srs radiosurgery

In selecting a treatment, the radiation team considers the type of cancer, its size and location in the body, how far into the body the radiation has to travel, your health and medical history and any other cancer treatments that you are receiving.

Most patients receive external-beam radiation, which is radiation delivered from a machine outside of the body. Some patients receive other types of radiation therapy either alone or in combination with external beam treatments.

What is Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS)?

Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) and Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) are a specialty form of radiation oncology at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, which is delivered using various types of machinery. SRS is a non-surgical procedure that delivers precisely focused radiation beams to tumors and other abnormal growths in the brain. The radiation beams are x-rays cannot be seen or felt, and are the same type of radiation that is used to take a chest x-ray or cat scan.

For some of these procedures, vacuum bags are used to create and maintain an imprint that helps position patients during treatment.

SRS treatment may be delivered in one to five sessions, which last from one to two hours each. A variety of advanced medical devices and positioning appliances are used for these treatments. Your radiation oncologist will decide what is most appropriate for you.

For more information on SRS, please contact the Stereotactic Radiosurgery Program of UPMC Hillman Cancer Center