Radiotherapy Treatment

Radiotherapy is more commonly used to treat cancers of the rectum and is usually given before surgery, but can also be used after surgery if the cancer was difficult to remove. It can also be used for advanced cancers to slow down the progress of the disease and relieve pain and other symptoms. Radiotherapy may also be used in anal cancer.

Sir-Spheres (Selective Internal Radiation Therapy - SIRT)

This treatment delivers millions of small radioactive beads directly into liver tumours. This a relatively new treatment, being granted approval in the United States and Europe since 2002.

When used with chemotherapy, studies have shown that SIR-spheres can reduce liver tumours with the aim of increasing life expectancy and/or improving quality of life and occasionally reduce tumours enough to enable surgical removal. This treatment is not usually available on the NHS but may be available as part of a clinical trial or by making an application to a primary care trust (PCT) through the interim Cancer Drugs Fund.