cancer treatment radiotherapy - Doctor consulting male patient

The Three Most Important Questions To Ask Before Treatment

The initial steps following a diagnosis of cancer can be quite disconcerting, and it is understandable to feel confused and worried in that space between receiving the confirmation through a series of tests and examinations and your first session of radiotherapy.

At our international cancer care centre, you will be taken care of by a team of specialists, all of whom will be able to provide specific treatments and specialist advice in their fields of expertise, as well as work together to provide a comprehensive treatment plan.

As we have a major focus on patient-centred care, your needs will be at the heart of every care decision we make, and we will be happy to answer any questions and discuss any aspect of treatment you need. Ultimately, the decision to start radiotherapy or chemotherapy is yours to take.

Before you do, we have three simple but broad questions we recommend that you ask your multidisciplinary cancer team in order to provide greater insight and understanding of your treatment and ensure that the team’s recommendations align with your treatment goals as a patient.

What Is The Ultimate Goal Of Treatment?

Because there are so many types of cancer, there are a lot of different types of treatment, each of which can vary depending on the stage of cancer, the overall health of the person, how aggressive the cancer is and many other aspects.

However, one question to ask about every part of your treatment is what the goal of the particular intervention is.

On a broad level, the goal of treatment is typically to remove the cancer or reduce it to a level where it can no longer be found in the body, but this may not always be the case.

Sometimes, radiotherapy is used as an adjunctive treatment to help shrink a tumour to make surgery more viable and shorten long-term recovery; in other cases, it is used with chemotherapy to make both more effective, and in some cases, it is used to ensure the last remnants of cancer cells are destroyed and thus cannot grow back.

In other cases, the goal of radiotherapy is to relieve pain, particularly in cases where a particular tumour might be inoperable. Sometimes shrinking a tumour can be enough, at least in the short term, to relieve symptoms before alternative steps of treatment can be considered.

As suggested above, every treatment intervention will have a specific purpose that helps forward an overall goal, and asking what each part of the treatment does will aid in understanding what will happen in the future.

What Are The Effects Of Treatment And How Will They be Managed?

Depending on when a cancer is diagnosed, the treatment may be somewhat aggressive, which can lead to some additional symptoms that it is important to understand ahead of time.

Not every cancer treatment will have side effects; if a tumour is caught quickly enough and is eliminated through a short course of radiotherapy, you may barely notice the treatments at all.

In other cases, as cancer treatment typically relies on the body’s ability to regenerate and recover, symptoms such as fatigue, aches and pains are not uncommon, and other types of treatment will have specific symptoms that may need to be managed as part of your complete package of care.

This is why a cancer team consists of specialists from all aspects of the medical profession, from radiologists to physiotherapists.

They will help ensure that treatment is as minimally invasive as possible, has as few side effects as possible and will help ensure that your mental and physical health is at the best possible level to encourage the best possible outcomes.

Asking about these interventions will help to tailor your treatment plan around your needs and ensure that your stay at our cancer clinic will provide you with the best possible care.

Why Choose Radiotherapy And What Are The Alternatives?

This is technically two different questions, but they both focus on the same fundamental point; why did the cancer team come to the conclusion that the treatment they suggested is the most effective treatment for someone in the long term?

In many cases, the best way to ask this question is to ask about alternative treatments as well. Many cancers can be treated in multiple ways depending on the stage of treatment and the expected outcome.

There are various considerations made and weighted differently, and knowing what alternatives are available will give you the chance to make an informed decision that puts your needs at the forefront of your care, where they belong.

radiotherapy centre - Portrait of elegant woman having breast cancer

What Strategies Can Help You Adjust To Cancer Treatment?

When someone receives the news that they have tested positive for cancer, it can feel like everything has changed long before the first adjustments are made to incorporate cancer treatment wherever and however they choose to have it.

Radiotherapy at Amethyst Austria is, of course, entirely distinct because of our service provision, which includes precision technology, short treatment times and significant support for international patients.

However, we believe in the fundamental importance of a holistic approach to cancer care. Everything from nutrition and physical therapy to mental health care are all vital elements that will aid in recovery during and after cancer treatment, and the makeup of our multidisciplinary teams accounts for this.

