What is Radiosurgery?
Targeted Radiation Delivery: Radiosurgery: Treatment for intracranial brain tumors and extracranial tumors located anywhere in the body.
Treatment for brain and spine tumors depends on the type of tumor and in case of metastases where the cancer started and the extent of the disease. Our Neurosurgeons have extensive experience in radiosurgery using several systems including, linear accelerator based technology and Gamma Knife.
Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Brain Tumors (SRS):
This is a non-invasive procedure and is an excellent treatment option for selected patients with brain tumors. This procedure targets the brain tumors achieving high success rates of local control as shown in many studies using a single treatment. This procedure is done on an outpatient basis.
Radio surgery for Spine Tumors:
This technique is an excellent non-invasive modality of treatment for metastatic disease to the spine, as well as primary tumors.
How does Radiosurgery work?
For many years, radiation has been used to treat cancer and other abnormalities with good results. Nearly half of all cancer patients will receive a prescribed radiation treatment.
Pure energy delivered in the shape of beams, Radiation therapy works by destroying the DNA of cancer cells so they can no longer reproduce or duplicate. Our Neurosurgeons will work with a Radiation Oncologist to prescribe the right amount of radiation and the best method of administering it to achieve an optimal outcome.
Stereotactic radiosurgery, or SRS Stereotactic body or SBRT radiosurgery is the most targeted and precise method of delivering external beam radiation. Neurosurgeons have been using it for years to treat vascular abnormalities and brain tumors, wether they are benign and malignant. Recent technological advances in 3D imaging, precision targeting and improved patient positioning, have all made SBRT radiosurgery appropriate for the treatment of cancers in any parts of the body.
There are different types of diagnostic images taken before Radiosurgery to help determine where to precisely focus the radiation. These images include computed tomography (CT), Positron Emission tomography (PET), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The beams are shaped to properly match the contours of the tumor. The beams are delivered from many different angles around the body, all coming together accurately at the pre-planned targeted location. SBRT ultra-high precision SRS destroys tumors with high but precise doses of radiation, while sparing the healthy surrounding tissue. Radiosurgery provides a non-invasive alternative to surgery, which allows treatment of tumors that are inoperable.
One of the main benefits of Radiosurgery is shorter treatment time. Traditional methods of radiation, could take weeks of daily treatment sessions to deliver the same dose. Using Radiosurgery, either a single or a few, never exceeding five session treatment, is sufficient. Radiosurgery is also an outpatient procedure that does not require anesthesia or hospitalization.
Contact Premier Brain and Spine today to discuss Radiosurgery.
