Mesothelioma

Radiotherapy for mesothelioma

On this page we cover what radiotherapy is and how it’s used to treat mesothelioma.

Radiotherapy uses high-energy X-rays to destroy cancer cells. It’s usually done with the person lying down in a special scanner and is painless. At the moment, radiotherapy is mainly used to help treat symptoms. For example, it might be given to a painful area to try to reduce the pain.

Radiotherapy can cause side effects. Many of these can be treated or prevented, and most will pass after the treatment stops.

Side effects of radiotherapy include:

  • sore skin
  • tiredness
  • hair loss (in the area being treated)
  • feeling sick (nausea).

You can read more about radiotherapy on the NHS website and on the Macmillan Cancer Support website.

Other treatments for mesothelioma:

Download our mesothelioma information (PDF, 166KB)

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Last medically reviewed: November 2020. Due for review: November 2023

This information uses the best available medical evidence and was produced with the support of people living with lung conditions. Find out how we produce our information. If you’d like to see our references get in touch.