From the moment you get your diagnosis until the transition to long-term aftercare, there are several adjustments that you may need to make and decisions to consider when it comes to your care, work and other commitments.

With that in mind, here are some strategies that you can employ that can help you adjust to cancer treatment whilst it is your new normal.

Be Open And Encourage Openness In Others

There is a remarkably common temptation to act somewhat stoically and suppress some of the very normal emotions that surround a cancer diagnosis.

The healthiest approach is to be honest with your cancer team, your friends, family, loved ones and anyone you expect to be in regular contact with during the treatment, such as your employer or work colleagues.

Everyone has their own ways of managing their emotions, and part of the treatment process is finding the healthiest and most comfortable form of expression for you, but the most important step to this is to say how you feel and what would help people to help you.

Get As Much Useful Information As You Can

Your cancer team will be happy to answer any questions with as much detail as they can or as little detail as you want, because you are at the centre of the decision-making process when it comes to your treatment.

Some people want the complete picture, including details on the type of cancer, treatment options, the focus of treatment and what to expect during it, as well as how this may affect one’s quality of life.

In other cases, however, people would find that the facts and details beyond the basic information surrounding their condition would not be helpful, and they are more comfortable deferring to specialists with regard to the details of treatment.

In either case, your cancer team will help you by providing as much detail as they can about what this means for your treatment.

Try To Maintain Your Lifestyle But Prepare For Changes

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to cancer care, and everyone responds to treatment in different ways.

Some people, even when they travel internationally for cancer treatment, can maintain a relatively similar lifestyle to the one they had at home, particularly if they have the equipment and the ability to work remotely.

In some cases, the only change to their lives will be that every few days they have a half-hour appointment to receive radiotherapy and spend the rest of their time living their life normally.

Maintaining an exercise routine and a healthy diet can help with mood and energy levels a lot, as can maintaining your social life when it is possible to do so.

At the same time, there will be points where maintaining your usual routine can be trickier, and it is okay to say no, cancel plans and focus on your own wellbeing.

Let Your Friends And Family Help

Your friends and family will always be there for you and will be more than happy to help you out wherever they can.

Sometimes it can be difficult doing all of the household tasks that make up each day, including cooking, cleaning, shopping and travelling to appointments. Having friends, family and loved ones to help can make your life easier when you need it most.

Even if you are receiving treatment internationally, our clinic will offer services to help ensure that family and friends can be by your side so they can remain close whilst you are treated in Vienna.

Consider Joining A Support Group

The people close to you will help however they can, but unless they have had cancer themselves or know someone who has gone through the treatment process, they might not be able to completely understand how you are feeling or what you should expect.

There are a lot of support groups, both online and offline, that can help answer questions about treatment that your cancer team, friends and family might struggle with.

A support group can also help provide affirmation and ways to adjust to the routine of cancer care.

radiotherapy centre - health care in Africa

Why Should You Consider Seeking Cancer Treatment Abroad?

Everyone has unique needs when it comes to their cancer car and they are not always best served by the same one-size-fits-all treatment pathway. These unique needs may take some to a specialist radiotherapy clinic outside of their home country.

Seeking cancer care internationally is not an easy choice and it is typically something either recommended by doctors directly or something people consider when they want to ensure that they get the best possible treatment for their particular type of cancer as quickly as possible.

We can help ensure that your treatment in Austria is as stress-free as possible, guiding you through every step of the process to ensure that you focus on your treatment and recovery without worrying about the documentation, accommodation and transportation to the clinic.

Our focus on going above and beyond for our patients is why so many people travel from around the world, including continental Europe, the UK, and Asia, to get treated, but here is why you should consider cancer treatment overseas.

Access To Unparalleled Technology And Specialist Care

By far the biggest reason why people will arrange cancer care abroad is that we have cutting-edge technology, research and expertise that is unavailable anywhere else in the world.

From specialist diagnostics and treatment planning to a wide range of radiotherapy treatments tailored to the type of cancer and your particular needs, many people consider this to seek out a second opinion if their primary option is unavailable.

Certain types of treatments, such as stereotactic radiosurgery, are not always available locally and may not be found at any clinic in some countries, making travel essential for high-intensity treatment for certain types of cancer.

Technology aside, if you have a complex or rare condition, you may be referred to an international specialist who can help with a treatment that may otherwise be impossible to treat.

