Radiation Treatment
Stereotactic Radiosurgery
(SRS)
Stereotactic radiosurgery, or SRS, is a very precise form of radiation therapy that uses multiple radiation beams to treat tumors in the brain. It offers a less invasive and safer alternative to brain surgery. Despite the name, SRS isn’t surgery at all in the sense that there are no incisions. Instead, SRS uses 3D imaging and high doses of radiation to target specific areas. This helps minimize the impact of the radiation on anything other than the tumor.
There are two methods that SRS might use to deliver radiation treatment:
- Linear accelerator or LINAC machines treat tumors using X-rays. This usually involves a single session for smaller tumors or three to five sessions for larger tumors.
- Gamma Knife machines use around 200 small gamma rays to target tumors. These machines are less common and are usually used for small- to medium-sized tumors.
Radiation Treatment
Stereotactic Radiosurgery
(SRS)
Stereotactic radiosurgery, or SRS, is a very precise form of radiation therapy that uses multiple radiation beams to treat tumors in the brain. It offers a less invasive and safer alternative to brain surgery. Despite the name, SRS isn’t surgery at all in the sense that there are no incisions. Instead, SRS uses 3D imaging and high doses of radiation to target specific areas. This helps minimize the impact of the radiation on anything other than the tumor.
There are two methods that SRS might use to deliver radiation treatment:
- Linear accelerator or LINAC machines treat tumors using X-rays. This usually involves a single session for smaller tumors or three to five sessions for larger tumors.
- Gamma Knife machines use around 200 small gamma rays to target tumors. These machines are less common and are usually used for small- to medium-sized tumors.
Cancers SRS Treats
SRS is most often used to treat brain tumors, such as meningioma, paraganglioma, and others. It may also be an option for cancers that have spread to the brain from other parts of the body (referred to as brain metastases).
Because SRS is less invasive than other treatments, it can be used on hard-to-reach areas of the body, including those near vital organs.
Additionally, SRS can treat other abnormalities in and near the brain, like arteriovenous malformations (AVM), trigeminal neuralgia, and pituitary tumors.
SRS vs. SRBT
SRS is one type of Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy, or SBRT. SRS generally refers to SBRT that is used specifically on tumors in the brain or spine. SRS relies on additional technologies like IGRT (Image-Guided Radiation Therapy) to confirm the size and location of the tumor before, and sometimes during, treatment. This makes SRS more accurate than it would be otherwise.
How SRS Treatment Works
SRS works by using radiation to damage the DNA of the targeted cancer cells. The radiation, delivered in multiple small beams, causes the cells to lose the ability to reproduce, slowing the growth of the tumor and causing it to shrink. SRS can involve anywhere from one to five sessions, depending on the location of the cancer. Your doctor will let you know what to expect for your treatment situation.
The high level of precision built into SRS treatment helps minimize damage to healthy tissue surrounding the tumor. It also tends to significantly lower the risk of long-term side effects of stereotactic radiosurgery.
Your treatment will likely take place in an outpatient center and will include preparation for the procedure, the treatment itself, and a period of observation afterward. You will lie on a table, similar to what’s used for an MRI or CT scan. The treatment will involve several doses of X-rays delivered by your care team. This should be painless.
Afterward, you will move to a recovery area to make sure you’re feeling well enough to go home. You will need to bring someone with you to provide transportation and any other help you need after the procedure.
You should be able to return to your regular activities within a day. You will continue to be monitored with CT and/or MRI scans afterward.
Long-Term Side Effects of Stereotactic Radiosurgery
If you experience side effects after treatment, they are likely to be temporary, thanks to the efficiency and effectiveness of SRS. These might include things like fatigue, skin irritation, or hair loss.
Long-term side effects do happen in some cases, however, so it’s important to keep in touch and let us know if you notice anything unusual after your treatment. We will continue monitoring for things like changes in the brain and spinal cord, discomfort in the joints, and bone fractures.
If you have any questions about side effects, please don’t hesitate to contact us!
Radiation Treatment
Receive all the advanced care you need in one location, right here in your community. Our team offers personalized, interdisciplinary care using the latest treatment technologies, including IGRT, IMRT, VMAT, SBRT, and SRS.
IMAGE-GUIDED RADIATION THERAPY (IGRT)
IGRT combines 3-D images with intensity-modulated radiation therapy to pinpoint cancerous tumors as precisely as possible.
INTENSITY-MODULATED RADIATION THERAPY (IMRT)
IMRT is an advanced form of external radiation therapy that allows highly-accurate targeting of tumor cells.
IMAGE-GUIDED RADIATION THERAPY (IGRT)
IGRT combines 3-D images with intensity-modulated radiation therapy to pinpoint cancerous tumors as precisely as possible.
INTENSITY-MODULATED RADIATION THERAPY (IMRT)
IMRT is an advanced form of external radiation therapy that allows highly-accurate targeting of tumor cells.
STEREOTACTIC BODY RADIOTHERAPY (SBRT)
SBRT is an advanced type of radiation therapy that delivers high doses of radiation aimed at a very targeted area of the body.
VOLUMETRIC-MODULATED ARC THERAPY (VMAT)
VMAT machines use specialized software and advanced equipment to deliver precise treatments with greater speed.
STEREOTACTIC BODY RADIOTHERAPY (SBRT)
SBRT is an advanced type of radiation therapy that delivers high doses of radiation aimed at a very targeted area of the body.
VOLUMETRIC-MODULATED ARC THERAPY (VMAT)
VMAT machines use specialized software and advanced equipment to deliver precise treatments with greater speed.
STEREOTACTIC RADIOSURGERY (SRS)
SRS uses 3-D imaging to precisely target abnormalities in the brain, spine, and other areas of the body.
TREATMENTS & TECHNOLOGIES
We use breakthrough technologies to treat more challenging types of cancer and develop individualized treatment plans for patients.
STEREOTACTIC RADIOSURGERY (SRS)
SRS uses 3-D imaging to precisely target abnormalities in the brain, spine, and other areas of the body.
TREATMENTS & TECHNOLOGIES
We use breakthrough technologies to treat more challenging types of cancer and develop individualized treatment plans for patients.
Schedule Your Appointment Today
If you have been referred for radiation therapy, the choice of where to receive treatment is yours. Our Brockton clinic offers the advanced treatments you need at a convenient location. Call us today to book a consultation.