Radiation in the brain is done to shrink and hopefully eradicate tumors in the brain. After effects will appear in stages, with some arriving a few weeks into treatment and others continuing after treatment ends. Some of the more serious side effects don't become obvious until years after radiation is complete. It is important to weigh the potentially life-saving benefits of brain radiation against these side effects to determine if treatment is worthwhile, and to know what to look for in order to decide when to seek medical attention.
Difficulty Eating & Weight Loss
Many patients begin to experience some side effects within a week or two of treatment, according to the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA)'s website, Radiologyinfo.org. Food beginning to taste differently, together with a sore throat and dry mouth, are common early side effects. These symptoms make eating difficult, and as a result weight loss is common. Unfortunately, too much weight loss can compromise your treatment, and as a result it is likely that your doctors will create a plan to help you gain and maintain weight. The good news is that these symptoms usually disappear just a few months after radiation treatments are complete.
Fatigue
Fatigue is a common problem that usually appears two or three weeks after brain radiation has begun. Exhaustion usually peaks after a few weeks, then gradually subsides anywhere from two to six weeks after radiation treatment ends. The Radiation Medical Group website (Rmgmed.com) states that fatigue is exacerbated by weight loss, and recommends adding nutritional supplement drinks and high-calorie foods to your diet to help gain weight and keep it on during the course of your treatment.
Memory Impairment
Memory loss, in addition to difficulty speaking, are symptoms that can appear one to two years after treatment has ended according to the American Cancer Society. The site states that many of these symptoms mimic those of a stroke, and are more common when radiation is performed on the entire brain as opposed to just a small section of it. They are the result of brain tissue destruction caused by radiation.
Brain Radiation & Children
Brain radiation is only an option of last resort for children younger than age three, according to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital website. Although radiation can successfully eliminate the brain tumor, the risk for damage to their brain and central nervous system is high. The website cites a National Cancer Institute survey of pediatric brain cancer survivors, which states that almost three-quarters of children under the age of three treated with radiation required specialized education or a learning-disabled classroom.
