Radiation therapy uses a high-energy beam to kill cancer cells. It is occasionally used after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells, or if surgery is not possible. Radiation may also be used help treat pain or other symptoms of melanoma.

To minimise damage to normal tissue, many beams of radiation may be aimed from different angles to meet at the tumour. This delivers more radiation to the tumour than to healthy cells around it.50,51

You may want to ask your doctor these questions about radiotherapy:

• How long does treatment last?
• How often will I have radiotherapy?
• Will I feel any pain?
• What are the side effects of radiotherapy?
• What problems do I need to watch for after radiotherapy?
• Are there any long-term side effects?

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