Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT)

Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is a specialized technique for tumors located outside the brain.

It allows your radiation oncologist to use extremely focused beams of radiation–usually in higher doses than with daily radiation treatment–to  destroy certain types of tumors. Beccause the beam is so precise, your radiation oncologist may be able to spare more healthy tissue.

SBRT is given in a few treatments (typically three to eight). Often used for to treat cancers of the lung, spine or liver, SBRT can allow radiation to be delivered in a way that is safer and more effective than other techniques to these regions of the body.  Because SBRT treatments are often much higher doses than daily radiation treatment, additional precision and quality assurance is necessary, including very secure immobilization of the head or body or employing techniques that allow the radiation beam to follow organ motion during treatment,.