GammaTile

Patient story: a brain tumor diagnosis doesn’t have to mean hair loss

Shannan
Real GammaTile® Patient

Brain Tumor Treatment and Hair Loss: What Patients Should Know

Hair loss can be one of the most visible and emotionally difficult side effects of brain tumor treatment. For many patients, it’s more than just a cosmetic change – it’s a reminder of their diagnosis, something they see every time they look in the mirror.

Understanding why hair loss happens, what to expect, and what treatment options may reduce it can empower patients and caregivers to make informed decisions.

Shannan’s Story: A Journey Through Treatment and Recovery

Eleven years after her first brain tumor diagnosis, Shannan stood in front of the mirror, watching clumps of hair fall from her scalp. “They told me at the beginning there would be hair loss,” she said. “But I had no idea how much.”

Her journey began in 2003 with surgery, followed by oral chemotherapy. In 2013, she underwent a second surgery, and in 2014 received traditional external beam radiation and chemotherapy. Alongside extreme fatigue, one of the most difficult side effects she experienced was significant hair loss.

“I lost so much hair, my husband used to joke about following me around with a vacuum,” she recalls.

Hair loss, also known as alopecia, can have a serious impact on a patient’s emotional well-being and self-image. While it’s a common side effect of many cancer treatments, it’s especially common and often more severe in brain tumor patients due to the location and intensity of treatment.1

Why Hair Loss Happens During Brain Tumor Treatment

Hair loss from brain tumor treatment usually happens because radiation or chemotherapy damages hair follicles. In traditional external beam radiation therapy – especially when directed at the scalp – hair can fall out in patches or clumps.

Here’s what patients should know:1,2

  • Hair loss often begins 2 to 4 weeks after starting treatment
  • Regrowth typically begins 3 to 6 months after treatment ends
  • Radiation dose, treatment type, and location all influence hair loss severity

Some patients explore options like scalp cooling caps or topical treatments to reduce hair loss, but results can vary.

A Different Approach: Shannan’s Experience with GammaTile Brain Tumor Treatment

In 2019, Shannan’s tumor returned. This time, her doctor introduced a different option: GammaTile®*, a tile-based radiation therapy placed at the time of tumor removal surgery.

“He said there’s been a lot of success with this type of radiation therapy and I would not really have any hair loss,” Shannan said. “I was really interested.”

Unlike traditional radiation that passes through healthy brain tissue, this treatment delivers radiation exactly where it’s needed – at the tumor site – helping to spare healthy areas of the brain and avoid some of the most difficult side effects.

Shannan didn’t experience the severe hair loss and fatigue she’d faced before. In her words, it was her “best and easiest recovery to date.” “Just hearing there was another type of treatment possible gave me hope,” she said.

In a clinical study, only 1 out of 74 patients treated with GammaTile experienced hair loss.3

What Patients Should Ask Their Doctor About Brain Tumor Treatment and Hair Loss

Every treatment has its pros and cons. If you or your loved one is facing brain tumor treatment, consider asking your care team:

  • Will this treatment cause hair loss?
  • Are there options that reduce the risk of hair loss?
  • Will this therapy limit my ability to receive other treatments later?
  • Are there treatments available that target the tumor without damaging healthy brain tissue?

You Have Options

If you’re concerned about hair loss during brain tumor treatment, you’re not alone – and you’re not without choices. Talk to your doctor about all available options, including therapies that may minimize hair loss while still effectively treating the tumor.

The information on this page is intended to be a helpful resource for understanding brain tumor treatment and hair loss. However, it is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with your doctor or healthcare provider to determine the best treatment plan for your specific condition.

Next: Read brain tumor frequently asked questions.

For more information about GammaTile, contact us or
find a GammaTile provider near you.
* GammaTile is indicated as a treatment for patients with newly diagnosed malignant (cancerous) brain tumors and patients with recurrent brain tumors.
REFERENCE: 1. Phillips GS, Freret ME, Novetsky Friedman D, et al. Assessment and treatment outcomes of persistant radiation-induced alopecia in patients with cancer. Jama Dermatol. 2020;156(9):963-972. 2. Kondziolka D, Niranjan A, Flickinger J, et al. Radiosurgery with or without whole-brain radiotherapy for brain metastases: The patient’s perspective regarding complications. J Clin Oncol. 2005; 28(2):173-179. 3. Gessler DJ, Ferreira C, Dusenbery K, Chen CC. GammaTile®: Surgically targeted radiation therapy for glioblastomas. Future Oncol. 2020;16(30):2445–2455.
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