Home/Topics/Prevention & Risk/prophylactic cranial irradiation Prevention & Risk Cancer & Oncology Brain & Nervous System prophylactic cranial irradiation Listen Save Share Print Meaning of prophylactic cranial irradiation: Radiation therapy to the head to reduce the risk that cancer will spread to the brain. Definition of prophylactic cranial irradiation Radiation therapy to the head to reduce the risk that cancer will spread to the brain. Written and maintained by James Murray · Last updated July 21, 2026 Educational reference, not medical advice. Read the limitations. Keep exploringRelated termsMore in Prevention & Risk → Cancer & Tumors GBM Three letters standing for a diagnosis that now depends as much on molecular testing as on what the tumor looks like. Read definition → Cancer & Tumors glioblastoma What makes it so hard to remove is not its size but its edges, which merge into brain that looks and behaves normally. Read definition → General Medical Terms alpha-lipoic acid Alpha-lipoic acid is a naturally occurring compound that helps cells convert nutrients into energy and also functions as an antioxidant. Read definition → Cancer & Tumors brain tumor Inside a closed skull, even a growth that never spreads anywhere can do harm simply by taking up room. Read definition →
Cancer & Tumors GBM Three letters standing for a diagnosis that now depends as much on molecular testing as on what the tumor looks like. Read definition →
Cancer & Tumors glioblastoma What makes it so hard to remove is not its size but its edges, which merge into brain that looks and behaves normally. Read definition →
General Medical Terms alpha-lipoic acid Alpha-lipoic acid is a naturally occurring compound that helps cells convert nutrients into energy and also functions as an antioxidant. Read definition →
Cancer & Tumors brain tumor Inside a closed skull, even a growth that never spreads anywhere can do harm simply by taking up room. Read definition →