effects of radiation to the brain? - Cancer: Lung Message Board

Pukkalina · 01-24-2002, 12:56 AM

My father was diagnosed with Lung cancer back in May of 2001. Since then he has received 35 treatments of radiation and 8 treatments of chemotherapy. Since then the tumor has shrunk from the size of an orange to the size of a dime. Thank God!! Today when we went to the doctor to get the results of the catscans that he got last week, the doctor told us that the tumor cells in his lung appear to be dead cells, but now the cancer has spread to the brain and now there is a tumor inside my fathers brain. The doctor said that since it is the beginning stage of the brain tumor, it can be cured. He prescribed that my father recieve 3 weeks of radiation to the brain. Of course my father and I are very nervous about the idea of radiation to the brain. If there is anyone out there that can tell my any side effects or what to expect of this please respond.
Thank you and God Bless You
Melissa

JanieB · 02-17-2002, 01:37 PM

Dear Melissa,
Radiation to the brain causes the same symptoms as before..Nausea etc.... You can also occur with some memory loss and tiredness.....You will be given drugs to help with this....
Most of all I wish you love and luck...
Take care Honey .. xoxoxox JanieB

JetService · 02-21-2002, 04:27 PM

We asked this very question to my dad's doctor. He said the brain cells are very different from other cells and are fortunately much more resistant to radiation. He said his scalp would take more of a beating than anything. This is what we were told.