Stereotactic Radiosurgery uses sophisticated 3-D computerized imaging to precisely target a narrow X-ray beam and deliver a highly concentrated dose of radiation to the affected area. Stereotactic radiosurgery is not surgery in the conventional sense because there is no incision involved, and general anesthesia is not required for adults.
- Staged radiosurgery, also known as fractionated stereotactic radiosurgery (FSR), is a process in which the total dose of stereotactic radiation is divided into several smaller doses of radiation, on separate days of treatment. Typically, this consists of two to five treatments. In some cases, staged treatment effectively kills the tumor while seemingly decreasing potential side effects compared with single-dose radiosurgery.
- The treatment team is comprised of a number of specialized medical professionals, including a radiation oncologist, neurosurgeon, medical radiation physicist, radiation therapist, radiation therapy nurse, and neurologist or neuro-oncologist. The radiation oncologist and neurosurgeon oversee treatment and interpret the results of these procedures.