What to expect from stereotactic radiosurgery for a brain tumour

Stereotactic radiosurgery delivers concentrated radiation to a defined brain tumour without making a surgical cut. Planning uses high-resolution imaging to map the tumour and nearby structures. A fitted mask or positioning system helps keep your head still. The machine then directs radiation from carefully selected angles; the team monitors you and communicates with you throughout.

Depending on tumour size, position, type and your wider treatment plan, treatment may happen in one visit or across several visits. You are generally awake, although a medicine for anxiety or another form of support may be discussed. Effects are not always immediate, so follow-up examinations and scans are used to track the response and check for treatment-related swelling.

Share your full medicine list and tell the team about previous radiation, implanted devices, allergies, pregnancy or problems lying still. Ask about food, drink and medicines before the appointment. Plan how you will travel home, particularly if you receive a sedating medicine.

Keep follow-up appointments and take prescribed medicines as instructed. Fatigue, headache or nausea may occur temporarily. Before driving, working or exercising, confirm what is suitable for you; the answer depends on symptoms, medicines and the treatment plan.

Call your treatment team urgently about a new seizure, worsening headache, repeated vomiting, new weakness, confusion, speech difficulty, vision change or problems with balance. Sudden collapse, loss of consciousness or a seizure that continues needs emergency assistance. Do not wait for the next scheduled appointment when neurological symptoms are new or rapidly worsening.

Ask why this approach is recommended, how many visits are expected, what the scan plan will be, whether medicines such as steroids are needed, and which activities should be limited during recovery.