Stereotactic Radiotherapy

Overview

Stereotactic radiotherapy is a type of radiation therapy that allows doctors to give smaller doses of radiation over a short period of time. It is especially important for patients with small brain tumors.

These tumors:

• Are deep within the brain
• Are hard to reach or cannot be removed by surgery
• Have metastasized in the brain

Stereotactic radiotherapy may be used in combination with other radiation methods, such as intensity modulated radiation therapy.

Stereotactic radiotherapy is an outpatient procedure. You will wear a removable mask to keep your head still. You should tell your doctor if you are claustrophobic.

Depending on the type of cancer being treated, treatment will take place over one to six weeks. Sessions last one to four hours.

Because no two people respond to radiation therapy the same way, our radiation oncology team will discuss with you any potential side effects.

You may experience one or more of the following:

• Fatigue
• Fever/chills
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Skin irritation

• Brain tumors