Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) is a type of radiotherapy that allows precise and high dose radiation beams to be delivered to a small, localised area of the body, mostly in the brain to destroy a lesion. It is usually a single dose of treatment but may include up to 5 treatments.
It works like a targeted missile which strikes and destroys the tumor with minimal collateral damage. Unlike open surgery, SRS is relatively painless and non-invasive, and has been used as an effective alternative to surgery or conventional standard fractional radiotherapy for treating small tumours and other selected medical conditions.
Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) is a type of radiotherapy that allows precise and high dose radiation beams to be delivered to a small, localized area of the body, mostly in the brain to destroy a lesion. It is usually a single dose of treatment but may include up to 5 treatments.
It works like a targeted missile which strikes and destroys the tumor with minimal collateral damage.
Unlike open surgery, SRS is relatively painless and non- invasive, and has been used as an effective alternative to surgery or conventional standard fractionated radiotherapy for treating small tumours and other selected medical conditions.
Similar to external beam radiation therapy, radiosurgery is performed using a linear accelerator. It generates a high- energy radiation beam focused precisely on the tumour. The beam is delivered from many different angles, intersecting at the tumour, to deliver the prescribed amount of radiation.
During treatment planning, our clinical team utilizes one or more types of 3-dimensional scans. These can include a CT scan, an MRI and/or a PET scan. Through the use of three-dimensional computer-aided planning and the high degree of immobilization, the treatment can minimize the amount of radiation that passes through healthy brain tissue. Radiosurgery shapes the radiation beam to match the outline of the tumor and includes a very small margin of normal brain to prevent recurrence.
In- person consultation and patient evaluation for treatment suitability.
Customization of immobilization devices e.g. radiosurgery facemask
Treatment planning imaging scans e.g. CT, MRI, PET.
Clinical treatment
Some people have little or no side effects from radiosurgery. Others may have side effects that are usually due to brain edema (swelling) caused by the radiation.
These include:
In addition, hair loss in the treated area can be seen two to three weeks following the procedure. However, it is not permanent and regrowth usually begins in three to four months. The scalp may also become temporarily irritated.
It is important to note that the information presented here is basic. If you have any questions about side effects, please contact our clinical oncologist.