Private radiotherapy - Woman with cancer during chemotherapy

How Radiotherapy Aids in Improving Cancer Survival Rates

When private radiotherapy was first used to treat cancer patients in the early 20th century, it was as a means of palliative care to ease the suffering of the dying. While it is still often used this way today, for most of the past century, it has also had a role in extending life and, in some cases, defeating cancer altogether.

Outcomes for patients will depend on a range of factors, from the type of cancer to age and, most importantly, how early the cancer is diagnosed. Nonetheless, two factors have become increasingly prevalent in recent years. One is that there are more diagnoses, while the other is an increase in successful treatments.

Cancer Rates Up – But So Is Survival

The latest UK data has highlighted this. Cancer Research UK’s Cancer in the UK report, published this month, revealed that over the past 50 years, the proportion of people in Britain being diagnosed with cancer has risen by 47 per cent. However, the mortality rate has fallen by 22 per cent over the same period.

Most notably, the proportion of people who get cancer but survive at least another ten years is now one in two, compared with one in four in the early 1970s.

The diagnostic element is an important factor, as better and earlier detection is important in tackling cancer, in particular by treating it before metastasis takes place – the point at which cancer cells break away from the area initially affected and migrate to other parts of the body.

At the same time, there are other reasons for an increase in diagnoses, not least an ageing population.

The Global Picture

The UK situation is anything but unique. Survival rates are improving around the world thanks to improved diagnostics, but also more advanced treatments. Indeed, data published by the World Population Review has shown that some countries are outperforming Britain, and indeed other Western countries, in many areas.

For example, the highest five-year survival rates for stomach cancer are to be found in South Korea, followed by Japan and Jordan. Europe is also outperformed by Japan, the US and others in lung cancer survival. However, in breast cancer, the survival rate in most European countries is over 80 per cent. Prostate cancer survival rates are higher still.

Across the globe, these figures will be much more favourable than they were not just half a century ago, but more recently. Moreover, while ageing populations and advances in diagnostics make higher case rates likely in the coming years, survival rates can be expected to continue to improve as new and better treatments emerge.

The Role Radiotherapy Plays In Better Outcomes

The improvements in treatment have certainly not all come from radiotherapy, with other kinds of therapy and new drugs emerging with great regularity. Nonetheless, the advancement in the use of radiotherapy has made a huge difference.

This has included the use of more focused stereotactic radiosurgery that can target precise areas such as tumours without harming sensitive surrounding tissue (a particular priority in brain cancer cases), plus the advancement in scanning techniques to enable better targeting and monitoring of the delivery of radiation.

Further benefits can arise when the calibration of doses is aided by technological advances and research indicating how high (or low) a dosage may be beneficial in various circumstances, through a better understanding of the balance between the benefits of treating the cancer and any associated side-effects of treatment.

Austrian Research Offers Lung Cancer Breakthrough

Among the very latest developments has been research showing that high-dose radiation therapy can improve prospects for lung cancer patients without increasing the risk to the patient. This was the conclusion of a study run by Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, in the Austrian city of Krems, the journal Cure Today reports.

Pulmonologist Dr Felix Schragel explained that the postulated risk was that higher doses of radiation might lead to more pneumonitis cases, which manifests in the form of dangerous lung inflammation. However, the study showed that patients given higher doses actually had lower rates of pneumonitis.

Furthermore, the data indicated a higher survival rate for lung cancer patients given the higher dose, with a 93 per cent one-year survival rate for those who had the higher dose, which remained steady after four years.

This research could help improve outcomes for patients with lung cancer when undergoing radiotherapy treatment. In the same way, patients with brain, prostate, breast, neck and other cancers may similarly benefit from other recent – and future – advancements in treatment.

Radiotherapy is not new, but the understanding of how best to deploy it and the technology to deliver it in the right amounts and precise locations are continuing to advance. In using the latest technology and insights, we aim to get the best possible outcome for every patient.

Learn more about our advanced radiotherapy treatments for different cancers on the Amethyst Group website.

chemotherapy - IV drip attached to young male patient's hand during chemotherapy

How Should You Prepare Before Your Chemotherapy Treatment?

The most successful treatments for cancer involve a tailored treatment plan based on the most up-to-date medical research on treating the particular type of cancer, but they also require a focus on the broader aspects of mental, physical and social health.

This is particularly true for chemotherapy treatment, due to the variable lengths of treatment and the broad differences in how people feel between the different rounds of treatment.

