Side effects in children who receive cranial XRT
What are some of the other adverse effects that may be encountered in children who receive cranial XRT?
- Transient somnolence, headaches, and anorexia 6 to 8 weeks after initiation of XRT are common.
- Radiation necrosis (radionecrosis) may occur 1 to 3 years post-XRT and can mimic a mass effect, making it difficult to distinguish tumor recurrence from radionecrosis. Pathologically the lesion involves hyalinization of blood vessels with infarction and necrosis of brain tissue.
- Hypothalamic–pituitary dysfunction, which usually involves decreased production of growth hormone and thyroid-stimulating hormone.
- Formation of cataracts if the ocular globes were exposed to radiation.
- Induction of a second malignancy that may appear years later.
