Radiotherapy is a highly effective cancer treatment that not only offers a cure but .also excellent palliation of disease-related symptoms and complications (Department of Health (DH), 2012). Increasing survival rates mean more and more patients are living with, and beyond, cancer and as a consequence the distinction between palliative and curative goals is becoming blurred (Lutz et al, 2014). It has been estimated that up to 50% of prescribed radiotherapy is given with palliative intent to treat the symptoms of advanced disease, offering excellent palliation of symptoms associated with pain, haemorrhage, obstruction, compression and malignant fungating wounds— providing patients with relief from distressing symptoms and improved quality of life (Hung, 2007).
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