Stereotactic Radiation Therapy

STEREOTACTIC RADIATION

THERAPY

Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) is sometimes also called Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) or Stereotactic Ablative Radiation (SABR). This form of treatment is when a very high dose of radiation is given to a small tumor or target within the brain or body with the goal of destroying the tissue that is targeted. This treatment is commonly used for small brain, lung, spine, and adrenal tumors but can also be used for prostate cancer and for other types of cancer in the body. Treatment of this type if typically delivered in a short period of time over a period of one to five days. Coastal Radiation Oncology uses many different types of equipment that are capable of stereotactic radiation therapy including the technologies listed below:

Gamma Knife

Gamma Knife is a noninvasive form of radiosurgery recognized worldwide as the preferred treatment for specific types of lesions, tumors, or conditions that affect the brain. The Gamma Knife® uses computerized data from CT scans, MRI's or others imaging tests to identify the areas within the brain that will be treated with the multiple beams of gamma radiation. Gamma Knife®can treat deep within the brain, close to nerves, arteries, or other vital structure, as well as multiple locations in the brain often in a single session. Additionally, Gamma Knife is an excellent option for patients whose medical conditions might make the physical trauma of traditional surgery impossible or risky.

Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT)

Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT), also known as Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy (SABR) is a type of external beam radiation therapy that can be completed in one to five days rather than over several weeks and is best for very small tumors. This highly focused, specialized type of external beam radiation therapy gives an intense dose of radiation concentrated on well-defined tumors. Stereotactic radiation relies on detailed imaging, computerized three-dimensional treatment planning to deliver precise radiation doses with extreme accuracy. SBRT/SRS uses these specialized scans to pinpoint exactly where within the body the tumor target is located. These techniques allow our doctors to give a high dose of radiation to the tumor in a short amount of time. SBRT delivers the right amount of radiation to the cancer in a shorter amount of time than traditional treatments. Plus the treatment is delivered with extreme accuracy, minimizing the effect on nearby organs. However, SBRT is only suitable for small, well-defined tumors that can be seen on imaging such as CT or MR scans. As a result, this approach is not suitable for all situations. The amount of radiation that may be safely delivered may be limited if the cancer is located close to a sensitive normal structure, such as the spinal cord or bowel.

Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS)

Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is a type of external beam radiation therapy that can be completed in one to five days rather than over several weeks and is best for very small tumors. SRS refers to single or several stereotactic radiation treatments of the brain or spine delivered by a team including a radiation oncologist and a neurosurgeon. A customized stabilizer may be required to keep the body perfectly still during treatment. Stereotactic radiation relies on detailed imaging, computerized three-dimensional treatment planning to deliver precise radiation doses with extreme accuracy. The advantage of SRS is that it delivers the right amount of radiation to the cancer in a shorter amount of time than traditional treatments. Plus the treatment is delivered with extreme accuracy, minimizing the effect on nearby organs. However, SRS is only suitable for small, well-defined tumors that can be seen on imaging such as CT or MR scans. As a result, this approach is not suitable for all situations. The amount of radiation that may be safely delivered may be limited if the cancer is located close to a sensitive normal structure, such as the spinal cord or bowel.