This, alongside the varying lengths of chemotherapy treatments themselves means that an effective treatment will focus not only on killing cancer cells but providing tailored support for someone throughout their entire treatment journey.

If your specialist treatment plan involves the use of chemotherapy, either as a primary treatment or in combination with radiotherapy, here are some ways that you can get ready for treatment and make it easier to manage.

Ask Your Team About What To Expect

Your cancer team, including your lead doctor and nurse, will provide clear, helpful answers to any questions you may have about your treatment, and what they will say about the practical aspects of cancer care will often shape the types of preparations you may need to make.

They will often provide straightforward advice for managing cancer treatment, but the most important question to ask is about how the chemotherapy drugs will be administered, how long it will take, and whether they are affected by other medications you are taking or may take in the future.

If the infusions will take hours, days or weeks, you may need to pack a chemotherapy bag with essentials, changes of clothing and entertainment to pass the time.

Make Preparations For Fertility And Dental Health

Depending on where you are being treated, chemotherapy might have an effect on other parts of your overall health. Your cancer team will inform you of this and in some cases provide direct support through our holistic approach to cancer care.

In other cases, it may be important to have other medical work undertaken ahead of time, such as necessary dental work to avoid infection, storing eggs and sperm for future fertility or other options for preserving long-term health if it could be affected by the nature of the treatment.

Start A Healthy Living Routine

If you already have a workout and diet routine, it may be worth exploring how you can maximise your nutrition and physical health in preparation for cancer, as this can not only help with managing the effects of chemotherapy but also maintain your energy levels and mood.

This process is known as prehabilitation and many cancer teams will have dedicated physiotherapists and nutritionists to help provide advice, meal and workout plans tailored for and based around your treatment.

Because of the cyclical nature of chemotherapy, this routine is particularly important.

Discuss Your Situation With Work

Some people will work whilst undergoing cancer treatment, but it is important to discuss with your employer (or business stakeholders if you are self-employed) about your treatment and potential options for either taking medical leave or a reduction of hours.

Depending on where you live and local employment laws, your employer may be required to provide reasonable adjustments to enable you to keep working, such as flexible hours, additional breaks and time off so you can attend medical appointments.

Having this discussion ahead of time will enable you and your employer to manage your workloads and reduce any additional stress that could affect your treatment.

If you are unable to work during your treatment, there are various forms of financial support available, although the exact amounts and how to claim them can vary by region.

Make Sure You Have Day-To-Day Support On Standby

Because chemotherapy has spikes in intensity that the body recovers from, there will be days when you have a lot of energy and are able to do everything you want to or need to do, but on other days you might struggle to handle your day-to-day needs.

Exactly how chemotherapy will affect you depends on a wide range of factors, including your overall health and the treatment plan itself, but it is extremely beneficial for both your mental and physical health to talk to people you can trust and your cancer team about your practical needs.

Your friends, family, loved ones and neighbours will often be there to help with essentials such as having easy-to-cook meals, shopping, housework and personal care.

Having this available for your first session means you have fewer worries and can focus on relaxing, recovering and recuperating whilst the cancer treatment works.

Radiotherapy Centre - octor standing in front of the Z ray image

What Brain Tumour Awareness Month 2025 Has Taught Us

May has been Brain Tumour Awareness Month in multiple countries, which makes this a very good time to consider what progress has been made in developing the understanding and awareness of brain tumours, as well as advances in treatments.

When it comes to matters as serious as cancer, it really is relevant and important to understand how far we have come and what kinds of treatments exist. This is especially true if you or a loved one is a sufferer.

Of course, it can be easy to lose track of the themed days and months on the calendar, with a plethora of awareness days and months for various causes, many of them medical. Indeed, in the US, a type of brain tumour – Glioblastoma – has its own awareness day in July.

The US, Canada and Australia mark brain tumour awareness month in May, whereas the UK does so in March. In either case, this provides a very good opportunity to take stock of what has been discovered about tumours and also how they have been treated, as well as providing extra impetus (and funding) to research efforts around the world.

The Treatments We Have Now

The standard way to treat brain tumours is either excision by physical surgery or the use of radiotherapy. Sometimes a combination of both may be used. Patients coming to our radiotherapy centres may receive a range of different forms of treatment.

Among the different forms of radiotherapy for tumours is external beam radiotherapy, which involves directing a beam of radiation at the tumour from a source outside the body, usually using a linear accelerator machine.

