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Long term effects brain radiation

Posted by hbk @hbk, Oct 9, 2022

20+ yr survivor olio fully resected left frontal lobe. Right side weakness progression due to scar tissue white matter spread. New chronic pain in right hip joint/top of thigh when standing with numbness in foot. All mris of (brain, back, hip) and nerve testing clear. Trying gabapentin and now cymbalta. Neurologist thinks brain v muscular related. Any ideas?

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Amanda Roe | @amandajro | Oct 11, 2022

Hello @hbk and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. First, congratulations on 20 years! I see you are having some residual symptoms following your resection as well as new chronic pain.

Thank goodness your MRIs are all clear as well! Is your foot only numb when you are standing? What sort of explanation along the lines of brain vs. muscular did your neurologist provide for additional information and next steps aside from the medication change?

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hbk | @hbk | Oct 11, 2022

Thanks for this. For my husband.
Beyond meds, lots of PT and personal training. Nothing seems to resolve the pain. Neurologist perplexed and thinks possibly long term effect of radiation. Numbness when wearing shoes or sitting/standing in one place for a while.

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Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Oct 18, 2022
In reply to @hbk "Thanks for this. For my husband. Beyond meds, lots of PT and personal training. Nothing seems..." + (show)
@hbk

Thanks for this. For my husband.
Beyond meds, lots of PT and personal training. Nothing seems to resolve the pain. Neurologist perplexed and thinks possibly long term effect of radiation. Numbness when wearing shoes or sitting/standing in one place for a while.

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@hbk, radiation can have late or delayed effects. Hip joint pain or numbness is not mentioned in this article that I found:
- Delayed complications of cranial irradiation https://www.uptodate.com/contents/delayed-complications-of-cranial-irradiation

I'm not a doctor, but I wonder if the limb or joint pain might be result of a cerebrovascular effect like stroke. You mention that he is having weakness due to scar tissue or necrosis. Might there be a relationship?

Have you and your husband considered getting a second opinion?

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hbk | @hbk | Nov 3, 2022

Thanks ever so much for your note. Yes scar tissue related. He’s been on cymbalta now and it seems to be working!!!

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