Paediatric Radiotherapy Service Information for Parents and Carers
Our service:
Paediatric radiotherapy services are provided by the Nottingham Radiotherapy Centre based at Nottingham City Hospital. We work very closely with local paediatric oncology teams including Nottingham (QMC), Leicester, Derby, Northampton and Lincoln. We are also in partnership with University Hospitals Birmingham to form the Midlands Paediatric Radiotherapy Service.
Radiotherapy isn’t a part of all paediatric cancer treatment pathways; however, it can be used in conjunction with chemotherapy/immunotherapy or as a stand-alone treatment to treat cancer or manage symptoms. Radiotherapy can range from a single treatment up to 6 weeks of treatment and is typically delivered as an out-patient service. Radiotherapy can also be delivered as an in-patient, for example if your child is staying in hospital for chemotherapy – if this is the case, transport between hospitals can be arranged. Aim, length and expected side-effects of treatment will be discussed with you in a consultation prior to treatment planning procedures.
Where standard radiotherapy (using photons) is provided locally, the oncology team may suggest that an alternative form of radiotherapy called Proton Beam Therapy (PBT) could be more suitable for your child. If relevant, this will be discussed in detail with you as travel to one of two UK PBT centres in Manchester or London would be required (see links for information regarding photon radiotherapy and PBT).
Our department:
Nottingham Radiotherapy Centre is based at Nottingham City Hospital near the Purple Entrance (see map link). You will have access to a small carpark directly in front of the Radiotherapy Centre/Purple Entrance, further carparks such as purple and yellow and blue-badge parking throughout the hospital grounds. You will be provided with a parking permit which enables you to park without charge. If you require hospital transport or financial support to attend appointments, please discuss this with the oncology and radiotherapy teams.
Nottingham Radiotherapy Centre has a family room where you and your child are more than welcome to wait for treatment. The family room is a private, child-friendly environment with toys, comfortable seating and a kitchenette.
Radiotherapy process:
Although radiotherapy treatment is a short and painless procedure, very young children or those that can find it tricky to keep still may need a general anaesthetic (GA) each day for treatment. GA is facilitated in-house and the GA/recovery room adjoins our family room so you can be near your child as they wake up.
Nottingham Radiotherapy Centre has a CT scanner to facilitate radiotherapy planning and multiple treatment machines called linear accelerators.
An essential part to radiotherapy is keeping still in a position that is reproducible, therefore your child may need to visit our mould room to have a special mask or cast made to help them do so (see useful links for some videos regarding mask making). Masks can be decorated by the radiotherapy team in any design your child would like. Reward charts and beads of courage can also be provided by the team.
There are also Bluetooth speakers & light projectors available to provide distraction from the scanners/treatment machines.
Your child’s planning scan may also involve very small dots called radiotherapy tattoos being made on their skin at specific reference points – these are permanent however no bigger than a freckle and feel like a small sharp scratch when made. You and your child can ask more about radiotherapy tattoos during radiotherapy consultations.
Following a planning CT scan, it can take up to 2-3 weeks for the treatment to be ready due to a complicated planning process. A provisional start date may be given at your child’s planning appointment and/or you will be contacted closer to the time when treatment is ready.
The team:
Clinical Oncologist – Dr Claire Esler
Clinical Oncologist – Dr Louise Brookes
Lead Paediatric/TYA Therapeutic Radiographer – Molly Bamber
Paediatric/TYA Therapeutic Radiographer – Grace Koudou
Contact details:
If you would like more information regarding radiotherapy treatment or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us:
Radiotherapy Information and Support - 0115 962 7976 (if no answer, please leave a message for Molly or Grace)
Paediatric/TYA Therapeutic Radiographers - nuhnt.radiotherapypaediatricstya@nhs.net
Useful links:
Home - 0-25 Cancer Service East Midlands
CCLG - The Children & Young People's Cancer Association | Home
Radiotherapy and proton beam treatment for children’s brain tumours