The development of this treatment has not just been down to the invention and subsequent fine-tuning of the linear accelerator itself, but accompanying technology such as MRI and CT scans. This makes possible 3D conformal radiation therapy, where a 3D map of the tumour helps guide the delivery of the radiation.

Intensity modulated radiation therapy is a variation of this, where the strength of the radiation can be varied between different beams used in the treatment of a tumour. This is especially useful where the area targeted is closer to normal brain tissue, enabling the exposure of such tissue to harmful radiation to be minimised.

The Emergence Of The Gamma Knife

Another form of radiotherapy is stereotactic radiosurgery. This involves a particularly precise focus of the radiation beam on a specific area of the tumour.

This is commonly carried out with a gamma knife, which, despite its name, is not a knife but a device designed to produce a very concentrated beam of radiation, with the great benefit of minimising radiation exposure to surrounding tissue.

Radiotherapy has been used since the turn of the 20th century, but the gamma knife was a more recent development, which can be attributed to the Swedish neurosurgeon Lars Leksell, who patented it in 1967. A second version was produced in the 1970s as the technology improved, but this has been about fine-tuning a great device, not reinventing it.

In this context, it is useful to observe that there is already a huge amount that can be done to help patients with brain tumours, especially through radiotherapy, often through surgery and sometimes through other methods such as chemotherapy, although the latter is usually deployed in combination with other treatments rather than being used on its own.

What Are The Latest Advancements?

Nonetheless, an article published in the journal Cure Today has highlighted how new developments have further enhanced the power of radiotherapy to offer better treatments for patients with fewer side effects.

The article focused on a discussion to mark Brain Tumour Awareness Month in which Dr Ranjit Bindra, a professor at the Yale School of Medicine in the US, stated that proton therapy and image-guided precision have been major contributors to improvements in both areas.

He also noted that individualised and evidence-based cancer care can be made even better by close collaboration between all those involved, from neurosurgeons to radiation oncologists.

Positive news about developments such as proton therapy may also point the way towards a brighter future, with Dr Bindra striking an optimistic note about what further research can achieve, provided sufficient funding is available.

He commented: “As long as we maintain that funding, we will continue to make wonderful discoveries and change the lives of patients with brain cancer.”

Reasons To Be Positive

What this year’s Brain Tumour Awareness Month (be it March or May) has helped to highlight, therefore, is that radiotherapy continues to advance and deliver better outcomes with fewer side-effects for patients, with good reasons to expect further progress in the years ahead.

At Amethyst, we already use the best radiotherapy techniques and technology to seek optimal outcomes for patients, whether for brain tumours or other cancers. In the years to come, we may be able to do even more.

Learn more about our advanced radiotherapy treatments for brain tumours on the Amethyst Group website.

provide support and assistance - Woman doctor holding hands

What Mental Health Support Is Available During Radiotherapy?

From the moment you are diagnosed with cancer, every aspect of your care plays a role in ensuring that your cancer is destroyed and you make the best possible recovery as soon as possible.

This is why your multidisciplinary team will not only contain oncology experts from a wide variety of medical fields to ensure that you are provided the best courses of treatment possible that not only take your condition and the type of cancer into account but also your personal needs.

We take a particularly holistic approach to cancer treatment, and several members of the MDT are there to provide support and assistance at every step of your treatment, from the physical to the emotional.

Providing tailored psychological support is a critical aspect of care at all stages of the treatment process, and whether you need reassurance, coping strategies, or a sympathetic ear, mental health services are available.

How this will look for different people will vary somewhat, but here are some examples of the types of psychological support you can expect during your treatment journey.

When Diagnosed

One of the first parts of your treatment you are likely to receive will be mental health support following your diagnosis, because it is a lot for many people to take in so quickly.

Everyone has a slightly different reaction, but it is very common to feel shocked, angry or even feel nothing at first. It can be very difficult to process, especially at first, and oncological nurses and doctors will be sympathetic, open and transparent with your diagnosis and what comes next.

For many people, this is when mental health support is needed the most and a psychologist will be there to help you process in these early moments.

The connection between psychological care and your treatment is much closer than a lot of people realise, and we know that support during these early stages is not only essential for providing reassurances and help, but can potentially have an effect on physical symptoms and wellbeing during and following treatment.

Not everyone has the same needs at this early stage, however. Some people adjust to the diagnosis beyond the initial stage as preparations for treatment begin, whilst others will have appointments with a psychologist throughout the treatment process.

