Stereotactic Radiotherapy (SRT)

Stereotactic radiotherapy is a precise form of radiation therapy that targets well-defined tumors using specialized, focused radiation beams. This technique relies on detailed imaging, computerized 3D technology, and meticulous treatment setup to deliver radiation doses with exceptional accuracy.

Types of Stereotactic Radiotherapy:

1. Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS): This method involves delivering one or more precise radiation treatments to the brain or spine. A multidisciplinary team, including a radiation oncologist and a neurosurgeon, collaborates to administer SRS.
2. Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT): SBRT refers to delivering one or more focused radiation treatments to areas of the body outside the brain and spine.

SRS and SBRT are particularly effective for treating small, well-defined tumors. Advanced imaging techniques, such as CT or MRI scans, are utilized to accurately locate the tumor within the body. To ensure precision, customized immobilization devices may be used to keep the patient still during treatment, or the treatment machine may adjust for patient movements, such as breathing. These approaches allow for the delivery of high radiation doses to the tumor over a short period, typically completing treatment in one to five sessions, compared to several weeks with traditional methods.

Advantages and Considerations:

• Advantages: SRS and SBRT deliver appropriate radiation doses to cancerous tissues in a shorter timeframe than conventional treatments. The high precision minimizes exposure to surrounding healthy tissues and organs.
• Considerations: These techniques are most suitable for small, clearly defined tumors visible on imaging studies. They may not be appropriate for all cases, especially if the tumor is near sensitive structures like the spinal cord or bowel, where the safe radiation dose may be limited.

Conditions Treated with Stereotactic Radiotherapy:

Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is used to treat small tumors in the chest, abdomen or pelvis that cannot be removed surgically or treated with conventional radiation therapy, including:

• Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS):
  • Primary brain tumors (e.g., gliomas).
  • Brain metastases (cancer that has spread to the brain).
  • Benign brain tumors (e.g., meningiomas, acoustic neuromas).
  • Arteriovenous malformations (abnormal blood vessels in the brain).

• Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT):
  • Small lung cancers.
  • Lung metastases.
  • Liver metastases.

While these are common applications, stereotactic radiotherapy may also be beneficial for other cancers that are not amenable to surgery or conventional radiation therapy. Patients with small, limited-number tumors are ideal candidates for these techniques. However, not all patients may benefit from this type of treatment.

Dr. O’Connor and Dr. Montes can tell you whether this approach is an option for your specific condition as new research continues to broaden the use of this technology.

Conditions Treated with Stereotactic Radiotherapy:

Radiation oncologists are board-certified and licensed physicians specializing in the use of radiation therapy to treat cancer and other conditions. They oversee the care of each patient undergoing stereotactic radiation. For stereotactic radiosurgery of the brain or spine, radiation oncologists collaborate with neurosurgeons.

The radiation therapy treatment team also includes medical physicists, dosimetrists, radiation therapists, and radiation oncology nurses, all working together to ensure safe and effective treatment delivery.