Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT)
What Is SBRT?
Unlike conventional radiation therapy which is given over many weeks, SBRT typically delivers treatment in 1 to 5 sessions. It uses advanced imaging and motion tracking to pinpoint tumors and adjust for movement—such as breathing in lung or liver tumors—allowing for highly focused radiation delivery.
How SBRT Works
High-resolution imaging (CT, PET-CT, or MRI) maps the tumor in 3D.
Treatment is planned using specialized software for precise targeting.
The radiation machine delivers beams from multiple angles, all converging on the tumor.
The treatment adjusts for breathing or organ motion in real-time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your healthcare provider will review your medical history and check your current health to ensure you’re a good candidate for SBRT. They’ll explain what happens during the procedure, including benefits and potential risks. You’ll sign an informed consent form if you agree that SBRT is the right option.
Stereotactic body radiation therapy doesn’t hurt and is much like having an X-ray. Your healthcare provider will take steps to ensure your comfort. Still, remember that you can stop the treatment session any time you start feeling anxious or uneasy.
During treatment:
The technicians will help you up from the treatment table. Depending on your treatment schedule, this may be your only session, or you may need a few others. SBRT treatment usually involves one to five sessions that take place over one to two weeks. Tumors that respond well to treatment typically shrink over the next few months.
Studies show that SBRT is an effective treatment for some cancers. SBRT lets healthcare providers target tumours while limiting the radiation’s impact on nearby organs and tissues. It allows them to remove tumors with near-surgical precision, but without surgery.
SBRT also requires fewer treatments than conventional radiation therapy. This may decrease your risk of side effects.
How successful is SBRT?
Stereotactic body radiation therapy is an effective alternative to surgery in some cases. For example, recent studies show that SBRT is just as effective as surgery for treating some early-stage lung and prostate cancers. For some people, SBRT is also a noninvasive alternative to surgery for slowing tumor growth in cancers that have spread.