Your child will attend the radiation clinic at the same time each weekday for a set number of days.
Depending on the reason for treatment, some children have more than one session per day. No treatment is given at weekends.
Treatment begins only after the immobilization mask is made and the simulation completed, to ensure each dose of radiation is delivered accurately. For information about the preparation process, click here.
Before Treatment
Each treatment takes only two or three minutes. Including set-up, the radiotherapy treatment process may take half an hour for whole eye radiotherapy, a little longer for lens sparing therapy.
If your child is anaesthetized, this will usually be done in the treatment room. Your child will be placed on the treatment table, and the mask will be bolted down. The machine will be moved to the pre-planned position.
Measurements will be taken to confirm the position is correct. The radiotherapist may also shine a light onto the area to be irradiated to ensure the machine is properly aligned. You may be allowed to stay with your child throughout this process
During Treatment
When set up is complete, and everyone is sure of your conscious child’s co-operation, you must leave the room with the radiotherapist. Treatment can be stopped at any time if your child becomes distressed.
You may be allowed to observe your child on a video monitor and offer comfort via a microphone, but you must not distract the radiotherapist while he administers the radiation.
Learn more about supporting your child through radiotherapy.
After Treatment
If your child completes treatment awake, you will be free to go as soon as it is over. If a general anaesthetic is used, you will be allowed to leave once your child is fully awake and has had something to drink.
Your child will not be radioactive and you can mix with other people as normal.
Your child may be prescribed eye drops and pain killers. Make sure you have these and know how to use them before you leave the hospital.
You will be given an appointment for an EUA 3-4 weeks after radiotherapy ends. This time lapse enables the doctors to assess how effective the treatment has been.