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By Antin. Side effects of brain cancer treatment depend on the treatment plan and patient’s condition. Treatment plans should include a discussion of potential side effects that may occur during brain cancer treatment.

Brain cancer treatment plain always tries to keep all side effects to a minimum. The side effects of brain cancer treatment can be severe for some patients, so the patients and their caregivers (family or friend) can make appropriate treatment decisions in conjunction with their medical team. They should have knowledge of side effects and what to do about them such as when to take certain medicines or when to call their doctor.

Side effects of surgical treatment include damage to normal brain tissue, seizures, brain swelling, and an increase in current symptoms. Other side effects are changes in brain functions such as mental changes, muscle weakness, and decreases in any brain-controlled function. Combinations of these side effects may happen. The side effects are most noticeable shortly after surgery but frequently decline with time. Occasionally, the side effects do not decline.

Chemotherapy usually affects (kills) rapidly growing brain cancer cells. In fact, chemotherapy can also affect normal tissue. Common side effects of chemotherapy are depressed immune system, nausea, vomiting, hair loss, and loss of energy. Impaired immune system increases the risk to infections. Damage to kidneys and reproductive organs are other side effects that may occur.

Most of Radiation side effects are the same as chemotherapy. Usually radiation is focused onto the brain cancer tissue, so some systems do not receive direct radiation. Body systems that do not receive direct radiation usually not as severe as those seen with chemotherapy. Common side effects of radiation are hair loss (sometimes permanently) and reddish and darkened skin that needs protection from the sun.