Sadly when lung cancer has spread to the brain it cannot be cured and life-expectancy is usually short. In this situation the aim is to give treatment to control a person’s symptoms and improve their quality of life, rather than treatments which cause side effects but give little or no benefit.

Treatments that are often used to control symptoms are steroids and radiotherapy. Steroids, taken in tablet form, have little effect on the cancer itself but can often reduce the inflammation and swelling surrounding the growth. This may temporarily relieve symptoms such as headache, unsteadiness or even fits. Also, steroids have a general 'tonic' effect and may help improve appetite, relieve sickness and boost energy levels. As the drug has no real effect on the cancer itself the benefits are temporary, but for a few weeks, sometimes even months, it can improve quality of life.

If there is an improvement with the use of steroids then radiotherapy may also be given.. This will involve a short course of treatment at hospital, usually as an out-patient. A common side-effect of this type of radiotherapy is hair loss which occurs shortly after treatment (usually a few weeks). However, any effect the radiotherapy may have on the cancer will be temporary. Unfortunately if there has been no improvement with steroids then radiotherapy is seldom helpful.

I can understand how difficult this must be for you, and it may be the advice you have already had from your father’s doctors is best. However, you may find it helpful to ask your father’s doctors whether they feel that steroids or radiotherapy may be of benefit.