What to expect from radiotherapy for glioblastoma

A planning appointment creates a mask or other support so your head stays in the same position. Imaging helps the team target the area around the tumour while limiting radiation to healthy brain tissue. During each visit you lie still while the machine moves around you; the beam is not felt and staff can see and hear you.

Tiredness, headaches, nausea and scalp irritation may occur. Hair in the treated area may thin or fall out and may not return in the same way. Swelling around the tumour can temporarily worsen symptoms, so take steroids or other medicines exactly as directed and never change them without advice.

Bring an up-to-date medicine list and report headaches, seizures, weakness, speech changes or balance problems at review visits. Rest between activities, drink as advised, protect the scalp from sun and harsh products, and ask before driving if seizures, vision changes or sedating medicines affect you. Keep taking anti-seizure or steroid medicines according to the written plan.

Contact your team promptly for a new or worsening headache, repeated vomiting, increasing drowsiness, fever, or a seizure. Call emergency services for a seizure that does not stop, sudden one-sided weakness, severe confusion, collapse or difficulty breathing. Keep the oncology unit’s urgent number available at home.

Ask how the scan and mask are made, how radiotherapy fits with surgery or chemotherapy, which symptoms may signal brain swelling, and when medicines will be reviewed. Ask about work, driving, memory, fatigue and support at home.