Side Effects of Brain Cancer Treatment
Brain cancer treatments can cause a range of physical, emotional, and cognitive side effects, which vary depending on the type of treatment, tumour location, and individual response.
Why Brain Cancer Treatment Causes Side Effects
Receiving a cancer diagnosis can be extremely overwhelming. Treatment and associated side effects can further increase the physical and emotional burden. Having the right physical, emotional, and psychological support during this time can significantly reduce the overall burden and help improve quality of life. It is common to feel a mix of hope and apprehension when starting treatment, but understanding what to expect can help you feel more in control.
Side effects from treatment can occur because many brain cancer treatments affect both tumour cells and nearby healthy tissue. Surgery may influence the areas of the brain responsible for certain functions, while treatments such as radiotherapy (radiation treatment), chemotherapy, and immunotherapy can also impact normal cells beyond just cancer cells.
Every patient experiences side effects differently, even when receiving the same treatment. This variation depends on factors such as overall health, tumour location, and treatment type. Some side effects develop during treatment and improve afterwards, while others may appear months or years later. While some side effects may become more noticeable toward the end of your treatment course, many patients find that their acute side effects begin to stabilise or improve after treatment finishes, although recovery can vary between individuals.
Types of Treatment and Common Side Effects
Brain tumour treatment is tailored to your diagnosis, tumour type and individual circumstances. While every treatment has potential side effects, your healthcare team will work with you to minimise them and help you manage any symptoms throughout your care.
Surgery can be used for both malignant and benign brain tumours, as even non-cancerous masses can cause pressure-related symptoms within the rigid space of the skull. Surgery is often the first step in treatment, with the aim to remove as much of the tumour as safely possible. While surgery can relieve pressure quickly, it carries a risk of causing new neurological deficits, particularly when tumours are located near critical brain regions.
Your radiation oncologist will develop a specific treatment plan to target the tumour. The most common form is external beam radiation therapy, where a radiation therapist operates a machine that delivers precisely targeted radiation beams to the tumour. While the goal is to kill cancer cells, the surrounding tissue can be affected. Before each session, careful positioning ensures radiation is delivered as accurately as possible to the tumour while minimising exposure to surrounding healthy tissue.
- Common Effects: You may experience hair loss or notice your scalp becomes sensitive in the area being treated. Hair loss usually occurs in the area being treated and may begin to regrow several weeks to months after treatment ends, although this is not always complete.
- Specific Areas: If the whole brain requires treatment, fatigue and memory changes are more common. If the pituitary gland is within the radiation field, it may affect hormone production, which can impact growth, energy levels, and other body functions over time.
Systemic therapies like chemotherapy and immunotherapy work throughout the body to target cancer cells, including those that may remain after surgery or are not visible on scans.
- Monitoring: Your radiation oncology team or medical oncologist will order regular blood tests to monitor your white blood cell count and organ function.
- Side Effects: Common short-term side effects may include nausea, fatigue, and increased risk of infection due to lowered blood counts. Medications can help manage many of these symptoms.
Ways to Manage Side Effects of Brain Cancer Treatment
Management of brain tumour treatment side effects is a critical component of care designed to improve a patient’s quality of life by addressing physical, emotional, and functional changes. Side effects vary based on the tumour location and treatment type. A multidisciplinary approach is often necessary, combining medications, rehabilitation therapies, psychological support, lifestyle adjustments, and integrative care approaches.
Complementary therapies for managing brain cancer treatment side effects
Complementary therapies, when used alongside conventional cancer treatments, may help manage psychological distress and improve wellbeing during treatment. Mind–body approaches such as hypnosis, guided imagery, cognitive behavioural therapy, yoga, and tai chi may help manage psychological distress and improve overall wellbeing during cancer treatment.. These practices have been associated with improvements in mood and reductions in stress and anxiety for some patients.
Other complementary therapies, including massage-based approaches such as aromatherapy, acupressure, Swedish massage, and reflexology, may help promote relaxation and reduce symptoms such as anxiety, pain or fatigue in some patients. Another example is music therapy, which is sometimes used to support emotional wellbeing during cancer treatment. Research suggests it may help reduce anxiety, promote relaxation, and improve quality of life for some patients, including those undergoing brain surgery. It is important to note that complementary therapies are intended to support, not replace, standard medical treatment.
Diet, lifestyle and supplementation for managing brain cancer treatment side effects
In certain cases, vitamins, dietary supplements, or botanical products may be considered to support nutrition, especially during periods of weight loss, low energy, or fatigue. However, it is important to discuss these with your healthcare team to ensure they are safe and do not interfere with cancer treatments.
Your healthcare team may also recommend lifestyle modifications tailored to your needs to help manage side effects and support overall wellbeing during treatment. These may include supervised physical activity, psychological support, stress-management strategies, and sleep optimisation. Evidence shows that structured exercise programs can help reduce treatment-related fatigue and improve physical functioning, while psychosocial interventions can help lessen anxiety and depression and enhance quality of life.
It is of utmost importance to report any symptoms requiring urgent attention to your healthcare team. Regular monitoring of changes in your overall health and brain function, and keeping track of these changes, can help your healthcare team identify and address issues early, before they worsen.
Maintaining a log of symptoms is highly recommended, as it ensures that important details are not missed during appointments with your oncologist.
Depending on the severity and nature of the side effects, your oncologist may escalate care by referring you to an appropriate specialist for urgent management. For example, neurological symptoms should be promptly referred to a neurologist, who can assess and manage these complications effectively and without delay.
Questions to Ask Your Care Team
Understanding and managing side effects is a key part of your brain cancer treatment journey. Asking your care team clear, focused questions helps you know what to expect, how to reduce or cope with symptoms, and when to seek medical attention. The questions below can help to guide your discussion so you feel more informed and in control of your treatment.
Which side effects am I most likely to experience?
How can side effects be reduced or managed?
Which symptoms require immediate attention?
Are there supportive therapies or medications I should know about?
Is there anything I can do to minimise the chances of developing late or long-term side effects?
What precautions should I take during and after treatment?
How will my side effects be monitored over time?
Disclaimer: All Cure Brain Cancer Foundation website content is created and published online for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. You should seek your own medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health professionals.
Our Support Hub provides practical information to help you manage treatment side effects and symptoms, as well as guidance, support and resources for people living with brain cancer, their families and carers.
References
- Ee C, Kay S, Reynolds A, Lovato N, Lacey J, Koczwara B. Lifestyle and integrative oncology interventions for cancer-related fatigue and sleep disturbances. Maturitas. 2024 Sep;187:108056. doi: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2024.108056. Epub 2024 Jun 21. PMID: 38981156.
- Ford E, Catt S, Chalmers A, Fallowfield L. Systematic review of supportive care needs in patients with primary malignant brain tumors. Neuro Oncol. 2012 Apr;14(4):392-404. doi: 10.1093/neuonc/nor229. Epub 2012 Feb 3. PMID: 22307475; PMCID: PMC3309849.
- Palmer, J.B., Lane, D., Mayo, D., Schluchter, M., Leeming, R., Demiris, G. and Sommers, M. (2010) ‘Effects of music therapy on anesthesia requirements and anxiety in patients undergoing brain surgery: a randomized controlled trial’, Journal of Clinical Neuroscience, 17(3), pp. 387–390.
- Satija, A., & Bhatnagar, S. (2017, Oct-Dec). Complementary Therapies for Symptom Management in Cancer Patients. Indian J Palliat Care, 23(4), 468-479. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijpc.Ijpc_100_17