Alternatively, other treatment pathways that are less invasive or more effective may only be available abroad, and whilst there will be an effective course of treatment available at home, one better suited to your overall health goals may only be available internationally.

Lower Waiting Times

Depending on the type of cancer you are diagnosed with, you may be placed on a waiting list for certain types of specialist treatment, which can lead to you waiting months, if not years, to get the care you should have as soon as possible.

Waiting lists and which conditions get priority can vary considerably by country, region or province, depending on access, demand and prognosis.

This can particularly be the case in the UK, where waiting times can vary significantly for certain complex conditions.

Opting for care in Austria can significantly reduce waiting times by avoiding the waiting list. Some doctors will outright suggest doing so or work with you to find an international referral if they believe you need treatment more quickly than it is available domestically.

We have special provisions for international patients, allowing for little waiting time between initial consultation, finalisation of visa documents, arriving in the country and starting treatment.

Alternatively, if you want to pursue a more aggressive form of treatment when you have been suggested active monitoring, seeking treatment abroad can be an alternative option in consultation with your doctor.

Value-driven care

Depending on where you reside and what treatments are available through your public health system, an equivalent treatment may ultimately cost more to stay in your home country than it may to travel and stay abroad.

This is particularly true in countries such as the US, where cancer treatment can be significantly, if not prohibitively expensive if you do not have adequate health insurance or your provider decides not to cover your costs.

Travelling to another country for medical treatment is also a popular option as it can be more cost-effective for people in countries with prohibitive private healthcare costs.

Even in other countries where the disparity between treatment costs is not as extreme, international treatment allows for certain alternative treatment pathways to deliver value-driven care with faster access compared to places like the UK and the US.

Privacy During Treatment

Some people want to be treated in a more secluded environment, either to avoid unwanted attention, to avoid worrying people or to try and mitigate some of the stress that can come with trying to juggle work and public service with cancer care.

Specialist cancer clinics understand how many different factors can affect treatment and will ensure complete confidentiality if this happens to be a priority.

radiotherapy centre

What Are Hemangiomas And How Can Low-Dose Radiotherapy Help?

The treatment potential of radiotherapy for a wide range of benign conditions has, for many years, long been underrecognised.

Whilst it is one of the three first-line treatments for cancer alongside chemotherapy and conventional surgery, radiotherapy can be used to treat a wide variety of benign conditions, including those that cause chronic pain, hormone imbalances and conditions that are more cosmetic in nature.

An unusual condition that radiotherapy can help with when required is hemangioma, a benign growth of blood vessels sometimes known as strawberry birthmarks because of their vivid appearance.

Sometimes they go away on their own or never need treatment, but in other cases, they can start to cause issues beyond simply how they look.

To understand the difference, it is important to understand what hemangiomas are, what causes them and when they need a visit to a radiotherapy centre to fix them.

What Is A Hemangioma?

Hemangiomas are a bright red benign noncancerous growth that grows due to the abnormal development of blood vessels.

Often confused with other types of birthmarks, they are the most common type of tumour or growth in children, and tend to appear on the skin or the subcutaneous layer just underneath the skin, although internal hemangiomas of the liver, intestines, brain and lungs are not uncommon.

Unlike similar blood vessel abnormalities such as varicose veins, it is not entirely clear as to why they develop, although some theories posit that certain proteins produced during gestation by placental cells can cause blood vessel growth, but more evidence is needed to prove a causal link.

Alternatively, hemangiomas can appear later in life in a form most commonly known as cherry angiomas. They are usually much smaller, with even the largest being less than a centimetre in diameter, and tend to appear more commonly in middle age.

How Common Are They?

Hemangioma appear in one in every 20 births, making them more common, but because they vary so much in terms of effects, some of these five per cent of cases are not immediately noticed and may never be noticed.

Whilst the most visible are those that appear on the skin, typically on the face or the top of the head, a lot also form on various internal organs without causing any effects.

According to some studies, there is an increased risk of them forming if a family member has had them, if a baby was born prematurely, if they weighed less than 2 pounds at birth, or if they are female and are white.

How Are They Diagnosed?

Typically, they are diagnosed on sight. They are relatively common in newborn children and have a characteristic enough look to be readily diagnosed as a hemangioma.

