Also known as radiotherapy, this treatment uses a controlled dose of radiation, such as focused x-ray beams, to kill or damage cancer cells. The radiation is targeted at the cancer and treatment is carefully planned to do as little harm as possible to healthy body tissue near the cancer.
Learn more about:
- How it is given
- Side effects of radiation therapy
- What is chemoradiation?
- Video: What is radiation therapy?
How it is given
Radiation therapy may be given alone or combined with chemotherapy (chemoradiation). It is commonly used before surgery to shrink large tumours and destroy any cancer cells that may have spread. In this case, there will be a break of one to two months between radiation therapy and surgery to allow the treatment to have its full effect. Radiation therapy, with or without chemotherapy, is also used as the main treatment for oesophageal cancer that has not spread to other parts of the body and cannot be removed surgically.
Before starting treatment, you will have a planning appointment that will include a CT scan. The radiation therapy team will use the images from the scan to plan your treatments. The technician may make some small permanent tattoos or temporary marks on your skin so that the same area is targeted during each treatment session.
You will usually have treatment as an outpatient once a day, Monday to Friday, for 4–5 weeks. If radiation therapy is used palliatively, you may have a short course of 1–10 sessions. Each treatment takes about 20 minutes and is not painful. You will lie on a table under a machine that delivers radiation to the affected parts of your body. Your doctor will advise you about your treatment schedule.
Side effects of radiation therapy
Many people will develop temporary side effects during or shortly after treatment. The lining of the oesophagus can become very sore and inflamed (oesophagitis). This can lead to painful swallowing and difficulty eating. In rare cases, you may need a feeding tube to ensure you receive enough nutrition. Other common side effects include fatigue, skin redness, loss of appetite and weight loss. Most side effects settle within four weeks of treatment finishing.
More rarely, some people will develop long-term side effects. Radiation therapy can cause scar tissue and narrowing of the oesophagus (known as oesophageal stricture). This can make it difficult to swallow, and your doctor may perform a procedure to stretch the walls of the oesophagus (dilatation). Radiation therapy can also create inflammation in the lungs, causing shortness of breath.
For more on this, see Radiation therapy.
Video: What is radiation therapy?
Key resource
Download a PDF booklet on this topic.
More resources
Prof David Watson, Senior Consultant Surgeon, Oesophago-gastric Surgery Unit, Flinders Medical Centre, and Matthew Flinders Distinguished Professor of Surgery, Flinders University, SA; Kate Barber, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council Victoria; Katie Benton, Advanced Dietitian, Cancer Care, Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service, QLD; Alana Fitzgibbon, Clinical Nurse Consultant, Gastrointestinal Cancers, Royal Hobart Hospital, TAS; Christine Froude, Consumer; Dr Andrew Oar, Radiation Oncologist, Icon Cancer Centre, Gold Coast University Hospital, QLD; Dr Spiro Raftopoulos, Interventional Endoscopist and Consultant Gastroenterologist, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, WA; Grant Wilson, Consumer; Prof Desmond Yip, Clinical Director, Department of Medical Oncology, The Canberra Hospital, ACT. We also thank the health professionals, consumers and editorial teams who have worked on previous editions of this title.
View the Cancer Council NSW editorial policy.
Need to talk?
Support services
Coping with cancer?
Speak to a qualified health professional someone who has been there, support groups & forum
Need legal and financial assistance?
Practical advice and support during and after treatment
Looking for transport, accommodation or home help?
Practical advice and support during and after treatment
Cancer information
Making cancer treatment decisions
Decision-making steps, consent and second opinions
What is radiation therapy?
Key questions about radiation therapy as part of cancer treatment
View our publications
Guides and fact sheets for people with cancer, their families and friends