Side Effects Of Having Brain Cancer

Learn about the types of side effects that immunotherapy might cause and where to go for more information.

Side effects of having brain cancer. If you have some of the signs and symptoms listed above it certainly doesn t mean you have a brain tumor. If you have a brain tumor any new symptoms or relatively sudden or rapid worsening of symptoms warrants a trip to the nearest hospital emergency department. Certain things can increase the risk of developing chemo brain or worsening brain function problems. A brain tumor can form in the brain cells as shown or it can begin elsewhere and spread to the brain.

Remember that the treatment can affect each patient differently and you may not experience these particular side effects. Immunotherapy side effects happen when the immune system that has been prompted to act against the cancer also acts against healthy cells and tissues in the body. Other side effects depend on the part of the body that is being treated. Side effects of brain cancer treatment vary with the treatment plan for example surgery chemotherapy or radiation and the overall health status of the patient.

Be on the lookout for the following. Cancer treatments may have many side effects. Some people with cancer have very real brain problems even though they haven t had chemo. Weakness or numbness can be side effects of cancer treatment too.

For some patients the side effects of brain cancer treatment can be severe. The cancer itself for example brain tumors. As the tumor grows it creates pressure on and changes the function of surrounding brain tissue which causes signs and symptoms such as headaches nausea and balance problems. Learn more about possible side effects.

A side effect occurs when treatment damages healthy cells. Radiation therapy has side effects because it not only kills or slows the growth of cancer cells it can also affect nearby healthy cells. Acute short term side effects. Treatment can affect each person differently and you may not have these particular side effects.

Many people who get radiation therapy experience fatigue. Radiation to the brain can also have side effects that show up later usually from 6 months to many years after treatment ends. Other drugs used as part of treatment such as steroids anti nausea or pain medicines. Most treatment plans try to keep all side effects to a minimum.

These delayed effects can include serious problems such as memory loss stroke like symptoms and poor brain function.