Patient booklets

A guide for patients receiving radiotherapy on the MR-linac [PDF, 133 KB]

Your doctor has discussed with you the opportunity to have your radiotherapy treatment on a new treatment unit known as the MR-linac (magnetic resonance linear accelerator). The Christie is one of the first hospitals internationally to use this technology. The machine combines a normal radiotherapy unit with an MRI scanner. You may have had MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans before at the hospital.

This machine will allow us to see the treatment area more clearly and adapt the treatment to improve accuracy.

A patient’s guide to The Christie [PDF, 2,437 KB]

We want you to be as comfortable as possible whilst you are being treated at The Christie. This booklet aims to provide you with general information about the hospital and our services.

A-Z of coping with nausea and vomiting [PDF, 1,177 KB]

This guide has been written to help you understand more about nausea (feeling sick) and vomiting (being sick). It contains information you may find useful to help manage sickness.

Abdominoperineal excision of the rectum (APER) [PDF, 264 KB]

This leaflet tells you about the procedure known as an abdominoperineal excision of rectum (APER). It explains what is involved, and some of the common complications associated with this procedure. It is not meant to replace discussion between you and your surgeon – it is intended to be used as a guide in connection to what is discussed.

Abscess drainage [PDF, 104 KB]

This leaflet tells you about the procedure known as abscess drainage and explains what is involved and what the benefits and risks are. It may help you to think of things you would like to discuss with your doctor.

Abstral® SL tablets [PDF, 97 KB]

Abstral® is used to treat breakthrough pain (a temporary flare in pain) related to cancer. The possible benefits of treatment vary; your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist will be happy to answer any questions you have about your treatment.

This should be read with the manufacturer’s patient information leaflet.

Actinic keratosis [PDF, 103 KB]

Actinic keratosis is also called Solar keratosis because it is caused by long-term exposure of skin to ultraviolet rays contained in the sunlight. It is a very common condition in white-skinned people particularly over the age of 50.

You can also read this information in an accessible format on our Actinic keratosis page.

Actiq® lozenge [PDF, 100 KB]

Actiq® is used to treat breakthrough pain (a temporary flare in pain) related to cancer. The possible benefits of treatment vary; your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist will be happy to answer any questions you have about your treatment.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) [PDF, 101 KB]

'Acute' means it has occurred over hours or days. 'Kidney injury' describes damage to the kidneys, usually with a change in the kidney function. It can be caused by dehydration, illness, infections, major surgery, when flow of urine from kidneys through the ureters or bladder is blocked as in prostate and cervical cancer, or it can be a side-effect of certain drugs.

Adjuvant bisphosphonate service (ABS) in the treatment of early breast cancer [PDF, 71 KB]

You have been given this leaflet because you have been referred to the adjuvant bisphosphonate service (ABS) and chosen to start bisphosphonate treatment for your early breast cancer.

Advance care planning [PDF, 531 KB]

A guide for patients and their carers to think of some answers to questions about current health, people involved in a patient's care and future planning.

Advance decision to refuse treatment [Publisher document, 181 KB]

Some people choose to plan ahead if they are facing a progressive illness. Before their illness becomes too severe, and whilst they can still make their own decisions, some people may want to record what treatment and care they wish to have in the future. This leaflet can help you to talk openly with your family and friends, and the professionals involved in your care if you so wish.

Advice following abdominal surgery [PDF, 115 KB]

This booklet is designed to help you after your discharge from hospital and to guide your return to activity. It covers how often you should be walking, how to get in and out of bed and how to deal with pain or discomfort.

After your MRI contrast/dye injection (proton beam therapy) [PDF, 181 KB]

You have been given an injection of MRI contrast/dye to help highlight the area of interest on your magnetic resonance scan. A reaction to the contrast/dye is extremely rare. However, if a reaction does occur, this usually happens shortly after the injection. These effects are usually very mild and do not last long.

You can also read this information in an accessible format on our After your MRI contrast/dye injection page.

