Anyone had radiation on the brain for small cell lung cancer?

Posted by shirley71 @shirley71, Oct 19, 2025

Has anyone had radiation on the brain for preventive small cell lung cancer if they haven't found any cancer what was your experience with it

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@shirley71 , Radiation to the brain can be very effective, but like with any treatment there can be serious side effects. Stereotactic radiation is designed to treat a specific area. With whole-brain radiation "side effects may include fatigue, nausea, skin reaction, headache and hair loss. Long-term, whole-brain radiation may cause decline in thinking and memory."
From: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/brain-metastases/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350140
I would have to think long and hard if someone recommended whole brain radiation for me. None of us know the details of your medical situation like your doctors. They know you best. We can't recommend or tell you what to do. Do you have a doctor who is recommending radiation? Are there no areas of concern on the MRI?

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@shirley71
I had preventative brain radiation and the face mask made me a little anxious and did take a xanax to relax me. Other than that, nothing consequential to mention. Have scans every 3 months and brain MRI every 6 months. Had brain radiation before I started immunotherapy. I decided to have it done because I wanted to try everything I could to fight the cancer.

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Profile picture for ralpg2024 @ralpg2024

@shirley71
I had preventative brain radiation and the face mask made me a little anxious and did take a xanax to relax me. Other than that, nothing consequential to mention. Have scans every 3 months and brain MRI every 6 months. Had brain radiation before I started immunotherapy. I decided to have it done because I wanted to try everything I could to fight the cancer.

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@ralpg2024 Thank you. May i ask if you are anywhere close to my age. 72. They say the side effects are more likely to happen the older you are.

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Profile picture for ralpg2024 @ralpg2024

@shirley71
I had preventative brain radiation and the face mask made me a little anxious and did take a xanax to relax me. Other than that, nothing consequential to mention. Have scans every 3 months and brain MRI every 6 months. Had brain radiation before I started immunotherapy. I decided to have it done because I wanted to try everything I could to fight the cancer.

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@ralpg2024 i had to have the mask on twice the mask really didn't shake me up i had seen one my brother had to use for his cancer , but he did this so many times that it didn't bother him, he was a Marine. i don't like it especially as tight as they have to put it on but understand the not moving part. im like you trying everything to beat the cancer. Well god Bless and have a great day.

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Profile picture for shirley71 @shirley71

@ralpg2024 Thank you. May i ask if you are anywhere close to my age. 72. They say the side effects are more likely to happen the older you are.

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@shirley71
I'm 69 and just got bumped up to every 6 months checkup .

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Profile picture for shirley71 @shirley71

@ralpg2024 Thank you. May i ask if you are anywhere close to my age. 72. They say the side effects are more likely to happen the older you are.

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@shirley71 i’m 78. I was 75 when i had my surgery and started on Alectanib

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Profile picture for shirley71 @shirley71

@ralpg2024 Thank you. May i ask if you are anywhere close to my age. 72. They say the side effects are more likely to happen the older you are.

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@shirley71, thank you

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