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Stereotactic radiosurgery
is not really surgery. A large dose of radiation is given in one dose. It is directed
at the tumor from many (often hundreds) of different angles. This method is used
for cancers deep in the brain that can't be removed with surgery. | | |
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SRS
for one lesion | |
SRS
for multiple lesions | | | Stereotactic
radiotherapy is a technique that allows your radiation oncologist to precisely
focus beams of radiation to destroy certain types of tumors. Since the beam is
so precise, your radiation oncologist may be able to spare more normal tissue
than with conventional external beam therapy. This additional precision is achieved
through rigid immobilization, such as with a head frame as is used in the treatment
of brain tumors. Although often performed in a single treatment, fractionated
radiotherapy, where patients receive up to five treatments, is sometimes necessary.
Radiotherapy may be the only treatment if a very small area is affected. In addition
to treating tumors, it can also be used to treat malformations in the brain's
blood vessels and certain noncancerous (benign) brain tumors. | Text
used with permission and courtesy of:
American Society for Therapeutic Radiology
and Oncology
12500 Fair Lakes Circle Suite #375, Fairfax, VA 22033-3882
Phone:
703.502.1550 or 800.962.7876 www.astro.org | |
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