Radiation Therapy

See the current version of the SEER Program Coding Manual under Section VII: First Course of Therapy, for complete coding instructions for the radiation data items.

Radiation therapy is very effective for high-grade gliomas (Grades 3 and 4). It is also used for low-grade gliomas; but it is not as effective.

Radiation is frequently used for metastatic cancer involving the CNS. This is usually done using whole brain radiation therapy.

Whole brain radiation therapy may also be used after chemotherapy is done, especially for patients with primary CNS lymphomas who are not eligible for a hematopoietic cell transplant.

Document radiation details in NAACCR Item #’s

• 2620: Text-Dx Proc-Radiation (Beam)
• 2630: Text-Dx Proc-Radiation Other

See Additional Resources for Central Nervous System Cancer Treatment

Updated: September 23, 2026