Neurologic Complications of Cranial Radiation Therapy and Strategies to Prevent or Reduce Radiation Toxicity

Abstract

Purpose of review: Radiation therapy is an important treatment for patients with brain tumors but can have significant neurologic complications. This review highlights the broad spectrum of short-term and long-term neurologic complications that can occur in patients receiving cranial radiation therapy, and strategies to prevent and treat such complications.

Recent findings: Despite significant improvements in radiotherapy delivery, there are neurologic complications that can result from treatment. With increased recognition and understanding of these neurologic complications, novel strategies to prevent and mitigate them are an area of active research with early promising results. Intensive efforts are ongoing to address the risk of radiation-induced neurocognitive changes through advances in radiation technique and therapies targeting relevant molecular pathways. Neurologic complications from radiation therapy are an important consideration in counseling, treatment, and post-treatment management of patients with brain tumors.

Keywords: Necrosis; Neurocognitive changes; Radiation injury; Radiation toxicity.