Patient booklets

Radiotherapy to a limb for sarcoma [PDF, 1,450 KB]

This booklet has been written for patients who are about to receive radiotherapy treatment to a limb (arm or leg) for soft tissue sarcoma or bone sarcoma.

Radiotherapy to the pelvis for sarcoma [PDF, 1,155 KB]

This booklet has been written for patients who are about to receive radiotherapy treatment to their pelvis for soft tissue sarcoma or bone sarcoma.

Radiotherapy to the skin [PDF, 2,282 KB]

This booklet has been written for patients having superficial radiotherapy to the skin. 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 to the skin page.

Radiotherapy to the spine and para-spinal region for sarcoma [PDF, 900 KB]

This booklet has been written for patients who are about to receive radiotherapy treatment to their spine or adjacent tissues for soft tissue sarcoma or bone sarcoma.

Radiotherapy to the spine for primary spinal cord tumours [PDF, 1,178 KB]

This booklet tells you about radiotherapy treatment for primary spinal tumours. The Christie is a specialised radiotherapy centre, and patients come for treatments that are not available in general hospitals. If you are having radiotherapy as an inpatient, please bring this booklet with you.

Same-day discharge following gynaecological oncology keyhole surgery [PDF, 110 KB]

This is an information sheet for gynaecological oncology patients who are being discharged the same day following their surgery.

Same-sex accommodation at The Christie [PDF, 133 KB]

The Christie is committed to providing a high-quality service including diagnosis, treatment and care to all our patients. We believe in safe and effective care focused on the individual needs of each person. Providing same-sex accommodation is an important way to improve the quality of care we provide to our patients.

Selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) [PDF, 150 KB]

This leaflet tells you about the procedure known as selective internal radiation therapy, also called radioembolisation. 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/s.

Sentinel node biopsy for melanoma [PDF, 112 KB]

Sentinel node biopsy is a surgical technique for finding out how far some types of cancer have spread (staging). If we can find the sentinel node that drains the primary cancer area, remove it by surgery and examine it under microscope, early spread can be identified or ruled out.

Sexual health following blood stem cell transplantation for female patients [PDF, 111 KB]

Sexual health can be affected in many ways by having an HSCT (haematopoietic stem cell transplantation). The management of the concerns can often be simple but people may feel embarrassed about discussing such issues with health care professionals and so they may remain unresolved.

The aim of this leaflet is to help you see that you are not alone with your concerns and to give you the confidence to discuss them with your doctor or nurse who will try to help with any symptoms you may be experiencing.

Shingles (Herpes Zoster) [PDF, 101 KB]

Shingles is caused by the chickenpox (varicella-zoster) virus. It is a painful fluid-filled rash on one side of the body. You may hear the doctor call this herpes zoster as this is its medical name.

Short synacthen test [PDF, 109 KB]

This is an information sheet about the short synacthen test which checks if a body is producing enough steroid hormone.

Should I have a penile prosthesis, and which one should I choose? [PDF, 69 KB]

Deciding whether to have a penile implant and between a malleable or an inflatable penile prosthesis can seem rather daunting. This leaflet will help you make the decision.

Sick day rules: COVID-19 and the risk and management of adrenal insufficiency [PDF, 110 KB]

As you will be aware, it is important for you to increase your steroid (hydrocortisone or prednisolone) dose if you become unwell. You should already have received information and training in the ‘sick day rules’ and specific advice regarding COVID-19.

Skin cancer and war pensions [PDF, 111 KB]

Men and women with skin cancer who have served in the armed forces may be entitled to a one-off payment or regular pension if it is believed the tumour developed due to sun exposure during their period of service.

Skin care during and after your radiotherapy treatment [PDF, 135 KB]

This leaflet tells you about the effect radiotherapy can have on your skin. It gives you general skin care advice to help relieve the symptoms caused by a skin reaction.

Skin flap [PDF, 110 KB]

Removing a skin lesion results in a skin defect. If the surrounding skin is loose, the wound can be closed by bringing the edges together (direct closure). If this is not possible, skin has to be brought from another part of the body, either as a graft or a flap.

Skin graft [PDF, 111 KB]

Skin grafting is a surgical procedure in which a patch of skin is completely removed from another part of the body (called donor site) and used to cover the wound (called recipient site). You may have a wound due to surgery to remove a lesion as in skin cancer, a severe skin infection, or from an injury or burn.

Sleeping with ease [PDF, 185 KB]

Sleep disturbance or ‘insomnia’ can be extremely common during busy, stressful or challenging periods in our life. This may result in you finding it difficult to fall asleep when you go to bed, or ‘broken sleep’ resulting in you waking up after a few hours.

Smoking cessation and alcohol advice services at The Christie [PDF, 102 KB]

A free, confidential smoking cessation and alcohol advice service is available for patients and carers at The Christie, providing helpful advice and treatment. Read how you can access this service in our information leaflet.

Soft tissue sarcoma [Word, 353 KB]

Soft tissue sarcomas are an uncommon type of malignant disease, accounting for less than 1 in 100 of all adult cancers.  They can appear in supporting tissues of the body, such as muscle, fat, blood vessels or nervous tissues.

