Stereotactic radiosurgery and radiotherapy deliver precise finely collimated beams of radiation to intracranial and extra-cranial lesions. This treatment modality can be an alternative to, or used in conjunction with surgery. Both single fraction radiosurgery and multiple-fraction radiotherapy treatments are intended to improve a patient’s quality of life and decrease treatment related complications, by minimizing radiation dose to surrounding normal tissues.

Read our Stereotactic Radiosurgery procedure profile

These techniques are used to directly treat selected primary tumors of the brain and the skull base, such as meningiomas and vestibular schwannomas, many metastatic lesions of the brain, as well as, other conditions such as, arteriovenous malformations (AVM).

Stereotacic Procedure Imaging

During the planning process, a 3-D visualization of the lesion(s) is done using MRI and CT technology. After 3-D imaging is complete, the treatment area is defined by a neurosurgeon and radiation oncologist. Next, powerful computers are used to arrange precise high-energy radiation beams to create an optimal treatment plan for each patient. A micro-multileaf collimator (MMLC) attached to a linear accelerator shapes the beams to precisely conform to the shape and size of the targeted lesion(s). This ensures delivery of an extremely precise dose distribution to the target, while sparing critical normal tissues and structures.

Stereotactic Radiosurgery / Radiotherapy

Stereotactic radiosurgery consists of a single treatment session while stereotactic radiotherapy consists of two or more treatment sessions. Radiotherapy patients are treated with lower fraction doses for shorter time periods per session over several weeks.
Patients receiving stereotactic therapy can be treated for one or more lesions simultaneously. Ideally the lesions should be 5 cm in size or smaller. Each patient’s situation can vary.

The integrated stereotactic radiation treatment system used at California Pacific is designed for efficient use and patient comfort. Providing greater accuracy and efficiency in treatments, stereotactic procedures offer patients a better quality of life after treatment. This modern linear accelerator-based system is a viable alternative to the Gamma Knife, allowing for fractionated treatments, thereby potentially reducing treatment-related morbidity. It has the additional advantage of allowing treatment of larger lesions than Gamma Knife.