Stereotactic Radiotherapy is a technique that is used in the treatment of certain types of tumors. The radiation oncologist precisely focuses beams of radiation to destroy the tumor. Because the beam is precisely directed, your radiation oncologist may be able to spare more surrounding tissue than with standard external beam therapy. This additional precision is attained through rigid immobilization of the body part to be treated, such as with a head frame that is used in the treatment of brain tumors.
Although usually performed in a single treatment, fractionated radiotherapy (delivery of up to five treatments), is sometimes required. Stereotactic Radiotherapy may be the only treatment used if the affected area is very small. In addition to treating tumors, this method is sometimes used to treat malformations in the brain’s blood vessels and certain non-cancerous (benign) brain tumors. |
