Side effects from radiotherapy on the brain are common. The exact side effects depend on the part of the brain that has been treated. Sometimes the spine as well as the brain is treated and this adds to the possible side effects.

Some side effects happen immediately, some happen soon after treatment is finished – these usually settle within a few months. ‘Late’ effects may not appear until months or even years after treatment has ended and so are called late side effects. Late side effects are also long-term side effects because they will never fully recover, but they do need attention from health care professionals.

Radiotherapy can cause problems with the endocrine system, which controls growth, puberty, development, breast feeding, and fertility. On top of this, the chemotherapy given can affect the glands around the body, again affecting fertility, kidney impairment, and cause heart toxicity.