However, a biopsy, ultrasound, CT or MRI scan can alternatively be used to confirm a hemangioma if it is deep enough in the body that it cannot be diagnosed by sight, or there needs to be additional tests to rule out other possible conditions.

When Do They Need Treating?

Typically, hemangiomas do not need to be treated at all. If they form at birth, they will tend to fade within the first five years of a child’s life, and almost all of them will disappear within ten years.

They are typically not painful, do not affect any bodily functions and in some cases are not even noticeable. Even in some cases where they appear on the skin, they tend to fade quickly and are not always noticeable.

However, if a hemangioma grows in a place that is more cosmetically important, it can still be distressing, and whilst treatment is not medically necessary, it can still be very important, especially if they do not go away.

In other cases, a hemangioma can be potentially harmful or even dangerous. This is usually the case if they change colour from the strawberry red that they initially appear, burst and start bleeding, get infected, or develop near the throat, eyes, mouth or chin, as this can cause more long-term issues.

As well as this, if they infect the liver or a digestive organ, it can cause stomach aches, vomiting, nausea or a loss of appetite consistent with other liver disease, and at that point they may need to be treated.

How Can Radiotherapy Help?

Radiotherapy has a long and consistent tradition of helping with skin conditions and a dose targets abnormal blood vessels to reduce the size and appearance of the hemangioma over time.

Alternatively, beta blockers can be used to help treat hemangiomas in both oral and topical form, as can topical corticosteroids. Conventional surgery can also be used as a last resort.

radiotherapy centre - doctor talking with patient about lungs

What Is The Typical Process For Diagnosing Cancer Cases?

The purpose of providing a complete, all-encompassing treatment is to provide comfort, peace of mind and support through every stage of treatment.

This is not limited to the stages that take place at our specialist radiotherapy centre, but also includes advice and support when it comes to fitness, physical health and nutrition during treatment, aftercare, and support during the diagnosis process.

An early diagnosis is very important, as it allows for a wider range of treatment options and gives oncologists a wider range of advanced non-intrusive treatments at their disposal.

Getting diagnosed with cancer can differ from person to person, and as many people know first-hand or know from other people, everyone’s story can be unique. This can make it difficult at times to know what to expect if you or your doctor suspects you have cancer.

In the interest of providing insight and reassurance, here are some common stages for diagnosing cancer and what kind of expectations you should have.

How Is Cancer Initially Diagnosed?

The first step to diagnosis is also quite possibly the most variable, as some people will have a cancerous tumour but no symptoms, or may have somewhat nonspecific symptoms that they may not associate with cancer, but could be an early warning sign.

The three most common ways people are diagnosed with cancer are either through screening programmes, during tests for otherwise unrelated conditions or by booking an appointment with a doctor.

Screening Campaigns

Screening campaigns can vary considerably by country, but they will often involve either a home kit or a minimally invasive procedure to provide a sample that can be tested for a number of common types of cancer.

These typically include tests for breast, cervical and bowel (colorectal) cancers, but there may also be screening programmes available now or in the near future for stomach, lung and prostate cancer.

Unrelated Tests

There are several tests that are used to diagnose cancer that are also used in the screening of other conditions, so what can sometimes happen is that a doctor who checks someone who has an MRI or CT scan for an unrelated issue, such as a dental abscess or a broken bone, may also find an unusual result.

After informing the person about what they have found, that could lead to further tests to confirm or deny that the aberration was a sign of cancer.

Potentially Cancer-Related Symptoms

Typically, the first part of a cancer diagnosis is predicated on experiencing symptoms that do not feel right or do not seem to have a clear and obvious cause.

These more general symptoms of cancer could potentially be caused by a lot of different reasons, including other diseases, existing conditions or even stress.

Regardless, if you are concerned about any unusual feelings you have, book an appointment with your doctor to clear up any concerns. Even if it is not cancer, it may be another treatable condition that could be cleared up and improve your quality of life.