Much as there are hundreds of different types of cancers, there are many different avenues for support, and we are there at every stage to help.

During Treatment

Some people can adjust to the diagnosis, but the wait between the confirmation of the treatment plan and the preparations for the first treatment can leave some people feeling uneasy, and that is completely understandable.

Your MDT will explain the process, give you clear information on what to expect, and how you will feel, but until it happens, it is common to feel anxious.

Psychological support is there to help you with these practical concerns, but beyond this, they are also there to be a sympathetic listener for concerns you may not feel like you are able to voice elsewhere.

Cancer treatment can sometimes be intense and is not uncommon to have low energy levels, feel fatigued or struggle with day-to-day activities that were previously far easier. As advanced as modern cancer care is, it can still affect your quality of life and your relationship to your friends and family.

Your cancer team can help with medical and pharmacological solutions to some side effects, as well as provide advice regarding diet, exercise and resting.

Your support circle and cancer team are here for you throughout your treatment, and they will help you in every way they can.

Following Treatment

The weeks and months following cancer treatment can sometimes be difficult, particularly following a lengthy course of radiotherapy or chemotherapy, where the routine of going to see your radiotherapist, your oncologist and the other members of your cancer team has become so ingrained.

As with any intensive experience, it can take some time following the end of treatment to process and reflect, and it is okay not to be okay once the final course of treatment is over and you have been declared cancer free or the cancer is in remission.

Psychological care will continue to be available, and your cancer team will often signpost additional services, support groups and therapists who specialise in managing mental health post-cancer.

Support is always available, and people are always there for you even between follow-up appointments. It is okay to lean on that support whilst you recover and figure out what you want to do next, following treatment.

brachytherapy - family support

What Should You Expect During Brachytherapy Treatments?

There are several options available for treating tumours, but whilst the majority of radiotherapy treatments use an external source of radiation, brachytherapy implants a radiation source inside the body close to a tumour to destroy it from within.

It is most commonly associated with treatment for prostate or cervical cancer, although it has been used as part of breast, oesophageal, eye and skin cancers, as well as exceptionally rarely during the treatment of brain tumours.

Because a lot of people who receive treatment for cancer do so through some form of external beam radiotherapy (EBT), it can sometimes be difficult to know what to expect during internal brachytherapy.

Here are answers to some of the most common questions people have about internal radiotherapy.

Why Is Brachytherapy Used?

Brachytherapy is a highly accurate and precise set of treatments where radioactive material is placed in the body close to or directly inside the tumour in order to destroy it from within. This can either be temporary using a catheter or using radioactive seeds implanted next to the tumour.

These are known, respectively, as high-dose rate and low-dose rate brachytherapy.

As a primary cancer treatment, brachytherapy is primarily used to allow for higher doses of radiation to be applied to a target area without damaging healthy nearby tissue.

The principle is similar to the highly accurate external Gamma Knife treatment, although it can be applied in other places in the body besides the brain.

It can also be used as part of a combination treatment with external beam radiotherapy or surgery, although it is rare for brachytherapy to be combined with chemotherapy.

Brachytherapy is over 120 years old, and was one of the first versatile types of radiotherapy treatment, and is a proven, safe and effective treatment for a multitude of different types of cancer.

How Long Does Treatment Take?

One advantage of brachytherapy is that it does not require as many sessions as conventional external beam radiotherapy.

High-dose rate brachytherapy typically takes only one or two sessions because a much higher dose of radiation can be used per session, although this can vary depending on your treatment plan. Each session typically lasts no more than 20 minutes from where the radioactive material is in position.

Meanwhile, low-dose rate brachytherapy is typically implanted in a single procedure that takes less than a day but gives off radiation for a few months.

In most cases, you can go home after treatment, although there are some cases where it might be safer to remain for observation for a few nights.

As with other types of radiotherapy treatment, however, you will need someone to take you to and from the hospital due to the anaesthetic used for treatment.

Radioactivity After Treatment

One question that is sometimes asked regarding brachytherapy regards radioactivity following treatment, and whether any precautions need to be made before and after treatment.

The answer depends on the type of treatment, as you are only radioactive whilst a source of radiation is inside your body.

You will be treated in a room on your own and may not be able to have visitors if you need to stay as an inpatient, depending on the types of treatment you had.

If you have radioactive seeds implanted, you will be radioactive, although only close to the treatment area.

