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Date issued:  June 2022

For review: June 2024

Ref: A-370/LD/Oncology/Radiotherapy for skull base tumours v2

PDF: Radiotherapy for skull base tumours final June 2020.pdf[pdf] 150KB

Radiotherapy for Skull Base Tumours

Radiotherapy is normally used for those patients with malignant disease. However within the field of neurosciences it is also used routinely for treating and helping to control the growth of benign tumours such as meningioma and vestibular schwannoma (acoustic neuroma).

Control of these types of benign tumours with radiotherapy can be very successful.  Radiotherapy can be used in a number of situations:

• When the tumour is small.

• Is in a location whereby surgery is not possible.

• If there is residual tumour left after surgical intervention.

• When a patient’s health does not allow surgical    intervention.

The type of radiotherapy that you may be offered will depend on your particular situation.

• This could be in the form of a single fraction treatment Stereotactic radiosurgery otherwise known as SRS.

• Conventional radiotherapy treatment over a number of weeks.  

The form of treatment will be discussed and decided with you when you meet with the Consultant Oncologist.

The Oncologist will discuss risks on an individual basis taking into consideration your particular circumstances.  There may be risks to particular structures close to the tumour site being treated due to the radiation beams. 

There are side effects associated with radiotherapy which may vary dependent on your tumour location and size.  These side effects may be short term or in some situations can have some longer term implications.

Tiredness can be the main side effect of radiotherapy and this can continue for a number of weeks after completion of treatment. 

You may have some hair loss in the area of treatment and this may or may not be permanent.

If you develop headache and or nausea the team will prescribe appropriate mediation to help relieve the symptoms.

Once it has been decided to go ahead with radiotherapy treatment there will be some planning by the team that needs to take place. This can involve another MRI and an appointment to have a mask fitted for treatment, where you will get to meet the team members and go through any concerns that may have arisen since your consultant appointment. 

See leaflets: South West StaRs Unit and Radiotherapy information for patients and families.