Here are some common symptoms that could potentially be cancer-related:

  • Fever or significant sweating at night. Sometimes both of these are the result of infections, side effects of medications or the menopause. However, if there is no other explanation, talk to your doctor about it.
  • Severe fatigue, especially if there is no clear reason for why you may feel tired (such as issues with sleeping, insomnia or stress).
  • Unexpected bruising or bleeding, particularly if blood is found in bodily fluids such as vomit or saliva after coughing.
  • Persistent or unexplained aches and pains beyond those that might be expected with ageing or pain-related conditions.
  • Noticeable weight loss without any other explanation.
  • Persistent lumps or swelling anywhere in the body.

How Is Cancer Confirmed?

Once a doctor suspects a cancer diagnosis, the next step is to book a series of relevant tests that will help to either confirm the diagnosis or explain why you may be experiencing similar symptoms.

These tests will vary based on the type of cancer you have, but will include scans, X-rays, blood tests to check for certain cancer markers, or a biopsy.

A biopsy is where a doctor will extract a sample of tissue and examine it using a microscope in order to check for cancer cells. In some cases, this is the only way to confirm cancer, but because it is a minimally invasive procedure, it will only be done if there is no other way to check.

You will be given advice and an explanation of each test, anything you need to do to prepare for it and what the cancer team is looking for.

A confirmation will also provide greater insight about the type of cancer, its staging and what types of treatments are available to be incorporated into a treatment plan.

Can You Get A Second Opinion?

Particularly when it comes to cancer, doctors and specialist oncologists understand the vital importance of a second opinion, and as long as there is time to get one before treatment must start, you may be encouraged and supported in seeking one out.

As a specialist cancer care centre, we are often involved in additional support for second opinions as part of a patient-centred philosophy.

Can You Sometimes Feel Pain During Chronic Pain Radiotherapy?

There are many causes of chronic pain and, as a result, there is a broad range of different treatment types that can provide a lifeline to some people living with pain symptoms.

One of these is low-dose radiotherapy, which is particularly effective at helping alleviate musculoskeletal pain very quickly and very effectively.

Unlike radiotherapy for cancer care, these radiotherapy sessions are typically undertaken either as required or on an occasional basis, take a matter of seconds to complete and are entirely non-invasive. 

Many people are likely to start feeling the benefits before the treatment course is over and continue to enjoy a pain-free life for a long time afterwards, but because chronic pain has many different causes, the journey to recovery can look and feel different for different people.

One aspect of this is that some people will feel better and recover as the radiotherapy course is taking place, but others will notice a more intense spike in pain that gets better and leads to a less painful baseline.

Despite being very different sensations, they often both signify a road to recovery, but to understand why, we need to explore chronic pain, its causes and why radiotherapy can help in the first place.

What Is Pain?

Defining pain is both extremely easy and almost impossible, because whilst we intuitively know that pain hurts, we all feel pain differently and pain episodes will sometimes feel different to each other even if they have the same cause.

This is because pain is best defined as a biopsychosocial phenomenon; pain is not only caused by biological phenomena such as injury or tissue damage but is also caused or intensified by psychological factors and environmental conditions.

The British Pain Society notes that whilst acute pain is typically a warning signal to highlight that a body part is hurt or an infection is making you ill, chronic and intermittent pain often has no useful purpose and can be caused by a wide range of factors affecting nerve signals.

Pain is often situational, which is why people in a flight-or-fight situation may not feel pain when they are in that crisis situation even if they feel it afterwards.

When Can Low-Dose Radiotherapy Help Chronic Pain?

Chronic pain has a wide variety of causes and a major part of pain management and treatment is working out the root cause of chronic pain. Some of these causes can be effectively treated through radiotherapy, especially if medication and physiotherapy have proven to be ineffective.

One condition that radiotherapy has proven to be effective at treating is osteoarthritis, one of the most common chronic pain disorders in the world.

Recent research into the causes of arthritis symptoms notes the effect of inflammation on the progression and pain of the disease, and the anti-inflammatory nature of low-dose radiation makes it an ideal non-invasive treatment that has proven to be effective for many people.

It can also help with other, similar conditions involving soft tissue pain such as plantar fasciitis, as well as treating chronic pain and swelling around the joints, something that not only relieves pain but can improve range of motion as well as quality of life.

Finally, radiotherapy can sometimes be used palliatively in order to relieve the pressure and symptoms of a cancerous tumour by shrinking it, usually when it is considered to be otherwise inoperable.

Can Low-Dose Radiotherapy Cause Pain?