You are typically safe to be around most people, but you may be advised to avoid holding children or being in close contact with pregnant women as a precaution. They can remain in the same room as you, but hugging or holding them for more than a few minutes may need to be avoided.

Whilst the radioactive seeds will remain in your body forever, the radiation itself will fade after a few weeks or months. As it does, you will no longer need to be careful with close contact.

Are There Any More Precautions To Take After Treatment?

You will receive medications to help ease any symptoms and receive a card with contact details and an explanation of the treatment you have had.

For the first few days after treatment, the area where you had treatment may feel sore, and you will need to avoid intense exercise and heavy lifting for at least three days.

Make sure to stay hydrated, eat a balanced diet and take any pain medication that you have been prescribed.

The symptoms will get easier after the first few weeks, and you will have regular follow-up sessions to ensure that if there are any unexpected issues that they can be addressed by your doctor and multidisciplinary team.

Amethyst Healthcare Acquired by Fremman

Amethyst Healthcare Group Enters Growth Chapter with Acquisition by Fremman Capital

Amethyst Radiotherapy Group (“Amethyst”), a leading pan-European provider of cancer care services, today announced that it has entered into an agreement to be acquired by Fremman Capital, a pan-European mid-market private equity firm. This strategic partnership marks a significant milestone in Amethyst’s journey and sets the stage for accelerated expansion and innovation across the European oncology landscape.

Founded in 2010, Amethyst has become one of the largest independent radiotherapy providers in Europe. Operating 19 cutting-edge cancer treatment centers across France, Poland, Romania, the UK, Italy, and Austria, Amethyst treats more than 50,000 patients annually. The Group delivers a comprehensive suite of oncology services — primarily radiotherapy — through a dedicated team of over 500 healthcare professionals and in collaboration with nearly 100 partner physicians.

As part of the transaction, Fremman Capital will acquire a majority stake in Amethyst, while the company’s founding shareholders and The Rohatyn Group will fully exit their investment. Fremman brings deep experience in healthcare and a strong track record of scaling essential service providers across Europe, making them a natural partner to support Amethyst’s long-term vision.

This partnership with Fremman marks a new era of opportunity for Amethyst,” said Stéphane Carré, CEO of Amethyst Radiotherapy Group.

“Their expertise in healthcare and long-term investment philosophy aligns perfectly with our mission: to deliver advanced, accessible cancer care to more people, in more places. With their support, we will continue investing in cutting-edge technologies, expanding our footprint both organically and through partnerships and M&A, making a difference in the lives of patients and families across Europe.”

 

Amethyst has built a strong reputation for clinical excellence, operating nearly 40 state-of-the-art linear accelerators — the primary technology used in modern radiotherapy — and forming long-standing partnerships with public health systems to ensure the equitable delivery of life-saving care.

The radiotherapy market continues to show strong growth, driven by rising cancer incidence and increasing recognition of radiotherapy as a highly effective, non-invasive treatment option with minimal side effects. Fremman’s investment underscores the strength of Amethyst’s model and its leadership position in this critical area of cancer care.

The transaction is expected to close in the coming months, subject to customary regulatory approvals.

 


About Amethyst Radiotherapy
Amethyst is a leading European cancer care provider specialising in radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and diagnostic imaging. With operations in six countries and 19 centers, Amethyst combines clinical excellence with patient-centered care to improve access to oncology treatment across Europe. The Group partners closely with public healthcare systems, delivering services under reimbursement-based models.

About Fremman

Fremman Capital is a pan-European, mid-market investment firm with offices in London, Luxembourg, Paris, Madrid, and Munich. The firm partners with ambitious management teams to help transform businesses into multinational sustainable leaders, particularly in sectors essential to society such as healthcare, technology, and business services.

For more information: www.fremman.com

Media Contact:
Sophie Ward
Email Address: [email protected]
Phone Number: +44 208 713 0460
Organisation Website: www.amethysthealthcare.com

gamma knife radiosurgery - Gamma Knife in the department of radiology

How Should You Get Ready For Your Gamma Knife Treatment?

A lot of the preparation for a Gamma Knife radiosurgery treatment is undertaken by your specialist radiotherapy team to ensure that your treatment is as effective, comfortable and comprehensive as is safely possible.

In terms of radiotherapy treatments, Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery is one of the oldest, one of the most precise and one of the most effective treatments for a wide range of brain conditions from primary and secondary cancer to trigeminal neuralgia and other types of brain tumours.

