Skip to main content More Search Options A member of our team
will call you back within one business day. The goal of
radiation therapy is to slow or help control tumor growth. It
uses painless x-rays to destroy tumor cells. Radiation therapy
can be used alone or with other types of treatment. If your
doctor has selected radiation therapy for you, you may have
traditional radiation or stereotactic radiosurgery. There are
two main forms of traditional radiation therapy: focused and
whole brain. Treatment is given in the same manner for both
types, but their risks and side effects differ. Your experience
for both may be as follows: You may wear a facemask to keep your
head from moving. Small marks may be made on your head to focus
the x-rays. A large machine will send x-rays from several
directions. Your treatment will be given in a series, such as 5
days a week for 4–7 weeks. X-rays are aimed at the tumor and the
area right around it. Short-term side effects and risks are
brain swelling, fatigue, nausea, heada