Hi Dr. Landolfi;
Here is the next question from the group. First though, I want to pass on the sincere "thanks" expressed by many of the group members for your assistance.
This weeks question deals with radiation - that is the prescribed treatment after surgery for many of us
What are the problems, and why can they occur years after cranial radiation? After how many "dormant" years can these affects appear?
Thank you (as always)
Bruce
The doctor's response...
There are early, delayed and late effects of radiation. They occur because radiation is damaging to the dna of normal brain cells as well as to the bloprod vessels of the brain.
Early(while on treatment) effects may be swelling.
Delayed(months to a year after treatment) may be memory problems,, confusional stateseven stroke (occurs with whole brain radiation, not the focal radiation many of you receive)
Late(years later) effects can also be memory trouble or something called radiation necrosis-where the tumor cells are replaced by dead tissue, this can cause swelling and sometimes needs to be removed surgically if it does not respond to steroids. This occurs and average of 18 months after treatment.
Dr. Landolfi