The effectiveness of the treatment and the ability to precisely target specific parts of the brain means that treatment can typically be completed in one day. Unlike conventional surgery, most people who undergo Gamma Knife treatments can go home the same day.

There are some basic preparations to make first, in order to ensure that the treatment is as simple as possible, and most of these are similar to those for any other type of surgery or medical procedure.

Referral And Consultation

The first steps will involve a referral by a doctor and a meeting with a radiation oncologist who will oversee your treatment, check your medical history and run tests to determine if it is the right option for you, often working with your multidisciplinary team to develop a complete treatment plan.

Ultimately, whilst an MDT and specialist oncologists can recommend treatments, the final choice will be yours and you will be supported throughout the planning and decision-making process.

Once you agree, we will arrange for the treatment to be undertaken at a time to suits you, discuss the next steps, look at the treatment room with you and have the chance to answer any questions you may have.

Before The Day Of Treatment

You will need someone to take you to the radiotherapy centre on the day of the treatment and back home, so make sure to make suitable arrangements to ensure you have someone with you. They will be there to take you home and make sure you have everything you need before and after treatment.

Your oncologist will let you know what medications you should take the night before and in the morning.

You should wash your hair, but avoid using anything other than shampoo in your hair if you tend to use conditioner or topical solutions as part of your hair care routine.

Avoid putting on makeup, take out any piercings that you can so they do not interfere with MRI scans and opt for loose-fitting clothing. You want to be as comfortable and relaxed as possible.

Planning And Preparation

Depending on the appointment and type of treatment, the first step when you arrive for your Gamma Knife treatment will involve preparing you for the treatment, the final imaging scans and the final planning process.

Because Gamma Knife is typically a one-day procedure, the planning is often done the day of your treatment because precision is key and the closer the scans are to the treatment, the more accurate it will be.

You should not eat after midnight the night of the treatment in order to settle your stomach.

Fitting The Gamma Knife Frame Or Mask

Depending on the treatment you are having, you will either have a lightweight metal frame or a plastic mesh mask fitted tightly to your face or head.

If a frame is being fitted, you will receive four shots of local anaesthetic to numb parts of your head so the frame can be fitted. This part will not be painful but might feel tight for a few minutes.

This is often done during the imaging process, and you will get a chance to relax in another room. Whilst the treatment is painless, sedation is available to help you relax as well, and throughout the treatment process, you will be able to talk to your doctors at any time.

Gamma Knife Treatment

When it is time for the treatment, the frame will be fitted to the bed of the Gamma Knife machine and the plan will start as soon as both you and the doctors are ready.

The treatment itself can last between 20 minutes and four hours depending on the nature and complexity of the treatment, but you will be told beforehand how long you should expect treatment to take.

As it is not a surgical treatment, you may hear a chime, a bell or just be told directly that the treatment is completed, whilst the radiotherapist will take off the mask or frame and apply a bandage to your head.

What Happens After Radiotherapy Treatment Is Completed?

A comprehensive cancer treatment neither begins nor ends with the course of radiotherapy, and a private clinic will often provide a comprehensive group of primary treatments as well as therapeutic support, advice and a specialist focus on day-to-day care.

Because of this, cancer treatment typically begins from the moment a test, screen, biopsy or set of symptoms suggests that you might have cancer, with a multidisciplinary team forming to support your doctor and primary care team in developing a comprehensive treatment pathway.

During this time, not only will your primary treatments such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy be planned and undertaken, but you will be provided with rehabilitation before, during and after treatment to ensure that it works as effectively as possible and that people are supported at every part of their treatment journey.

The end of a primary treatment can often bring questions, concerns and challenges, and whilst life post-radiotherapy will look very different depending on the type of treatment, here are some common elements to expect following radiotherapy.

A Holistic Needs Assessment

The end of the primary treatment is not often the end of the need for support, and with that in mind, many clinics have some kind of holistic needs assessment.

It is not always known by this name, but a holistic needs assessment is an exploration of all of the ways in which cancer and the treatment for it have affected a person, as well as identifying areas of concern beyond any lingering treatment effects.

Not all clinics or doctors undertake a holistic needs assessment in the same way, but it typically consists of either a series of questions or a checklist, a discussion of the answers by a member of the cancer team, and the creation of a personalised care and support plan.

This is not only helpful for providing targeted support and treatment following primary care, but it helps to provide reassurance that the team will still be there to help even following the end of radiotherapy.

