Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Brain Tumors

Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) is a non-invasive technique for the delivery of highly focused ionizing radiation with extreme precision. It is used in neurosurgical practice as a less invasive means of targeting benign and malignant brain tumors, vascular malformations, and functional disorders. Its ability to elicit a desired response (e.g. tumor cell death) with minimal effect on normal surrounding structures is one of the many benefits that have led to more widespread use of stereotactic radiosurgical procedures in recent years. Current standard practice involves utilizing high resolution imaging for “stereotactic” 3-dimensional (3-D) treatment planning under the guidance of a multidisciplinary team comprised of a neurosurgeon, radiation oncologist and medical physicist. To achieve the desired outcome, the SRS procedure can be performed in either a single treatment or in several applications (fractionated)1,2.