When a doctor says a patient needs "sikai" or radiotherapy, most families in Varanasi have the same questions: what exactly is it, will it hurt, how many days will it take, and where can it be done without travelling to a far-off city? This guide answers those questions in plain language. Radiotherapy is available at ZenHeal Cancer Hospital in Varanasi (and at our Prayagraj campus). ZenHeal holds an AERB (Atomic Energy Regulatory Board) licence, and our oncologists plan radiation together with surgery and chemotherapy so the whole treatment is decided by one team.

Free OPD with cancer specialists at ZenHeal Cancer Hospital, Varanasi. Call +91 99307 09000 or WhatsApp +91 98803 78899 for a same-day appointment.

What is radiation therapy?

Radiation therapy (radiotherapy) uses carefully measured, high-energy X-rays or similar rays to damage the DNA of cancer cells so that they stop growing and die. Normal cells are also exposed, but they repair themselves better than cancer cells do, and the treatment is planned to spare healthy organs as much as possible. The rays are aimed only at the area that needs treatment, so radiotherapy is a local treatment, unlike chemotherapy, which travels through the whole body.

Who may need radiotherapy?

Radiotherapy is used in many cancers that are common in Purvanchal, including mouth and throat, cervical, breast, food pipe (oesophagus), lung and brain tumours. It can play different roles:

  • Main (curative) treatment, sometimes instead of an operation, for example in some head and neck or cervical cancers.
  • After surgery (adjuvant), to destroy cancer cells that may remain where the tumour was removed, for example after some breast or mouth cancer operations.
  • With chemotherapy (chemoradiation), where chemotherapy makes the cancer more sensitive to radiation.
  • Before surgery, to shrink a tumour so that the operation is easier or safer.
  • For relief (palliative radiotherapy), to ease bone pain, stop bleeding or relieve pressure, even when cure is not possible. See our guide to palliative care in Varanasi.

Not every patient needs radiation. The decision depends on the cancer type, its stage, the biopsy and scan findings, and the patient's overall health.

The two main types, in simple words

External beam radiotherapy is the most common type. The patient lies on a couch while a machine outside the body directs the rays at the treatment area. Each session lasts only a few minutes.

Brachytherapy (internal radiotherapy) places a radiation source inside or right next to the tumour for a short time, and is used mainly for some cervical, uterine and other cancers.

Doctors also talk about planning techniques that shape the dose more precisely around the tumour. Your oncologist will tell you which type and technique your own plan uses and why.

How radiotherapy is planned at ZenHeal

At ZenHeal the radiotherapy decision is made together, not in isolation. A clinical oncologist reviews the case with the surgical oncologist and the medical oncology team, so the order of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation is agreed once and explained to the family. In Varanasi, cases are reviewed by Dr. Amit Kumar Pathak, a clinical oncologist (radiation oncologist and chemotherapist) with more than 21 years of clinical experience (over 11 in oncology and radiation oncology), MBBS and MD in Radiotherapy from IMS BHU, whose research looked at shorter treatment schedules after mastectomy for locally advanced breast cancer. When radiotherapy is part of your plan, planning, daily sessions, weekly reviews and follow-up are done at ZenHeal Cancer Hospital, Varanasi, so your reports and doctors stay within the same ZenHeal team. Patients from the Prayagraj side can also have radiotherapy at our Prayagraj campus.

Have reports already? Share them on WhatsApp +91 98803 78899 or upload them for a free report review. If the patient cannot travel yet, a video consult with an oncologist costs ₹1,000.

What to expect, step by step

  1. Consultation and report review. Bring the biopsy report, scans (CT, MRI or PET-CT with CDs), blood tests and any discharge summaries. The oncologist explains whether radiation is needed and what it aims to do.
  2. Planning scan (simulation). A CT scan is taken in the exact position you will lie in for treatment. Small skin marks or a face mask (for head and neck cancers) help the team set you up the same way every day.
  3. Treatment planning. The doctor outlines the tumour and the healthy organs to protect, and a medical physicist calculates the dose, as in every radiotherapy plan. This usually takes a few days.
  4. Treatment sessions. Most courses are short daily sessions on weekdays for a number of weeks; some need only a few sessions. You lie still, the staff leave the room, and the machine works for a few minutes. Nothing is felt during the treatment.
  5. Weekly review. The doctor checks side effects, weight, blood counts where needed, and adjusts care.
  6. Follow-up. After the course ends, follow-up visits check how the cancer has responded and manage any late effects.

Side effects and care at home

Side effects depend on the part of the body being treated and usually build up gradually over the course.

  • Skin: redness, dryness or darkening in the treated area. Use only what the team advises on the skin, wear loose cotton clothing and avoid hot water bottles or strong soaps there.
  • Tiredness: common in the later weeks. Short walks and rest both help.
  • Head and neck: sore mouth, dry mouth and difficulty swallowing. Soft food, frequent sips of water and a clean mouth matter. Stop tobacco, gutkha and alcohol completely.
  • Pelvis or abdomen: loose motions, bladder irritation or nausea; tell the team early.

Most side effects settle within weeks of finishing. Call the hospital at once for high fever, bleeding, inability to swallow fluids or severe diarrhoea; ZenHeal Varanasi has a 24×7 emergency and ICU.

Cost, Ayushman Bharat and financial help

The cost depends on the type and stage of cancer and the treatment the doctor recommends, so we do not quote a fixed price before the patient is seen. After the OPD consultation, the doctor explains the plan and our patient counsellor explains the costs before anything is booked.

  • Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) is accepted. Bring the Ayushman card and Aadhaar; the help desk checks eligibility and explains what the scheme covers for this treatment before admission.
  • Private cashless insurance is accepted. Bring the insurance e-card and photo ID.
  • NGO support: our NGO, Love Heals Cancer, supports patients who need financial help to complete treatment.

Our step-by-step Hindi guide explains the paperwork: आयुष्मान कार्ड से कैंसर का इलाज.

Reaching ZenHeal Cancer Hospital in Varanasi

The hospital is on Dafi Highway at the Amara Bypass, opposite Aryan International School Road, about 4 km (around 13 minutes) from BHU, 9 km from Banaras (Manduadih) railway station and 20 km from Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction. Families also come from Mirzapur, Jaunpur, Chandauli, Ghazipur, Bhadohi and other Purvanchal districts. More about the hospital, its doctors and facilities is on our Varanasi hospital page and on ZenHeal Cancer Hospital Varanasi on ZenOnco.io.

Questions to ask your oncologist

  • What is the aim of radiotherapy in my case: cure, reducing the chance of the cancer coming back, or symptom relief?
  • Will I need chemotherapy or surgery as well, and in what order?
  • How many sessions will I need, and how long will each visit take?
  • Which side effects should I watch for at home, and when should I call?
  • What will it cost, and what can Ayushman Bharat or my insurance cover?

For a full overview of all treatments available in the city, see cancer treatment in Varanasi on ZenOnco.io. Families visiting for the first time can read what to bring to your first visit.

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Address: ZenHeal Cancer Hospital, Dafi Highway, Opposite Aryan International School Road, Amara Bypass, Dafi, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221011 · Get directions