Treatment Summary And Next Steps

Once the course of treatment is completed, a summary of the entire pathway is often provided.

This provides information not only on all the treatment sessions that have already been completed but also all of the follow-up information needed going forward.

This includes expectations of lingering symptoms, any possible new symptoms to report to a member of the cancer team, contact details for the cancer team and any key workers, as well as details of follow-up appointments and tests.

Follow-Up Appointments

Following the end of treatment, there will be continued appointments with a member of the cancer team. These are known as follow-up appointments and will regularly take place at first, although in some cases they can become less frequent.

As well as this, a person’s primary care doctor will also be provided a complete treatment report and can also provide more general help and support for recovery, managing symptoms and making additional referrals whilst necessary.

They will also help with any follow-up prescriptions for medications to manage symptoms.

A Change To A New Routine

Radiotherapy treatment can sometimes consist of a single procedure, such as is commonly the case with Gamma Knife radiosurgery, which uses a series of focused beams and a computer-guided system to provide precisely focused beams of radiation.

In other cases, however, it can consist of weeks or months of regular treatment that can range from every weekday to two or three times a week depending on the timetable for treatment and the number of radiation doses required.

Whilst this is a disruption to a routine that takes time and support to get used to, the end of the course of treatment can in many cases feel just as disruptive.

This is normal, and many people have mixed feelings following the end of treatment, as they make adjustments and return to a normal life whilst taking care of the treatment area and managing fatigue that can often result.

Additional Support

Following treatment, the cancer team can signpost support services in the area that can help, whether as part of a holistic needs assessment or as part of more ad-hoc advice.

A lot of people have had similar experiences with treatment and will often form or take part in support groups in local areas to create a community that helps uplift each other or take part in activities together to assist with mental and physical health.

Recovery looks very different to different people, and it is okay for it to be a gradual process with some good days and some bad days. Eventually, there will be far more of the former than the latter, and life will return to a new normal.

How Radiotherapy Is Used To Treat Secondary Cancer

The private cancer treatment we offer is always geared toward the needs of the individual, which goes beyond simply offering various approaches for different types of cancer.

Everybody is different due to factors such as age, genetics and family history. This can mean the way cancer manifests in one patient has some differences to that of another who has the same essential diagnosis. At the same time, you may want to have a significant say in treatment options, and your choices could be different from others.

An area of significant variation between patients is the area of secondary cancer. Primary cancer is defined as the initial location where the cancer begins. For example, breast cancer can begin in tissue in the mammary glands, brain cancer in a tumour in part of the brain and so on.

If it is diagnosed early, there is often a very good prospect of treating the cancer early before it can spread and ensuring the patient is cancer-free. This may depend on the kind of cancer it is and its location.

Secondary Cancer Defined

However, what can also happen is the cancer spreads to other areas of the body. The technical term for this is metastasis, commonly known as secondary cancer.

What this means is that cancer is now present beyond the original area where it began, even if it is no longer present in its original site. One one of the most obvious examples of this is breast cancer, which may be present in other parts of the body even after a mastectomy, due to it spreading before the operation took place.

It is important to note there is a distinction between secondary cancer – where the initial cancer has spread – and second primary cancer, which is when a patient has two cancers in different parts of the body that are independent of each other.

The reason this distinction is important is that in secondary cancer, the cancerous cells are of the same kind wherever they are found, so a lung cancer cell is still that if, for example, it spreads to the brain. If the patient was also suffering from brain cancer, that would be a second primary cancer.

Furthermore, there is a kind of secondary cancer that is classed as being of unknown primary, which means metastasis has taken place, but the place of origin has not been established. This is uncommon and only accounts for around two per cent of cancers diagnosed each year.

Treatment Options For Secondary Cancer

Radiotherapy is commonly used to treat secondary cancers alongside other forms of treatment. The treatments that are used may vary depending on what kind of secondary cancer is present, alongside other medical factors such as age and broader health.

For example, secondary bone cancer may be treated in several ways, which include radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy and certain targeted drugs. In secondary breast cancer, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormonal therapy may also be used, as well as bone-strengthening drugs if the cancer has spread to the bones.

Some kinds of secondary cancer can be treated in a large number of ways. For instance, secondary liver cancer can be treated with radiotherapy, chemotherapy and hormonal therapy, but also surgery, tumour ablation, embolisation and targeted therapy.