Alcohol intrathecal neurolysis [PDF, 103 KB]

Your doctor has suggested that you may benefit from this procedure. It is a specialised type of nerve block.

Alfentanil injection [PDF, 111 KB]

Alfentanil is used to treat pain that is difficult to control. It is offered as a guide to you and your family. The possible benefits of treatment vary; your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist will be happy to answer any questions you have about your treatment. 

This should be read with the manufacturer’s patient information leaflet.

Alpelisib [PDF, 169 KB]

This leaflet is about a treatment for cancer called alpelisib. The treatment is prescribed in 4 weekly cycles. If your team prescribes alpelisib for you, this leaflet will explain how often you need to take it and what the main side effects are.

An easier to eat, nourishing diet [PDF, 1.20 MB]

With some types of illness or treatment, you may experience a sore mouth or swallowing problems, which makes eating difficult. This booklet covers the sort of food that might be easier for you to eat at this time.

You can also read this information in an accessible format on our An easier to eat, nourishing diet page.

An introduction to the proton beam therapy service [PDF, 4,925 KB]

This folder provides you with all the information you need to know throughout your proton beam therapy treatment at The Christie. As well as this folder you will be given other information more specific to your illness and treatment.

Anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN) [Word, 174 KB]

Anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN) is the name given to the appearance of abnormal cells in the skin just inside or immediately outside the anus. Sometimes AIN occurs in both places at the same time, and in women, may occur at nearby sites of the vulva (VIN) and cervix (CIN).

Angiogram [PDF, 111 KB]

This leaflet tells you about the procedure known as angiogram. It explains what is involved and the benefits and risks. It may make you think of the things you would like to discuss with your doctor/s.

Antacid and oxetacaine oral suspension [PDF, 103 KB]

Oxetacaine is a topical anaesthetic, which effectively relieves pain when applied to the lining of the mouth and food pipe. The antacids neutralize stomach acid and prevent further irritation of the food pipe. Antacid also thickens the liquid to help carry the oxetacaine and coat the food pipe.

Antegrade ureteric stenting [PDF, 112 KB]

This leaflet tells you about the procedure known as antegrade ureteric stenting. It explains what is involved and the benefits and risks. It may make you think of the things you would like to discuss with your doctor/s.

Anticoagulant alert card [PDF, 45 KB]

Serious side effects of anticoagulation can include an increased risk of bleeding. Contact The Christie Hotline with any other clinical queries but for any of the symptoms on this card, you should seek emergency medical attention via 999 or your local A&E department.

Arginine stimulation test [PDF, 103 KB]

This is an information sheet about the arginine stimulation test to check if the body is producing enough growth hormone.

Ascitic drainage [PDF, 110 KB]

This leaflet covers what happens if your doctor thinks that there is excess fluid or 'ascites' in your abdomen (tummy) which needs draining. Either a specialist nurse from the procedure team or a radiologist will carry out this procedure on the integrated procedure unit (IPU).

Aspen Vista cervical collar [PDF, 444 KB]

This booklet explains how to fit an Aspen Vista cervical collar around the neck, when you need to wear it and how you need to clean it.

Axillary lymph node dissection [PDF, 145 KB]

The surgery you are going to have is called an axillary lymph node dissection or clearance. This means removing the lymph nodes or glands from one or both armpits. It is major surgery and is carried out under a general anaesthetic.

Cancer of the appendix [PDF, 118 KB]

Appendix tumours are unusual, accounting for 0.4% of all cancers of the bowel. Cancers of the appendix can spread to other parts of the abdomen and have secondary growths that attach to other organs or the inner lining of the abdominal and pelvic cavity which is called the peritoneum. These are called peritoneal metastases.

The ADAPT programme [PDF, 101 KB]

ADAPT (Managed Local Follow up of Long-Term Lymphoma Survivors) is a planned individualised programme of care, that focuses on your future health and wellbeing now that your lymphoma has been treated and the risk of it returning is very low.