You received stereotactic radiosurgery or radiotherapy, a form of radiation therapy that focuses high-powered x-rays onto a small area.
You may have a headache or feel dizzy after your treatment.
If you had pins that held a frame in place, they will be removed before you go home.
If you had anchors placed, they will be taken out when you have received all of your treatments. While the anchors are in place:
Most people go back to their regular activities the next day, if there are no complications such as swelling. Some people are kept in the hospital overnight for monitoring. You may develop black eyes during the week after surgery, but it’s nothing to worry about.
You should be able to eat normal foods after your treatment. Ask your doctor about when to return to work.
You will most likely need to have an MRI, CT scan or angiogram a few weeks or months after the procedure. Your doctor or nurse will schedule your follow-up visit.
Call your doctor if you have:
Gamma knife - discharge; Cyberknife - discharge;; Stereotactic radiotherapy - discharge;Fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy- discharge; Cyclotrons- discharge; Linear accelerator- discharge; Lineacs - discharge; Proton beam radiosurgery - discharge
Ewend MG, Morris DE, Carey LA, Ladha AM, Brem S. Guidelines for the initial management of metastatic brain tumors: role of surgery, radiosurgery, and radiation therapy. J Natl Compr Canc Netw. 2008 May;6(5):505-13;
Romanelli P, Anschel DJ. Radiosurgery for epilepsy. Lancet Neurol. 2006;5:613-620.
Sneed PK, Kased N, Huang K, Rubenstein JL. Brain metastases and neoplastic meningitis. In: Abeloff MD, Armitage JO, Niederhuber JE, Kastan MB, McKena WG, eds. Clinical Oncology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2008:chap 52.
Updated by: Daniel B. Hoch, PhD, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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