my nan

Ellenholmes · New User Joined: 31 Mar 2006 Posts: 2 Location: norwich

my nan had just had it confirmed that the brain tumours is cancer. she will be undergoing raditationtherapy next month. i know she will lose her hair what other symptons may affect her.

rlee · Site Admin Joined: 15 Jan 2006 Posts: 245

Here's some info I got from a website

RLee, MD

http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/HPI/CancerManagementGuidelines/NeuroOncology/InfoSheet.htm

Treatments/Side Effects
Radiation treatments are given once a day, Monday to Friday, over several weeks. Most treatment visits take between ten to twenty minutes; the actual treatment time is only a few minutes. Most people do not experience any physical sensation during treatment. Your radiation treatments do not make you radioactive.

The treatment can also affect normal cells and may produce a variety of side effects depending on the amount of radiation given and the size and location of the area treated. The common side effects of radiation treatment to the brain are due to swelling of the tissues in and around the tumour. They include, but are not limited to, the following:

Fatigue: Mild fatigue is a common side effect of radiation therapy. A nap during the day should restore your energy level, if necessary. Treatment-induced fatigue usually resolves within 4-8 weeks after treatment. Persistent, excessive fatigue or decreased consciousness should be reported to your doctor.
Headache: Radiation-related brain swelling can cause headaches which should be reported to your therapist or radiation oncologist, especially if you have headaches in the morning or headaches associated with nausea and vomiting or worsening of neurologic symptoms, or if a preexisting headache becomes more severe or more frequent. If you are taking Dexamethasone (Decadron), continue to do so as prescribed, but it is likely that the dosage will need to be adjusted and rapid control of symptoms can be expected.

Nausea and Vomiting: may indicate significant brain swelling. Medications can be prescribed to settle the stomach or the Decadron may be adjusted.

Changes in Sensation and Movement: If you experience any of the following: a change in vision, hearing or speech; a change in the feeling in the face, trunk, arms or legs; an abrupt change of bowel or bladder habit; weakness of the arms or legs; unsteady walk; seizure or "blackouts"; or any other changes, you may require important changes in your medication.

Loss of Hair: Hair follicles are very sensitive to radiation. Gradual hair loss from the area being radiated will be noticed between four to six weeks after the start of radiation. This may be temporary (with re-growth within three to six months) or permanent, depending on the amount of radiation received. Skin care instructions will be given to you.
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RLee, MD

Any information provided is NOT intended to provide specific medical advice to users but rather to provide users with information to help them better understand their health condition and related care. All readers are strongly encouraged to consult with a qualified physician for answers to their personal medical questions.

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