Another type of brachytherapy uses small, hollow, plastic tubes that are inserted into the tumour during an operation. If the tumour is in the womb, cervix or vagina the plastic tubes will be placed into the vagina. The tubes are then attached to a machine called a Selectron, which feeds tiny radioactive metal balls into the tubes to deliver the radiotherapy to the area. After the treatment, the radioactive balls go back into the machine and the hollow tubes are removed. If you have any concerns or worries about having radiotherapy in this way, please discuss them with your doctor before agreeing to have treatment.

Sometimes internal radiotherapy is given as a liquid drink, or as a fluid given into the vein.

Your specialist will discuss your particular treatment with you.

When you have internal radiotherapy, you may need to stay in hospital for a few days until the radioactive material has been removed from your body, or until the radioactive liquid has gone from your body.

Due to the possibility of other people being exposed unnecessarily to the radiation, you may need to be looked after in a single room and certain safety measures may need to be followed. Staff and relatives may only spend a limited time with you, and pregnant women or children will not be allowed to visit. The safety measures and visiting restrictions might make you feel very isolated, frightened and depressed at a time when you might want people around you. If you have these feelings it is important that you let the staff looking after you know. It might also be helpful to take in things to keep you occupied whilst you are in isolation, such as reading material or tapes to listen to. The isolation only lasts while the radioactive metal is in place, or the radioactivity from the liquid is still present. Once the radioactive material has been removed or the liquid has gone from your body, you are no longer radioactive and it is perfectly safe to be with other people.

One common side effect of treatment is tiredness. You may feel very tired while you are having radiotherapy and for some time afterwards. It is important to get as much rest as you can, especially if you have to travel a long way for treatment each day.

Radiotherapy usually makes the skin in the treated area darker or reddened. It may make the skin sore. Radiotherapy will only cause hair loss if it is given to a party of body that has hair. For example, you will only lose the hair on your head if radiotherapy is given to treat a brain tumour.

CancerBACUP can provide you with information in English on other side effects that you may experience.

The following tips can help you to cope with radiotherapy.

• If you are tired, allow yourself to rest and plan your day so that you do not overdo things.
• Try to maintain a healthy diet. You may need to eat little and often and snack during the day. Very spicy foods, such as chillies, may irritate a sore mouth.
• If you cannot eat solid food, or are losing weight, ask your specialist for nutritious drinks to replace or supplement your meals.
• If you have diarrhoea following radiotherapy it is helpful to speak to your doctor or a dietitian. Your doctor can prescribe anti-diarrhoea medicines.
• Drink plenty of fluids (at least two pints a day) – water, tea, herbal teas and squashes will not irritate your mouth.
• If you are having external radiotherapy, do not use any creams or perfumed soaps on the treated area and protect it from the sun for a year.
• If you get skin soreness in the treated area, talk to the radiotherapy staff who can give you special creams to use.
• If your skin is sore, wear loose-fitting clothing made of natural fibres, such as cotton.

In men the sperm count may be reduced. The opportunity to store sperm will be offered if this effect is likely to be permanent. It is important to discuss fertility with your doctor before starting treatment. Radiotherapy to the pelvic area in men may also cause the inability to have an erection, which may develop some months or years after the radiotherapy has finished.