Investigation of the effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy on brain volume in cancer patients: brain tumor study

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dc.contributor.authorDeniz, Birgul
dc.contributor.authorArpaci, Muhammed Furkan
dc.contributor.authorPekmez, Hidir
dc.contributor.authorUzun, Gokce Bagci
dc.contributor.authorInceoglu, Feyza
dc.contributor.authorHarputluoglu, Hakan
dc.date.accessioned2026-04-04T13:37:27Z
dc.date.available2026-04-04T13:37:27Z
dc.date.issued2026
dc.departmentİnönü Üniversitesi
dc.description.abstractPurpose Brain tumors, characterized by the uncontrolled proliferation of abnormal cells within cerebral tissue, remain clinically challenging entities. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy constitute fundamental therapeutic modalities; however, their effects on healthy brain structures are not fully understood. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of these treatments on volumetric changes in brain structures and tumor size in patients with primary or metastatic brain tumors. Methods A retrospective cohort of 47 patients aged 18-90 years treated at Inonu University Turgut & Ouml;zal Medical Center between 2012 and 2023 was analyzed. Brain MRI scans were evaluated at three time points: pre-treatment, post-radiotherapy, and post-chemotherapy. Radiotherapy was delivered at a median dose of 60 Gy in 30-33 fractions, and temozolomide was used as the chemotherapy agent. Volumetric measurements of the telencephalon, diencephalon, ventricles, white matter, brainstem, cerebellum, and cerebral cortex were performed using MRICloud, while tumor volumes were quantified using the VolBrain platform. All volumetric differences were statistically tested using repeated-measures ANOVA with corresponding p-values reported. Results A statistically significant increase in telencephalon volume was observed after radiotherapy, followed by a return toward baseline measurements after chemotherapy. The diencephalon demonstrated a significant and persistent volume reduction following radiotherapy (p < 0.05). No statistically significant volumetric changes were identified in the ventricles, white matter, brainstem, cerebellum, or cerebral cortex (p > 0.05). Tumor volume changes were also statistically evaluated and showed no significant differences across the three time points (p = 0.456), indicating stable disease during the treatment course. Conclusion Radiotherapy and chemotherapy lead to region-specific volumetric alterations in the brain. The transient telencephalon enlargement is more likely attributable to treatment-related edema or inflammatory processes rather than functional improvement. The persistent diencephalon volume decline may reflect early treatment-related tissue vulnerability. Incorporating automated volumetric assessment into routine follow-up may support early detection of therapy-related structural changes and facilitate more personalized treatment planning.
dc.description.sponsorshipInonu University
dc.description.sponsorshipOpen access funding provided by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkiye (TUB & Idot;TAK).
dc.identifier.doi10.1007/s11060-025-05366-6
dc.identifier.issn0167-594X
dc.identifier.issn1573-7373
dc.identifier.issue3
dc.identifier.orcid0009-0003-3480-6504
dc.identifier.orcid0000-0003-1453-0937
dc.identifier.pmid41686371
dc.identifier.scopus2-s2.0-105029949550
dc.identifier.scopusqualityQ1
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.1007/s11060-025-05366-6
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/11616/109834
dc.identifier.volume176
dc.identifier.wosWOS:001691245700001
dc.identifier.wosqualityQ2
dc.indekslendigikaynakWeb of Science
dc.indekslendigikaynakScopus
dc.indekslendigikaynakPubMed
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherSpringer
dc.relation.ispartofJournal of Neuro-Oncology
dc.relation.publicationcategoryMakale - Uluslararası Hakemli Dergi - Kurum Öğretim Elemanı
dc.rightsinfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.snmzKA_WOS_20250329
dc.subjectBrain tumor volume
dc.subjectRadiotherapy
dc.subjectChemotherapy
dc.subjectBrain volume
dc.subjectTelencephalon
dc.subjectDiencephalon
dc.titleInvestigation of the effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy on brain volume in cancer patients: brain tumor study
dc.typeArticle

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