Stereotactic radiotherapy constitutes a further development of conventional radiotherapy. Its advantage lies in the precision, with which irradiation is directed at damaged tissue. A very high dosage of radiation is concentrated on a small area so that certain tissue (e.g. a metastasis) can be treated with pinpoint accuracy without impacting the surrounding, healthy tissue. The MediClin Robert Janker Clinic is at the cutting-edge in radiotherapy in using this effective and low-impact form of treatment, applying to that end the newest available medical equipment.
In radiotherapy, it is important to hit the irradiated tissue with the highest possible accuracy and to safeguard the surrounding, healthy tissue. The patients of the MediClin Robert Janker Clinic have one of the most modern devices in high-precision radiotherapy at their disposal. Accordingly, the stereotactic radiotherapy can be refined decisively. With this technology, radiotherapists and medical physicists can treat tumours and vascular malformations effectively, accurately and safely.
The rays are so strongly focussed that the hit the tumour accurately, while avoiding surrounding tissue. The healthy tissue along the single-ray irradiation receives a minimal percentage of the irradiation dosage, while a high percentage of the dosage is concentrated on the tumour. The computer-supported technology registers each movement and change of positions by the patient and can adjust the irradiation plan accordingly with millimetre accuracy.
Even irregularly formed tumours can be irradiated directly via this method. Therefore, it possible to treat a wide range of tumours: in addition to brain tumours and tumours located near important and sensitive organs – e.g. in the spinal marrow – other areas can be treated such as the lung, liver or prostate as well as otherwise inoperable tumours located deep in the body or difficult to reach. This applies equally to recurring tumours.
With stereotactic radiotherapy, there are essentially two treatment strategies to choose from. The attending physician decides based upon the personal situation of the patient which strategy is the appropriate one:
- High-precision irradiation as single-ray irradiation (stereotactic radiosurgery): Stereotactic radiosurgery can be performed in certain cases instead of an operation. The total radiation dosage needed is administered in one single treatment session (single-ray irradiation).
- Fractionated stereotactic precision-irradiation (stereotactic radiosurgery): In stereotactic radiotherapy, the entire dosage of radiation is distributed among several sessions (fractionated).
What is the treatment process like?
With support from imaging procedures (e.g. Computed Tomography), first the position and size of the target area of tissue are determined. Based on these obtained data, a computer-supported irradiation plan is generated. The examination is painless; neither anaesthesia nor other precautionary measures are necessary.
During the treatment session, the patient lies on a special examination table. Infrared markers and localising x-rays help the radiotherapist to find the correct position for the treatment. A digital cinematographic system monitors the position of the patient and the location of the tumour during the entire duration of the treatment.
As soon as the therapy starts, the irradiation system moves around the patient and releases the pre-determined dosage of radiation onto the tumour. The result of the treatment is examined in the following check-up examination.
Advantages of high-precision radiotherapy
Both radiosurgery and the fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy are low-impact methods with low rates of complications. It is important, however, that the treatment be carried out by specialists. The range of advantages includes:
- High precision: The irradiation is synchronized with the patient’s movements. Only when the tumour is located in the target area, can radiation be released. This makes pinpoint accurate irradiation possible.
- High effectiveness: Since the target area is strictly defined and limited, it is possible to use irradiation at high dosages.
- High safety: Given the target precision of the treatment, the impact on the surrounding tissue is very low, despite the high dosage of radiation.