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Typically, treatment for brain radionecrosis begins when the patient
first complains of symptoms. Usually, steroids are given, and
if they do not work, the injured part of the brain is removed by
surgery.
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Steroids have been shown to reduce swelling in the brain, but how
this happens is not fully understood. Doctors believe that steroids help
by reducing the amount of liquid that can be transported into the
brain to cause swelling. This helps to restore normal transfer of
chemicals between the brain and the blood.
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For patients who aren't helped
by initial steroid therapy, the doses of steroids are increased
until the symptoms of brain radionecrosis are stabilized or controlled.
This course of treatment is limited because the very high doses
of steroids needed by some patients cannot be continued long term
without significantly increasing the risk of side effects. Common
side effects for long term use of steroids include:
• internal bleeding
• glucose intolerance
• suppression of the immune system
• weight gain
• weakness
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