To study the relationship between radiation-induced cerebral edema and the transcription level of erb-B1 (EGFR) in glioma-bearing rats treated by Co60. Methods: A total of 40 SD rats were randomly assigned to the control group (10 rats) or the experiment group (30 rats). The glioma rat model was established by C6 cell injection into the right caudate nucleus. Fifteen days after establishment of the glioma rat model, experiment group rats underwent Co60 radiation therapy and control group rats received no treatment. All rats were sacrificed 6 days after administration of treatment, and glioma tissues were analyzed by RT-PCR to determine erb-B1 transcription level. The remaining tissue of the right cerebral hemisphere was embedded in paraffin wax and sectioned; HE staining was performed, and the extent of cerebral edema was examined. Results: In the experiment group, there were 12 rats with edema and 11 without. The erb-B1 transcription level of the experiment group rats with edema was significantly higher than that of the control group rats and that of the experiment group rats without edema (both P<0.05). Conclusion: In glioma-bearing rats treated with Co60 radiation therapy, erb-B1 transcription level may be related to the presence of radiation-induced cerebral edema.