Whole Brain Radiation Not Best for Cancer That Has Spread

(HealthDay News) - The common practice of adding whole brain radiation to more focused radiation treatment for cancers that have spread to the brain not only caused greater learning and memory problems, but also was associated with a shorter survival time in a controlled study.

The survival time data should be approached with caution, because the primary purpose of the study was to help settle a debate about the effects of whole brain radiation on mental function, said study author Dr. Eric L. Chang, an associate professor of radiation oncology at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. He presented the results Sept. 22 at the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology annual meeting, in Boston.

source: CBC News