
