Radiation Oncology

What it is

Radiotherapy uses carefully targeted high-energy radiation to treat cancer. It may be used on its own, before or after surgery, or alongside chemotherapy. The most common form is external beam radiotherapy from a machine called a linear accelerator; techniques such as IMRT, VMAT and stereotactic radiotherapy shape the dose to the target. Internal radiotherapy (brachytherapy) is used for some cancers.

Treatment is planned by a radiation oncologist with medical physicists, using a dedicated planning CT scan and sometimes MRI or PET-CT. The number of sessions varies widely, from a single treatment to several weeks of weekday sessions, depending on the cancer, its location and the aim of treatment.

Whether radiotherapy is appropriate, and which technique is used, is decided by the radiation oncologist after reviewing your scans and pathology. Advanced equipment does not in itself make a treatment suitable.

How the pathway is coordinated

1. 01

   Consultation

   You contact a coordinator and describe what you would like reviewed. We explain what we can and cannot do: ELAVIA Global coordinates care and does not give medical advice or treatment.

2. 02

   Review of your records and scans

   With your consent, your reports, imaging and pathology are shared securely with an oncologist at an independent partner clinic. Original scan files or pathology slides may need to be re-reviewed, or some tests repeated.

3. 03

   Plan by the treating oncologist

   The radiation oncologist reviews your imaging and pathology and explains whether radiotherapy is advised and, if so, the general approach. An in-person planning scan is needed before any treatment can be designed.

4. 04

   Treatment at a partner clinic

   If treatment goes ahead at a partner clinic, sessions are delivered by its radiotherapy team according to the approved plan. A course lasting several weeks means a longer stay, which the coordinator helps you plan.

5. 05

   Follow-up

   You receive written reports to take home. Ongoing follow-up is usually arranged with your oncologist at home, and the coordinator helps share records between the teams.

Who it may apply to

• People whose oncologist has recommended radiotherapy and who would like the plan reviewed
• People asking whether a particular technique, such as stereotactic radiotherapy, is relevant to them
• People who have had radiotherapy before, where any further treatment needs careful review of previous doses

These are general examples only. Whether any test or treatment is appropriate is decided by a treating oncologist after examination, imaging and pathology review.

What to prepare

• Your most recent consultation letters and medical reports
• Imaging reports and, where possible, the original scan files (CT, MRI, PET-CT) as a download link or disc
• Pathology and biopsy reports, including any receptor or molecular test results
• A list of treatments received so far, with dates, and your current medication
• Recent blood test results
• If you have had radiotherapy before, the treatment summary with the area treated, the dose and the dates

Send copies and keep your originals. The reviewing team may ask for further records, or for some tests to be repeated.

How cost is confirmed

Cost depends on the diagnosis and treatment plan and is confirmed in a written quote after consultation.

Common questions