Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT)

How does it work?

SBRT uses sophisticated imaging, treatment-planning and patient-positioning technology to deliver a concentrated dose of radiation to a precisely defined target.

Unlike conventional radiation therapy, which may be delivered over several weeks, SBRT is typically completed in one to five sessions. Radiation beams are directed toward the tumor from multiple angles, allowing the dose to conform closely to the target while reducing radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissue.

The technology allows radiation oncologists to precisely target cancerous tissue from multiple angles, concentrating the dose on the tumor while limiting radiation exposure to surrounding organs and healthy tissues.

SBRT may be used for:

• Primary treatment
• Nonsurgical treatment option for eligible patients
• Treatment for a limited number of metastatic tumors
• Part of a broader, multidisciplinary cancer treatment plan.

Who can have stereotactic body radiation therapy?

SBRT can be used to treat several types of cancer. It may be an option for patients who have small, well-defined tumors, tumors that are difficult to reach surgically, or health conditions that make surgery unsuitable.

SBRT may be used for selected tumors involving the:

• Lung
• Liver
• Pancreas
• Prostate
• Kidney
• Adrenal glands
• Spine
• Other sites affected by a limited number of metastases

Your eligibility will depend on your cancer type, tumor size and location, nearby organs and critical structures, previous treatments and overall health. Your care team will determine whether SBRT is a safe and appropriate option for your individual diagnosis and will discuss how it compares with surgery, conventional radiation therapy, and other available treatments.

What to expect from SBRT

Before treatment begins, you will undergo detailed imaging to identify the tumor’s exact size, shape and location. Your radiation oncologist works with medical physicists, dosimetrists, and other specialists to create a customized treatment plan.

• Advanced imaging confirms the tumor's location immediately before — and when appropriate, during — treatment.
• Specialized positioning and immobilization devices will help you remain comfortable and still.
• Multiple radiation beams are directed at the tumor from different angles.
• A highly concentrated dose is delivered with exceptional precision.
• Motion-management techniques account for normal movement, including breathing.
• Nearby organs and other critical structures are carefully considered in the treatment plan.

The focused radiation damages cancer cells and interferes with their ability to grow and divide. The treatment effects continue after the session ends, and your body gradually clears the damaged cells over time.