What should you know about whole-brain radiotherapy for brain metastases?

Brain metastases are cancer deposits that have travelled to the brain from another part of the body. Whole-brain treatment aims radiation at the brain as a whole, which can address visible deposits and very small areas that may not yet be clear on a scan. The radiation team plans the position, field, and schedule around your diagnosis and general health.

Treatment does not require an operation. A planning appointment may include imaging and a custom head position so each session can be reproduced. For a small number of clearly defined deposits, [Stereotactic Radiosurgery](/treatments/radiation-oncology/stereotactic-radiosurgery/) may be considered instead or alongside other care. The [Brain Metastases](/conditions/brain-metastases/) page explains the condition.

Tell the radiation team about medicines, previous radiation, implanted devices, pregnancy possibility, headaches, seizures, or changes in strength, speech, vision, or balance. Keep each appointment even if symptoms improve, because planning and review are part of safe treatment.

During a session, you lie still while the machine delivers radiation from outside the body. The treatment itself is usually brief, but positioning and checks take additional time. Hair thinning or loss, tiredness, scalp irritation, and nausea can occur; your team can suggest skin care, rest, and medicines for specific symptoms.

Seek urgent medical help for a seizure, sudden weakness, new confusion, severe or rapidly worsening headache, repeated vomiting, difficulty speaking, or a marked change in alertness. Contact your oncology team promptly for fever, worsening balance, persistent nausea, or symptoms that interfere with eating, drinking, or taking prescribed medicines.

Ask what the treatment is intended to achieve, how the schedule will be organised, what symptoms should be reported the same day, and which medicines can help. Ask whether focused treatment is suitable, how your other cancer treatment fits around radiation, and when your response will be reviewed.