Cranial Stereotaxic Radiosurgery
Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) is a highly precise form of radiation therapy, initially developed to treat small tumors and functional abnormalities of the brain. Despite its name and compared to traditional radiation therapy, SRS is a non-surgical procedure that delivers highly focused radiation, at much higher doses, and in only one or a few treatments. This treatment is possible thanks to the development of highly advanced technologies that allow the delivery of maximum doses of radiation within the target, while minimizing the dose received by the surrounding healthy tissue, destroying the tumor and achieving maximum local control. SRS is used to treat many types of brain pathologies including: Benign or malignant tumors; primary and metastatic, whether single or multiple. Additionally, residual tumors after surgery; intracranial, orbital and skull base tumors; as well as arteriovenous malformations (AVM) and other conditions such as trigeminal neuralgia, etc.
Who participates in this procedure and who manages the equipment?
The treatment team is made up of several specialized medical professionals, typically radiation oncologists, a medical physicist, imaging scientists, a dosimetrist, and a radiation therapy nurse.
- The radiation oncologist and in some cases, a neurosurgeon lead the treatment team and monitor the treatment; They outline the target areas to be treated, decide the appropriate dose of radiation, approve the treatment plan, and interpret the results of the radiosurgical procedures.
- An imaging specialist interprets images that identify target areas to be treated in the brain or body.
- The medical radiation physicist ensures the delivery of the precise dose of radiation.
- The physicist, or a dosimetrist under the physicist's supervision, uses special computer software to prepare a treatment plan; Calculates exposures and beam configuration to treat areas according to the prescribed dose.
- A highly trained imaging specialist positions the patient on the treatment table and operates the machine from an adjacent protected area.
- The imaging doctor can observe the patient through a window or closed-circuit television and can communicate with the patient throughout the procedure. In the case of the gamma knife, the neurosurgeon and/or radiation oncologist can help position the patient for treatment and the imaging doctor can operate the machine.
- The radiation therapy nurse evaluates the patient, provides the patient with information about the treatment, monitors the patient during treatment, and helps answer questions after treatment.
- A neurologist or neurooncologist may participate with the radiation oncologist and neurosurgeon in the multidisciplinary team that considers various treatment options for individual cases and helps decide who may benefit from radiosurgery for brain lesions.
Special preparations needed for the procedure
They are generally performed on an outpatient basis. However, it's best to prepare to spend anywhere from half a day or more in the imaging department. You will be informed if you will need to have someone accompany you and drive you home after the procedure.
You may be told not to eat or drink anything after midnight before treatment. Ask your doctor if you should continue taking your regular medications on the day of treatment and if you should bring your medications with you to the procedure.
Tell your doctor if any of the following apply to you:
- You are taking oral medications or use insulin to control diabetes.
- You have an allergy to intravenous contrast media or iodine.
- You have a pacemaker, artificial heart valve, defibrillator, brain aneurysm clamps, implantable chemotherapy pumps or ports, neurostimulators, eye or ear implants, stents, coils or filters.
- Suffers from claustrophobia
What does it feel like during and after the procedure?
Radiosurgery treatments are similar to taking x-rays. X-rays are generally not seen, felt, or heard, with the exception of patients receiving brain treatment, in which case they may see lights while the machine is on, even with their eyes. closed. The treatment itself does not cause any pain or discomfort. If you have pain for other reasons, such as back pain or discomfort from the headgear or immobilization device, tell the medical or nursing staff.
1- When removing the device from the head there may be slight bleeding in the places where the screws were placed and they will be covered with a dressing. If you have a headache, you can ask for medicine to help you feel more comfortable.
2- In most cases, patients who have undergone radiosurgery and SRS can resume normal activities within one or two days.
3- Side effects of radiation therapy include problems that occur as a result of the treatment itself as well as damage done by the treatment to healthy cells in the treatment area.
4- The number and severity of side effects you experience depend on the type of radiation and dosage you receive and the part of the body undergoing treatment. You should talk to your doctor and nurse about any side effects you experience so they can help you manage them.
5- Radiotherapy can cause early side effects during or immediately after treatment, and they usually disappear within a few weeks. Late side effects may occur months or years later. Common early side effects of radiation therapy include tiredness or fatigue and skin problems. The skin in the treatment area may become more sensitive, red, irritated or swollen. Other skin changes include dryness, itching, peeling, and blistering.
Depending on the area undergoing treatment, other early side effects may include:
- Hair loss in the treatment area
- Mouth problems and difficulty swallowing
- Problems with eating and digestion
- Diarrhea
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headaches
- Tenderness and swelling in the treatment area
- Urinary and bladder changes
Delayed side effects, which are rare, occur months or years after treatment and are often permanent. They include:
- Brain changes
- Changes in the spine
- Lung changes
- Liver changes
- Changes in the colon and rectum
- Infertility
- Changes in the situation
- Lymphedema
- Changes in the mouth
- Secondary cancer
- Bone fractures
There is a small risk of developing cancer from radiation therapy. After radiation therapy for cancer, you should undergo regular examination by your radiation oncologist to detect recurring and new cancers.
When using techniques such as SRS the goal is to maximize the cancer-destroying abilities of radiotherapy, while minimizing its effects on healthy tissues and organs, thereby avoiding the side effects of the treatment itself.
