Radiation Therapy for Brain Cancer

Possible Side Effects

• Side effects from radiation can include fatigue, hair loss where you received radiation, scalp irritation and muffled hearing. These will usually resolve a month or so after treatment. However, your hair might not grow back exactly as it was before treatment.
• Radiation may also cause some short term memory loss and difficulty thinking.
• Side effects are different for each patient. Medications may be prescribed to make you as comfortable as possible.
• If at any time during your treatment you feel discomfort, tell your doctor or nurse. They can prescribe medicine to make you feel better.

Be sure to talk to your radiation oncologist before you start treatment, to make sure you understand what side effects are common for your treatment and how to best handle them.