Radiation on the brain can sometimes cause side effects. You may or may not experience adverse effects. The effects and their severity vary from person to person. This sheet contains detailed information about potential side effects and ways to deal with them. Generally, side effects appear from the 3rd week of treatment and tend to become more acute at the end of treatment. CEREBRAL OEDEMA: Radiation on the head can cause headaches, nausea or neurological disorders and dizziness. Most often, these symptoms are due to the increased pressure of the circulating fluid inside the head due to radiotherapy. If you experience any of these symptoms, you must inform your radiation oncologist right away so he/she can give you an appropriate cortisone-based treatment. HAIR LOSS: Around the 3rd week of treatment, patients often lose hair. Most often, hair grows back after a few months. When it grows back, its appearance is more beautiful than before. Avoid unnecessary intrusive hair care (hot water, dies shampoo). The hair is lost only in the area located next to the tumor. SKIN IRRITATION: Your scalp might become red and itchy. Do not apply anything on your scalp before consulting with your radiation oncologist. Protect your skin from the sun. FATIGUE: Feeling tired does not mean that your condition is deteriorating. Possible causes are: the sickness itself, change in your daily activities, weight loss, loss of appetite, anxiety, treatments you may have received (surgery…), or the daily repetition of your treatment. You may or may not experience the above side effects. Most feelings of irritation and congestion will progressively disappear a few weeks after the end of your treatment. Tell the therapeutic radiographers or your radiation oncologist about any unusual feelings you may receive appropriate treatment. Your radiation oncologist will give you the most appropriate treatment for your specific case. Ask him/ her any further question you may have. Related Articles Related Articles 25/08/2023 Bowel and Bladder Preparation for Radiotherapy to the Pelvis The organs within your pelvis, for example the cervix and uterus (female) or prostate (male), will naturally change position, depending on how full your rectum (bowels) and bladder are. 12/08/2022 CANCER Our body is made up of several types of cells which are the fundamental unit of life. These cells grow and in a well-controlled manner produce more cells as they are needed to keep the body healthy. 14/06/2022 Implantable Chamber An implantable chamber (also known as a ‘port’) is a device, placed under the skin in a surgically created pocket, that provides access to your large central veins. 24/09/2021 Covid-19 Vaccination Guide for People with Cancer People with cancer – especially those undergoing treatment – are at high risk for Covid-19 complications. So, don’t wait to get vaccinated. Now’s the time to . . . ‘Take your shot!’ Don’t wait to get the Covid-19 vaccine. Get your shots now. Most patients receiving chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or radiation should get vaccinated […] 25/08/2023 Bowel and Bladder Preparation for Radiotherapy to the Pelvis The organs within your pelvis, for example the cervix and uterus (female) or prostate (male), will naturally change position, depending on how full your rectum (bowels) and bladder are. 12/08/2022 CANCER Our body is made up of several types of cells which are the fundamental unit of life. These cells grow and in a well-controlled manner produce more cells as they are needed to keep the body healthy. 14/06/2022 Implantable Chamber An implantable chamber (also known as a ‘port’) is a device, placed under the skin in a surgically created pocket, that provides access to your large central veins. 24/09/2021 Covid-19 Vaccination Guide for People with Cancer People with cancer – especially those undergoing treatment – are at high risk for Covid-19 complications. So, don’t wait to get vaccinated. Now’s the time to . . . ‘Take your shot!’ Don’t wait to get the Covid-19 vaccine. Get your shots now. Most patients receiving chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or radiation should get vaccinated […]
25/08/2023 Bowel and Bladder Preparation for Radiotherapy to the Pelvis The organs within your pelvis, for example the cervix and uterus (female) or prostate (male), will naturally change position, depending on how full your rectum (bowels) and bladder are.
12/08/2022 CANCER Our body is made up of several types of cells which are the fundamental unit of life. These cells grow and in a well-controlled manner produce more cells as they are needed to keep the body healthy.
14/06/2022 Implantable Chamber An implantable chamber (also known as a ‘port’) is a device, placed under the skin in a surgically created pocket, that provides access to your large central veins.
24/09/2021 Covid-19 Vaccination Guide for People with Cancer People with cancer – especially those undergoing treatment – are at high risk for Covid-19 complications. So, don’t wait to get vaccinated. Now’s the time to . . . ‘Take your shot!’ Don’t wait to get the Covid-19 vaccine. Get your shots now. Most patients receiving chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or radiation should get vaccinated […]
25/08/2023 Bowel and Bladder Preparation for Radiotherapy to the Pelvis The organs within your pelvis, for example the cervix and uterus (female) or prostate (male), will naturally change position, depending on how full your rectum (bowels) and bladder are.
12/08/2022 CANCER Our body is made up of several types of cells which are the fundamental unit of life. These cells grow and in a well-controlled manner produce more cells as they are needed to keep the body healthy.
14/06/2022 Implantable Chamber An implantable chamber (also known as a ‘port’) is a device, placed under the skin in a surgically created pocket, that provides access to your large central veins.
24/09/2021 Covid-19 Vaccination Guide for People with Cancer People with cancer – especially those undergoing treatment – are at high risk for Covid-19 complications. So, don’t wait to get vaccinated. Now’s the time to . . . ‘Take your shot!’ Don’t wait to get the Covid-19 vaccine. Get your shots now. Most patients receiving chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or radiation should get vaccinated […]
