Radiosurgery is a noninvasive, nonsurgical radiation therapy that can treat and sometimes eliminate many kinds of cancers, reducing or removing the need for an operation. It can also be used to treat seizures and movement disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease. Radiosurgery delivers a large, precise dose of radiation to a tumor or area of the brain, typically during one to five treatment sessions. Radiosurgery destroys a targeted area without harming nearby normal tissue.

Conditions treated with radiosurgery include:

• Brain cancer or brain tumors
• Benign or malignant tumors
• Epilepsy or seizures
• Pituitary tumors
• Liver tumors
• Lung tumors
• Movement disorders
• Tremors
• Trigeminal neuralgia
• Spinal tumors

How Radiosurgery Works

Radiosurgery throughout the Sutter Health network uses a high-tech radiation delivery system powered by sophisticated image-guidance and motion-management tools. This state-of-the-art system rotates around you, delivering treatment beams exactly where they’re needed and shaped precisely to your tumor, lesion or specific area of your brain. The system also guides setup and positioning, and monitors your body and tumor movements. If your body or tumor move during treatment, the system automatically adjusts the radiation beam, maintaining the highest possible level of safety and accuracy.

Treatment results may include tumor shrinkage or no further tumor growth. For those with epilepsy, it may eliminate or reduce the number of seizures you have. People with Parkinson’s disease or other types of movement disorders may also see a reduction in tremors. Because cell destruction and absorption can be a lengthy process, it may take up to six months before your doctor can determine the treatment’s full effect.

Radiosurgery offers benefits such as:

• Access — Allows doctors to reach the deepest recesses of the brain and spine, correcting conditions that can’t be treated with traditional surgery.
• Accuracy — Targeted radiation and doses mean better treatment outcomes, fewer side effects and less damage to nearby healthy organs and tissues.
• Comfort — No surgical incisions are needed. You can typically resume your normal activities immediately after treatment.
• Precision — The system automatically adjusts the radiation if your body or the tumor move during treatment.
• Speed — Delivers radiation therapy in a matter of minutes, sometimes in a single treatment session.

Types of Radiosurgery

There are several techniques used to deliver radiosurgery, and several companies manufacture radiosurgery equipment. Frequently used types of radiosurgery include:

• Fractionated Stereotactic Radiotherapy — Delivers a series of treatments to the tumor or lesion over a period of time.
• Stereotactic Radiosurgery — Applies a high dose of radiation in a single session.

Talk to your doctor or radiation oncologist to see whether radiosurgery is right for you.