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FAQs about Brain Tumor Treatments |
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What is stereotactic radiosurgery?
Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) is a treatment technique that delivers a highly focused dose of high-energy radiation to the tumor. The tumor is first localized with MRI and/or CT-based computer imaging equipment, and beams of focused radiation from a LINAC or Gamma Knife machine are used to treat it. The procedure is completed in one day and the actual treatment typically takes less than 30 minutes. A sharp radiation dose gradient is produced at the treatment field edges resulting in a highly effective treatment of the lesion target, while greatly reducing the dose of radiation to the surrounding healthy tissue. This non-invasive treatment often avoids complications and inconveniences of open surgery.
What is Conformal Fractionated Stereotactic Radiation Therapy?
Stereotactic Radiotherapy (SRT) accurately delivers lower doses of focused radiation over a series of treatment sessions called "fractions." By treating the lesion with multiple fractions of a lower dosage of radiation, spaced over weeks of treatment, the SRT method enhances the biological effect on the tumor while decreasing the chances of radiation damage to nearby critical structures. This technique is particularly important in cases where tumors are adjacent to radiosensitive tissues such as the brain stem, eyes or optic nerves, or in pediatric tumors.
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