ABSTRACT
Treatment-induced central nervous system (CNS) toxicity has been acknowledged for a long time. Transitory cognitive disturbances primarily affecting short-term memory and attention were identified in 36% of patients with CNS tumors receiving 54.0–55.8 Gy in 1.8 Gy-fractions; usually, abnormalities are found at Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Radio-induced temporal lobe necrosis can affect cognitive functions, such as memory and verbal ability. Early disruptions in blood–brain barrier are likely responsible for the vasogenic edema seen in the acute, albeit mostly transient and reversible forms of radiation toxicity consist of fatigue, dizziness, headache, seizures, vomiting and behavioral change. Baseline hearing assessment is fundamental to determine sensorineural hearing loss as a side effect of the received treatment: Pre- and post-radiation therapy audiometric evaluations of both ears should always be performed to avoid any selection bias – patients with subjective hearing complaints might be more compliant than those without.
