Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is the most precise method of external beam irradiation available.  It is typically used to treat vascular abnormalities and tumors in the brain, both benign and malignant.  Recent advances in imaging, patient positioning and targeting have all made SRS appropriate for the treatment of certain cancers in other parts of the body such as the neck, spine, lung, and liver. 

SRS is not surgery in the conventional sense because there is no incision and general anesthesia is not needed.  SRS destroys tumors with high doses of radiation, while sparing the surrounding healthy tissue.  In this way, SRS provides a non-invasive alternative to surgery, allowing treatment of some otherwise inoperable tumors. 

SRS is delivered as an outpatient procedure just like conventional radiotherapy.  Usually conventional radiotherapy is delivered over a period of weeks.  SRS allows a full course of treatment to be delivered in 1-5 treatments.   Prior to delivering the treatment, special imaging techniques such as high resolution CT and MRI are performed.  State-of-the-art computer software manipulates the 3D images of the lesion and surrounding anatomy and allows the physician team to map out the optimal treatment plan that is unique to every patient. 

There are a number of methods utilized that help achieve maximum precision.  In some cases, the patient is immobilized with special devices.  Usually this is done prior to the planning and each patient is fitted with a custom immobilization device.  This helps ensure he/she will remain in the same stationary position during both the planning and the delivery of the treatment.  Oakwood Cancer Center is one of the first 5 centers in the United States to offer this advanced technology. 

Treatments can take up to an hour, with most of the time being spent on ensuring correct positioning with millimeter accuracy.  The patient is alone in the room during the actual treatment, and is continually monitored with audio and video systems.  The linear accelerator emits a buzzing noise as it produces the radiation.  It will also move around to deliver the beams from different angles.  After the treatment is completed, the patient is able to resume normal activities.