Side Effects Of Chemo And Radiation For Brain Cancer

Long term effects can happen months to many years after cancer treatment and the risks vary depending on the areas included in the field of radiation and the radiation techniques that were used as these continue to develop and improve.

Side effects of chemo and radiation for brain cancer. The goal is to destroy or damage the cancer without hurting too many healthy cells. This can sometimes be permanent. Sometimes the whole brain is treated with radiation although the doses are often lower. Side effects of radiation therapy to the brain may include.

Skin redness dryness or irritation in the areas exposed to radiation. In children the younger the child the more sensitive the brain cells are to the side effects of radiation. Radiation therapy treats cancer by using high energy waves to kill tumor cells. The side effects mentioned above tend to occur during treatment up until a few months after treatment.

Most side effects will be mild and can be easily managed. Hair loss in the area being treated by radiation. Many people who get radiation therapy experience fatigue. For many a nap is helpful every afternoon.

High doses of radiation therapy to the brain are more likely to cause long term problems. These delayed effects can include serious problems such as memory loss stroke like symptoms and poor brain function. Radiation to the brain can also have side effects that show up later usually from 6 months to many years after treatment ends. Fatigue usually starting the second or third week of treatment.

Learn more about possible side effects. This treatment can cause side.