Following surgery for a tumor (craniotomy or spinal surgery), most surgeons wait ≈ 7–10 days before instituting XRT to the surgical site (allows initiation of healing from surgery).
CNS tumors that are very radiosensitive include:
1. lymphoma – they “melt away” with XRT but tend to recur later
2. germ cell tumors
3. metastatic small cell lung cancer
See the appropriate section for specific indications and doses
For side effects, see Radiation injury and necrosis