Specialist Allied Health Professional (AHP) brain and central nervous system tumour rehabilitation [PDF, 101 KB]

The specialists you are going to see are called AHPs (Allied Health Professionals). They specialise in rehabilitation for people with a diagnosis of a brain or spinal tumour, both low and high grade.

Spinal cord compression [PDF, 91 KB]

The spinal cord is the large bundle of nerves that runs from the brain to the bottom of the back. The bones of the spine (vertebrae) protect it. As it passes through each bone the spinal cord gives off smaller nerves called nerve roots. These supply the trunk, arms and legs with sensation (feeling), and control of muscles. This includes control of the bladder and bowel. Spinal cord compression is pressure on the spinal cord and its nerves.

You can also read this information in an accessible format on our Spinal cord compression: what it means and how it can be treated page.

Spinal Cord Compression: what to look out for [PDF, 90 KB]

This leaflet explains about spinal cord compression (pressure on the spinal cord and its nerves) and how it can be treated.

You can also read this information in an accessible format on our Spinal cord compression: What to look out for page.

Spiritual care: A guide for patients and their carers [PDF, 442 KB]

Your – or your loved one’s – world view, beliefs or faith can be an extraordinary source of strength and resilience when facing cancer and cancer treatment. At the same time, you may find these beliefs being challenged by what you are going through.

Squamous cell carcinoma [PDF, 104 KB]

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a type of skin cancer that affects the outer layer of the skin. It is the second most common type of skin cancer in the UK. Most people treated for SCC are completely cured with simple treatment.

You can also read this information in an accessible format on our Squamous cell carcinoma page.

Stereotactic Ablative Body Radiotherapy (SABR) to the bones [PDF, 115 KB]

This leaflet aims to help patients and their families understand more about stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) for cancer treatment to their bones. Please read this leaflet alongside The Christie booklet ‘Radiotherapy – a guide for patients and their carers’. Your clinical oncologist (specialist doctor) will also discuss the treatment with you.

You can also read this information in an accessible format on our Stereotactic Ablative Body Radiotherapy (SABR) to the bones page.

Stereotactive Ablative Body Radiotherapy (SABR) to lymph nodes [PDF, 145 KB]

This leaflet aims to help patients and their families understand more about stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) for cancer treatment to their lymph nodes.

You can also read this information in an accessible format on our Stereotactic Ablative Body Radiotherapy (SABR) to lymph nodes page.

Stereotactive Ablative Body Radiotherapy (SABR) to the adrenal gland [PDF, 144 KB]

This leaflet aims to help patients who are going to receive stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) for cancer treatment to their adrenal gland. Please read this leaflet alongside The Christie booklet 'Radiotherapy - a guide for patients and their carers'. Your clinical oncologist (specialist doctor) will also discuss the treatment with you.

Stereotactive Ablative Body Radiotherapy (SABR) to the liver [PDF, 111 KB]

This leaflet aims to help patients who are going to receive stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) for cancer treatment to their liver. Please read this leaflet alongside The Christie booklet 'Radiotherapy - a guide for patients and their carers'.

Stereotactive Ablative Body Radiotherapy (SABR) to the lung [PDF, 116 KB]

This leaflet aims to help patients and their families understand more about stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) for lung cancer treatment. Please read this leaflet alongside The Christie booklets 'Radiotherapy - a guide for patients and their carers' and 'Radiotherapy to the lung'.

You can also read this information in an accessible format on our Stereotactic Ablative Body Radiotherapy (SABR) to the lung page.

Stereotactive Ablative Body Radiotherapy (SABR) to the spine: The Christie at Salford [PDF, 111 KB]

This information is for patients who are going to receive stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) to their spine. Please read this leaflet alongside The Christie booklet 'Radiotherapy - a guide for patients and their carers'.

Steroids and your cancer treatment [PDF, 110 KB]

You have been given this leaflet because you have been prescribed a class of medication called steroids as part of your care. Steroids include tablets called Prednisolone and Dexamethasone. They can be given as tablets or injections into a vein.

Superior vena cava stent [PDF, 112 KB]

This leaflet tells you about the procedure known as superior vena cava stent. It explains what is involved and the benefits and risks. It may make you think of the things you would like to discuss with your doctor.

Surgical oncology unit information (Department 4) [PDF, 102 KB]

A booklet providing key information about the surgical oncology unit.

Swallowing exercises for patients receiving radiotherapy to the head and neck [PDF, 7,487 KB]

Swallowing is a process that involves co-ordinating several structures and muscles in your head and neck. This leaflet contains swallowing exercises that can strengthen the swallowing muscles. This can help you to continue eating and drinking for longer during radiotherapy and improves the likelihood of a better functional swallow after treatment.

The Christie supportive care team [PDF, 928 KB]

Supportive care in cancer is the prevention and management of the adverse effects of cancer and its treatment. Read about the services The Christie supportive care team offer and how you can access these as a Christie patient.