Information about risk, prevention, screening, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and support for all cancers Information about cancer treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, clinical trials, proton therapy, complementary medicine, and cutting edge technologies.
Ways for cancer patients and caregivers to cope with cancer, side effects, nutrition, general cancer support issues, grief/end of life issues, and shared survivor's experiences.
Frequently Asked Questions / Cancer Treatment Options / Radiation Therapy
Last Modified: August 13, 2006
![]()
Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts,"
I have had 14 radiation treatments to my brain and have lost a lot of my hair. Will my hair loss from radiation grow back? I understand that hair lost after chemotherapy will eventually come back, but what about when radiation causes the hair loss? Thank you.
![]()
Neha Vapiwala , MD, Senior Editor of OncoLink and Chief Resident in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, responds:
Yes, it usually does grow back in the majority of cases, although this process can take several months. Furthermore, the hair might grow back a different color, texture, or thickness than before, for reasons that we can not explain. This change in hair characteristics can also occur after hair loss from chemotherapy.Dr. Metz talks about how caring for cancer patients has affected his life. Read more.
Cancer Types
Bone Cancer
Brain Tumors
Breast Cancer
Carcinoid Tumors
Endocrine System Cancers
Gastrointestinal Cancers
Gynecologic Cancers
Head and Neck Cancers
Leukemia
Lung Cancers
Lymphomas
Myelomas
Pediatric Cancers
Penile Cancer
Prostate Cancer
Sarcomas
Skin Cancers
Testicular Cancer
Thyroid Cancer
Urinary Tract Cancers
OncoLink Vet
Cancer Treatment
Biologic Therapy
Bone Marrow Transplants
Chemotherapy
Clinical Trials
Complementary Medicine
Gene Therapy
General Treatment Concerns
Hormone Therapy
PDT Center
Proton Therapy
Radiation Oncology
Surgical Oncology
Targeted Therapies
Vaccine Therapies
Cancer Support
Caregivers
Hospice Care and Bereavement
Nutrition and Cancer
Sexuality & Fertility
Side Effects
Support
Survivorship
Exercise and Cancer
Cancer Resources
Cancer News
OncoLink University
Nurses' Notes
Conferences
Newly Diagnosed Patients
Causes and Prevention
Legal and Financial Information for Patients
LGBT Resources
NCI Resources
Global Resources
Cancer Resource List
Resources for Young Adults
OncoLink Media Library
OncoLink TV
Book, Music and Video Reviews
Ask the Experts
Brown Bag Chat
Tracy's Corner
About OncoLink
About OncoLink
Giving to OncoLink
Contact Information
Usage Policy
Editorial Board
How to Partner with OncoLink
Link to OncoLink
Mission Statement
Calcium Leucovorin, Citrovorum Factor, Folinic Acid
Cladribine (2-CDA, Leustatin®)
Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan®, Neosar®, Endoxan®)
Cyclosporine (Neoral®, Sandimmune®, Restasis®, Gengraf®)
Cytarabine (Cytosar-U®, Ara-C)
Irinotecan (Camptosar®, CPT-11)
Leucovorin (Calcium Leucovorin, Citrovorum Factor, Folinic Acid)
Calcium Leucovorin, Citrovorum Factor, Folinic Acid
Leucovorin (Calcium Leucovorin, Citrovorum Factor, Folinic Acid)
Leuprolide Acetate (Lupron®, Lupron Depot®, Eligard®, Prostap®, Viadur®) - For Men
Leuprolide Acetate (Lupron®, Lupron Depot®, Eligard®, Prostap®, Viadur®) - For Women
Lupron®, Lupron Depot®, Eligard®, Prostap®, Viadur®
Lupron®, Lupron Depot®, Eligard®, Prostap®, Viadur®
Busulfan (Myleran®, Busulfex®)
Intravesicular Mitomycin (Mutamycin®, Mitomycin-C, given into the bladder)
Mechlorethamine (Mustargen®, Nitrogen Mustard)
mechlorethamine, mustine, Mustargen®
Megestrol (Megace®, Megace-ES®)
Mercaptopurine (Purinethol®, 6-MP)
Methotrexate (Mexate®, Folex®, Rheumatrex®, Amethopterin, MTX)
Mexate®, Folex®, Rheumatrex®, Amethopterin, MTX
Mitomycin (Mutamycin®, Mitomycin-C)
Morphine Sulfate (Given by IV)
Morphine Sulfate (MS Contin®, Avinza®, Kadian®, Oramorph SR®)
MS Contin®, Avinza®, Kadian®, Oramorph SR®
Mutamycin®, Mitomycin-C, given into the bladder
Nitrogen mustard (mechlorethamine, mustine, Mustargen®)
Bendamustine Hydrochloride (Treanda®)
Bexarotene (Targretin®), Oral Formulation
Bexarotene Gel (Targretin® Gel Formulation)
Etoposide (Toposar®, VePesid®, Etopophos®,VP-16)
Thioguanine (6-TG, Thioguanine Tabloid®)
Toposar®, VePesid®, Etopophos®,VP-16
Trelstar LA® and Trelstar Depot®
Tretinoin (Vesanoid®, All-Trans-Retinoic Acid, ATRA)
Triptorelin (Trelstar LA® and Trelstar Depot®)