These options will depend on the kind of cancer present. For instance, with liver cancer, surgery is only an option in a small number of cases, usually secondary bowel cancer or neuroendocrine tumours.

By its very nature, secondary cancer is a very broad topic area, as it covers many different primary cancer types, each of which may spread to multiple areas of the body, with various effects and different implications for treatment.

For example, if a cancer spreads to the brain from elsewhere in the body, the way radiotherapy is used will often be different to a situation where another area is affected. Because of the need to protect brain tissue from radiation exposure as much as possible, stereotactic radiosurgery will often be the best treatment option.

Keeping Treatment Individual

Because there are so many ways in which secondary cancer can manifest itself and such a variety of treatment options that are contingent on many different factors, there will never be a one-size-fits-all approach.

For that reason, if you have secondary cancer, you will be kept well-informed and advised about everything that is understood about your condition and will be able to play a full collaborative role in making decisions about your treatment.

As an individual whose medical situation will be different to anyone else’s, we will always aim at the best course for you in accordance with your wishes.

Inside Amethyst Healthcare’s PPP Strategy with CEO Stephane Carre

In today’s rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs) represent more than just a financial model—they serve as a cornerstone for innovation, increased access, and long-term sustainability. Amethyst Healthcare Group, under the leadership of CEO Stéphane Carré, is championing this approach. In a recent interview with The CEO Magazine, Carré detailed how Amethyst is strategically leveraging PPPs to deliver cutting-edge cancer care to more patients across Europe.

The Role of PPPs in Modern Healthcare

Healthcare systems across Europe are grappling with a dual pressure: tightening budgets and rising demand for services. PPPs present a viable solution by combining the reach and reliability of public institutions with the agility and technological edge of private enterprise. When executed effectively, these partnerships can enhance service quality, increase efficiency, and broaden patient access.

Amethyst has been a firm advocate of this collaborative model since its inception. Through enduring partnerships with hospitals and public health organizations, the company provides advanced radiotherapy services—relieving pressure on public resources while ensuring high standards of patient care. This alignment results in a dual benefit: enhanced healthcare delivery for patients and sustainable models for providers.

Expanding Access Through Real-World Impact

One notable example of Amethyst’s PPP success is its collaboration with Centre Hospitalier de Troyes in France. By managing the hospital’s radiotherapy unit, Amethyst enables the facility to offer cutting-edge treatments without requiring a substantial capital outlay. This approach removes financial and operational barriers, significantly improving access to lifesaving care—especially in underserved regions.

In the UK, the company’s acquisition of Queen Square Radiosurgery Centre in London brought advanced Gamma Knife technology to both private and NHS patients. Since 2023, patient numbers at the center have doubled, underscoring how PPPs can rapidly enhance treatment capacity and introduce breakthrough technologies into public healthcare frameworks.

Driving Innovation While Sharing Risk

One of the key advantages of PPPs is the ability to introduce innovation without placing the entire financial or operational burden on public systems. Amethyst’s model epitomizes this principle. By investing in and managing radiotherapy centers on behalf of public institutions, the Group delivers excellence in care with a streamlined, patient-focused approach.

This model not only facilitates faster adoption of advanced technology but also enhances overall service quality—reducing waiting times, minimizing inefficiencies, and improving patient outcomes.

Scaling for Sustainable Impact

Since 2020, Amethyst has recorded an 84% increase in the number of patients treated annually, including a 70.1% rise in NHS-referred patients. These figures highlight more than just growth—they reflect the potential of PPPs to sustainably expand healthcare capacity and ease the burden on national systems like the NHS.

Looking ahead, Amethyst plans to scale its operations to 50 clinics and over 100 linear accelerators across Europe. This ambitious expansion is firmly anchored in its PPP-driven strategy, which remains a central pillar of the Group’s vision for the future.

Redefining Collaborative Healthcare

For Amethyst, PPPs are not merely funding mechanisms—they are strategic enablers. By aligning the capabilities of the private sector with the needs of the public, these partnerships create resilient systems that can grow, adapt, and consistently deliver high-quality care.

As Stéphane Carré noted in his interview with The CEO Magazine, the future of healthcare lies in intelligent collaboration. PPPs will continue to play a transformative role—not just in oncology, but across all sectors of healthcare seeking scalable, impactful, and sustainable solutions. Amethyst Healthcare is proud to be leading this transformation.


Read the full interview with Stéphane Carré in The CEO Magazine for more insights into Amethyst Healthcare Group’s inspiring journey.