bella29
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Posts:1
Hi,
My father was diagnsoed with small cell lung cancer - extensive in January this year. He completed 4 rounds of chemo and was then advised to have preventative radiotherapy to the brain.
It has been 2 months since the radiotherapy to the brain and he is constantly dizzy and unsteady on his feet. Is this something that will continue or will subside with time? If it is to subside- how much longer will he endure dizziness and unsteadiness?
Thank you for your advice in advance.
Forums
Reply # - July 17, 2012, 07:41 AM
Reply To: Brain Radiotherpay
Hello Bella, I'm so sorry your father is going through all this. There is a lot written on this because by now you are expecting all the side effects to be gone. However it can take up to several months to subside. I'll link to some posts in a few minutes that cover this subject.
Janine
forum moderator
Reply # - July 17, 2012, 08:02 AM
Reply To: Brain Radiotherpay
Bella, it doesn't matter if the reference is to whole brain radiation or prophylactic brain radiation. They are essentially the same thing, one given when brain tumors are present and one given because sclc is so likely to spread to the brain. At the bottom of the first link, a blog you will find more links to similar topics.
http://cancergrace.org/radiation/2010/09/13/radiation-faq-what-side-eff…
http://cancergrace.org/lung/topic/side-effects-of-wbr/ This link has a great answer from one of our member's own experience, certain spring said,
"Hi Shelly. I’m sorry to hear that your mother is having such a tough time.
I can only offer my own experience. I had WBR on dx, aged 46. The fatigue peaked at 6-8 weeks after the treatment ended. I slept for several hours each day, usually from about 4-6pm. I guess everyone’s definition of “extreme” will differ, but that was extreme by my standards. I could not read or concentrate, and I certainly didn’t want to speak to anyone on the phone.
After a couple of months I started to feel better, but slowly. I am now two years out and feel as good as I have done since dx."
I hope this helps,
Janine
Reply # - July 17, 2012, 06:16 PM
Reply To: Brain Radiotherpay
Yes, it's really quite variable, but most typically, the brain radiation symptoms tend to improve over weeks to a few months. I certainly hope he's feeling better soon.
We tend to see worse side effects in people who receive prophylactic cranial radiation over a relatively short course. Do you know the time frame over which the treatment was done?
-Dr. West