cranial irradiation
Last reviewed 01/2018
Cranial irradiation is used in high dose for intracranial malignancy alone, or in conjunction with surgery and chemotherapy.
It is effective in treating sanctuary sites of leukaemia in the brain.
Side effects include:
- reduced IQ - degradation of short term memory, arithmetic and attention
- hypothalamic pituitary damage - including hypothyroidism, growth hormone deficiency and precocious puberty
These adverse effects are worse:
- with higher doses and increased frequency of therapy
- with young children