In the overwhelming majority of cases, radiotherapy is instant, painless and the effects can be felt very quickly, due to the targeted nature of the radiation used. 

However, there are a few very rare cases where a chronic pain relief treatment can cause pain to increase as a sign that it is effectively treating the condition causing chronic pain.

The principle is similar to delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), the pain felt following a workout that is typically caused by the same microscopic tears to muscles and ligaments that lead to muscle growth.

In some cases, chronic pain recovery is about activating parts of the body’s recovery and recuperative systems to restore function and lead to long-term benefits.

In those cases, and a doctor will let you know if that is likely to be the case, the pain is a sign that the joint, soft tissue or other area in the body is effectively responding to treatment. The pain will go away, and it will often lead to significant relief in chronic pain.

This is not always the case, and if you do not feel a spike in pain but do feel pain relief of chronic symptoms, that is just as effective a sign of recovery.

IASO-Health-GmbH-and-Amethyst-Austria-Partner

Amethyst Austria and IASO-Health GmbH Announce New Partnership

Vienna, Austria / Bad Ragaz, Switzerland – July 16, 2025

Amethyst Healthcare is excited to announce an exclusive collaboration with IASO‑Health GmbH, led by CEO & Founder Bruno Rosset. This partnership grants IASO‑Health patients’ direct access to Amethyst Radiotherapy’s state-of-the-art center within the prestigious Wiener Privatklinik in Vienna.

Cutting‑Edge Radiotherapy in Austria

Amethyst Radiotherapy Vienna is powered by the Elekta Versa HD linear accelerator, renowned for its precision and versatility. The center offers advanced radiation modalities, including:

  • External Beam Radiation via Linac, delivering high‑energy X‑rays and electrons
  • Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT)
  • Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT)
  • Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS/SRT) for highly targeted, millimeter‑precise tumour

Equipped with Cone-Beam CT, multileaf collimators (MLC), HexaPOD couch with six degrees of freedom, and in‑vivo dose monitoring, the centre ensures maximum tumour targeting with minimal impact on healthy tissue

Under this collaboration, IASO‑Health patients, supported by its renowned integrative care, including dendritic cell immunotherapy, will benefit from prioritised access to Amethyst’s Vienna centre’s appointments, streamlined pathways across Switzerland, Germany, and Austria, and a highly coordinated treatment journey.

 

Bruno Rosset, CEO & Founder of IASO‑Health comments: “Partnering with Amethyst Healthcare enables us to integrate world‑class radiotherapy with our innovative immunotherapy approaches, ensuring our patients benefit from both cutting‑edge technology and deeply personalised care.”

Paul Stuchetz, Managing Director, Amethyst Radiotherapy Austria, adds: “Since opening in October 2020, our centre has delivered precision cancer care. This partnership with IASO‑Health strengthens patient access to rapid, high‑quality treatment in Vienna.

Dr. David Kuczer, Partner Radiation Oncologist at Amethyst Radiotherapy Austria, Clinical Lead at Amethyst Radiotherapy Austria, states: “With millimetre-level accuracy in stereotactic treatments and robust IMRT/VMAT protocols, this collaboration empowers patients with seamless access to our non‑invasive, high‑precision therapies, backed by comprehensive support systems”.

 

<< ENDS >>

 

For media inquiries, please contact: [email protected]

international radiotherapy centre - woman wearing mantra scarf

What Are The Best Ways To Boost Recovery After Cancer Care?

Every single part of cancer care is an essential part of ensuring the best possible outcomes for recovery, which starts as soon as possible when cancer is suspected and does not always end after the final visit to our internationally renowned radiotherapy centre.

There are no two identical cancer care journeys; even two people with the same treatment plan and course of radiotherapy may not necessarily have an identical road to recovery because their health and individual circumstances can sometimes be very different.

This is particularly true when travelling internationally for cancer care, and because of this, we prioritise the complete patient experience from assisting in preparation for their arrival to helping with extended stays, ensuring your support network can be there and putting you in the best possible place for recovery.

The most important factor in recovery is following the treatment plan, attending every radiotherapy session and following the advice of your care team between sessions, but once you reach the end of a particular course of treatment.

