Radiation Therapy
Some patients have nausea for several hours after treatment. The
health care team can suggest ways to help patients cope with this
problem. Radiation therapy also may cause patients to become very
tired as treatment continues. Resting is important, but doctors
usually advise patients to try to stay as active as they can.
In addition, radiation therapy commonly causes hair loss. Hair
usually grows back within a few months. Radiation therapy also may
affect the skin in the treated area. The scalp and ears may become
red, dry, and tender. The health care team can suggest ways to relieve
these problems.
Sometimes radiation therapy causes brain tissue to swell.
Patients may get a headache or feel pressure. The health care team
watches for signs of this problem. They can provide medicine to reduce
the discomfort.
Radiation sometimes kills healthy brain tissue. This side effect
is called radiation necrosis.
Necrosis can cause headaches, seizures, or even the patient's death.
In children, radiation may damage the pituitary gland and other areas
of the brain. This could cause learning problems or slow down growth and
development. In addition, radiation during childhood increases the risk
of secondary tumors later in life. Researchers are studying whether
chemotherapy may be used instead of radiation therapy in young children
with brain tumors.
Side effects may be worse if chemotherapy and radiation therapy are
given at the same time. The doctor can suggest ways to ease these
problems.
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