Patient booklets

Information about your radiotherapy planning CT scan: The Christie at Salford [PDF, 105 KB]

A radiotherapy planning scan uses a CT scanner to produce crosssectional images or 'slices' through the body using X-rays linked to a computer. The scans which are undertaken to plan your radiotherapy are solely aimed to give enough information to plan the radiotherapy accurately.

Information about your radium-223 (Xofigo) therapy [PDF, 145 KB]

Your consultant has recommended that you have treatment with radium-223 (Xofigo). Radium therapy can be an effective treatment for reducing pain caused by cancer that has spread to the bone (bone metastases). It is most used in prostate cancer.

My Radiotherapy Journey – Asleep [PDF, 1,579 KB]

This booklet for younger child patients explains what happens when you come to The Christie for radiotherapy and have to go to sleep during your treatment. It’s designed to be read by children and their adults.

My Radiotherapy Journey – Awake [PDF, 2,038 KB]

This booklet for child patients explains what happens when you come to The Christie for radiotherapy. It’s designed to be read by children and their adults.

Radical abdominal trachelectomy [PDF, 133 KB]

A radical trachelectomy is an operation to treat cervical cancer. It may be offered to women who wish to keep their womb (uterus) because they still wish to have children.

Radical hysterectomy [PDF, 581 KB]

This booklet has been written to help answer some of the questions you may have about radical hysterectomy. This is different from a ‘simple’ hysterectomy because not only are the cervix, uterus and fallopian tubes removed, but also the top 2 to 3 cm of the vagina and the tissues around the cervix.

Radical trachelectomy [PDF, 576 KB]

This booklet has been written to help answer some of the questions you may have about radical trachelectomy. A radical trachelectomy is an operation to treat cervical cancer. It may be offered to women who wish to keep their womb (uterus), because they still wish to have children.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for the treatment of thyroid nodules [PDF, 115 KB]

This leaflet contains information for patients their family and carers, who are considering having radiofrequency ablation (RFA) treatment of a benign (non-cancerous) or cancerous thyroid nodule. It explains what is involved and the possible risks.

Radioiodine treatment for thyrotoxicosis [PDF, 1,344 KB]

Radioiodine can be used to treat people with an overactive thyroid gland or an enlarged thyroid gland. The Christie treats many people with radioiodine for these 2 conditions.

Radiotherapy department scanner - information about your radiotherapy planning CT scan: The Christie at Oldham [PDF, 101 KB]

A radiotherapy planning scan uses a CT scanner to produce crosssectional images or ‘slices’ through the body using X-rays linked to a computer. The scans which are undertaken to plan your radiotherapy are solely aimed to give enough information to plan the radiotherapy accurately.

Radiotherapy for primary brain tumours (including pituitary and base of skull) [PDF, 2,023 KB]

This booklet has been written for patients having radiotherapy to the brain. Radiotherapy is the use of exact, carefully measured doses of radiation to treat disease.

You can also read this information in an accessible format on our radiotherapy for primary brain tumours page.

Radiotherapy for symptom control [PDF, 121 KB]

You have been recommended a short course of radiotherapy by your consultant. The radiotherapy treatment is designed to control specific symptoms and problems, reducing the need for medications and enabling you to do the activities you need and want to do. This is called palliative radiotherapy.

Radiotherapy to the pelvis for anal cancer [PDF, 2.02 MB]

This booklet is to tell you about radiotherapy to the pelvis for cancer of the anus. It describes other possible treatments, some of which may not apply to you.

You can also read this information in an accessible format on our Radiotherapy to the pelvis for anal cancer page.

Radiotherapy: A guide for patients and their carers [PDF, 1.26 MB]

This booklet is to tell you about external beam radiotherapy. The Christie is a specialised centre for radiotherapy, and patients come for treatments that are not available at general hospitals. This is a general introduction to radiotherapy.

Rectal cancer: Clinical Complete Response after chemo-radiotherapy [PDF, 104 KB]

This information sheet can be used alongside information to patients considering chemo-radiotherapy prior to surgery for rectal cancer, and for patients who have completed chemo-radiotherapy and are found to have a Clinical Complete Response on follow-up scans and investigations.

Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) [PDF, 200 KB]

Cancer cells can be carried in the lymph fluid to the lymph nodes where they can grow as “secondary deposits” of cancer. This information describes the operation to remove the residual lymph nodes at the back of the abdomen as part of your treatment for testicular cancer.

Reversal (closure) of loop ileostomy [PDF, 115 KB]

This booklet has been written to provide you with information about reversal (closure) of your ileostomy. This following information will provide details about what the surgery involves, common problems which can be experienced after reversal and how to manage them.

Robot-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy [PDF, 109 KB]

This booklet gives you information about a procedure which uses keyhole surgery to remove part of the kidney using robot assistance. It is called robot-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy.

Robotic Assisted Radical Laparoscopic Prostatectomy (RALP) [PDF, 70 KB]

This leaflet covers some frequently asked postoperative questions, provides contact numbers and a checklist for you to follow.

Robotic pelvic node dissection for penile cancer (unilateral or bilateral) [PDF, 199 KB]

This information sheet tells you about what happens when you come for a robotic pelvic lymph node dissection under general anaesthetic. It explains what is involved and the benefits and risks. It may make you think of things you would like to discuss with your doctor.

Robotic radical prostatectomy [PDF, 220 KB]

This booklet gives you information about a procedure which uses keyhole surgery to remove the prostate using robot assistance. It is called Robot Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy or RALP.

Robotic resections for rectal and anal cancer [Word, 596 KB]

This booklet has been written to provide information on robotic rectal resections which involves keyhole surgery to remove the rectum using robot assistance. The Da Vinci surgical system shown below is a highly sophisticated robotic platform with a console where the surgeon sits and carries out the rectal resection.