The after-effects of radiotherapy will start to go away gradually as your healthy cells recover from the effects of therapy. Whilst your cancer team and doctors will provide tailored health and advice, here are some of the best ways to boost your recovery and support the healing process.

Go At Your Own Pace

The end of cancer treatment is a period of upheaval and transition, and whilst the goal for many people is to get back to normal, it is important to listen to your body and mind, and go at their pace.

Radiotherapy continues to work to destroy cancer cells for weeks or even months after your final appointment, so it is essential to be gentle to yourself and move towards your new normal gradually.

Never feel guilty if you need to rest or take breaks and do not feel like you need to rush back to work or return to anything you do not feel quite ready for. You will get there but it may take more time than you may expect.

Exercise When You Are Ready And Able

During the prehabilitation stage leading up to your first radiotherapy sessions, as well as during and after your course of treatment, we recommend getting active when you feel like you can, and a physiotherapist will often be available as part of a multidisciplinary care team.

Once you get going, exercise can be very beneficial to your energy levels, physical health, mood and wellbeing. It can also boost your circulation, which itself helps with your recovery considerably.

This does not have to be an intensive, regimented workout, although some people can find that helpful. Gentle stretches, walks in the park and light aerobics can all help with the healing process and can be built upon to have a massive effect on your overall health.

If you have any questions about when and how to exercise post-treatment, do not hesitate to contact your cancer care team, as they will be able to answer any questions you may have and provide advice on how to listen to your body and avoid overtraining when you are still healing.

Focus On Hydration

One of the first pieces of advice you will receive from your radiotherapist is to keep hydrated, and that will continue to be true long after treatment.

There are various reasons for dehydration during cancer treatment, but keeping a bottle of water to hand to drink whenever you need it can help a lot with reducing fatigue, dizziness and nausea.

You may be recommended electrolyte powders, drinks and tablets, which can help restore the minerals that are typically lost through sickness, nausea and sweating.

Similarly, try to reduce and minimise alcohol and caffeine intake, as both can potentially cause or exacerbate dehydration.

Eat A Nutritious Diet

Nutrition is a key part of recovery, and this is especially true when it comes to recovering from intensive treatment.

Eating a balanced diet or one advised by your dietitian will help keep your energy levels high, provide you with adequate nutrition to ensure that your body can recover more quickly and help to improve your mood and mental health.

Find the right meal plan to suit you; if you are struggling to get your appetite back, start with smaller meals eaten more frequently.

Take Care Of Your Skin

You will receive advice early into your treatment regarding ways to take care of your skin during radiotherapy, and you should keep following them for at least a few weeks following your cancer treatment, as any changes to your skin will peak then.

If you have any questions, please get in touch with your cancer care team or cancer support services, as they will be more than happy to help you as you navigate the road to recovery.

Serbian Media Lepa & Srecna Feature Amethyst Radiotherapy Austria

Amethyst Austria Featured On Lepa & Srecna Platform

Amethyst Radiotherapy Austria has been featured on Serbian news platform Lepa & Srećna, highlighting the centre’s advanced breast cancer treatments. These therapies effectively deliver high doses of radiation to malignant cells while preserving the surrounding healthy tissue—often making breast amputation unnecessary.

This is welcome news for women in Serbia, where 4,447 cases of breast cancer are diagnosed each year and nearly 1,700 people sadly lose their lives to the disease, according to the news source.

Importance of Early Detection

However, thanks to early detection practices and innovative forms of therapy (such as the radiotherapy delivered by Amethyst teams), prognosis for breast cancer has improved significantly and the disease is now considered to be well controlled.

With breast cancer, which is a common form of the disease, early detection is key and women are advised to undergo both regular examinations and carry out self-examinations so that changes in tissue can be caught and dealt with as early as possible.

Insights from Our Expert

Speaking to Lepa & Srecna, Amethyst radiation oncologist Dr David Kuczer explained how radiotherapy works, with high doses of radiation directed to cancer sites, damaging the DNA of diseased cells and disrupting blood flow to the tumour.

“Cancer cells whose DNA is irreparably damaged stop multiplying, die, and are then broken down by the body,” he said.

While this non-invasive way of working means that the entire breast won’t have to be removed, the goal is to eliminate all microscopic remnants of the tumour to prevent recurrence. 

Technological advancements mean that treatment times have been reduced to between five and 20 sessions over one to four weeks, with individual sessions lasting ten minutes. There is also no scarring and both heart and breast implant protection are assured during treatment.

Personalised Care, Every Step of the Way

Amethyst Radiotherapy Austria prides itself on providing personalised treatments tailored to the individual, with treatment plans tailored to address specific needs, helping to reduce uncertainty about the path ahead and alleviating any anxiety and concerns. 

To find out more, get in touch with the team today.

Cancer treatment radiotherapy - Patient Radiation therapy mask

How Often Will You Receive Radiotherapy Treatment?

Following a diagnosis of cancer or a benign tumour that requires radiotherapy to treat, most people will have a lot of questions and uncertainty about what to expect when it comes to the next steps of their treatment.

For many people, there will be quite a few changes to their lifestyle, but your cancer multidisciplinary team will be there to help manage all of your needs and ensure that you receive the best possible treatment based on decades of evidence and expertise.

In a lot of cases, the primary treatment will be doses of radiotherapy provided every weekday for a set number of weeks, with breaks taking place during weekends.

In most cases, you will receive short daily treatments using radiation scheduled around your other priorities, although this can vary depending on the type of treatment you are having.

Here are the reasons why radiotherapy is provided on a daily basis, why there might be exceptions to this and what to expect throughout your course of treatment at our clinic.

Why Is Radiotherapy Administered Every Day?

In the vast majority of cases, your radiotherapy team will provide small doses of radiation that build up over the total course of treatment to gradually kill cancer cells whilst preserving as much healthy tissue as possible.

This is often known as fractional radiation because the total dose of radiation was traditionally split into fractions of equal intensity, although most clinics today will typically describe a course of treatment in terms of visits to a hospital or clinic.

There are a lot of reasons for this, but by far the most important is that it is a much safer and more effective way of providing radiotherapy treatment.

The pioneering radiotherapist Henri Coutard developed what was known at the time as the “protracted-fractional method” after he found that radiation administered over time was more effective at killing cancer cells without the often dangerous side effects of acute doses of radiation.

A beneficial side effect of this is that fractional radiotherapy treatment is painless, quick and will allow people to get on with their day and get everything done that they need to.

The standard dosing schedule is five daily doses a week administered in sessions every weekday, with a break at weekends to allow the body to recover.

Are There Any Exceptions To This?

In many cases, cancer treatment is personalised and tailored to meet the needs of the person receiving treatment. Your treatment plan will take into account your health, any existing conditions, the stages of cancer and where it is located.

Most of the time, a daily schedule of radiotherapy over the course of between two and eight weeks is the most appropriate option, but this is not always the case and one of the main focuses of research in the field of radiotherapy concerns alternative treatment schedules.

Some cancer types, including those that affect the head and neck, will often have twice-daily treatments, typically administered at least six hours apart, which allows for more recovery time by dividing the dose further.

Accelerated fractionation works on the same principle but instead of following the same schedule, as many doses as possible are given as quickly as is safe, which may include weekend treatments to ensure someone is treated as quickly as possible.

Conversely, some types of cancer are treated using fewer radiotherapy sessions but with significantly higher doses of radiation.

This is most notably seen with stereotactic radiosurgery (often known as Gamma Knife), which is typically a single session of treatment that can take up to four hours or more to complete.

Some other cancers can be treated in a similar way or with higher doses provided every other day over a shorter course of treatment. Whether this is possible will depend a lot on the type of cancer and where it is located.

Finally, palliative radiotherapy intended to relieve symptoms is typically given less often, as the goal is not to destroy the cancer but to shrink it in order to relieve symptoms.

What Should You Expect From Radiotherapy Sessions?

A radiotherapy session is typically very short, with the total amount of time you will spend in the clinic ranging from 15 minutes to an hour, although only a small amount of that will be spent undergoing radiotherapy.

The preparation, which typically involves changing into a hospital gown and moving into position to ensure that the radiation beam is precisely positioned, will often take longer than the treatment itself, which usually only takes a few minutes.

You will need to keep as still as possible, although you should breathe normally. It will otherwise look and feel like a medical scan and is typically painless.

Our team will guide you through every stage and ensure that you’re comfortable during each visit. Contact us for more information.