For many patients with early-stage lung cancer, the standard treatment—surgery—is not an option because coexisting conditions make surgery too risky. A new treatment option for select patients with small, early-stage tumors of the lung, or isolated recurrences from various types of cancers is now available at Willmar Regional Cancer Center.
Having the prescription from the Radiation Oncologist, the physicist and dosimetrist, use special computer software to devise a treatment plan. Calculating the dose and beam configuration to conformally treat the target (tumor) to the prescribed dose.
The procedure, Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy, or SBRT, uses special equipment and advanced imaging techniques to deliver a targeted external radiation dose to a tumor. The radiation is focused in on the specific tumor with millimeter precision, resulting in less damage to healthy tissue by the radiation.
SBRT uses an advanced system to precisely locate the tumor to ensure proper placement of the tracking devices. Throughout the treatment, the intensity and direction of the beams are constantly modified to target the tumor and spare healthy tissue. The beams are also adjusted for any movement from breathing or digestion.
With conventional therapy, radiation is delivered in relatively small doses over the course of several weeks, with patients receiving daily treatments during that time. With SBRT, physicians can deliver a single high dose of radiation, or several separate radiation doses, over the course of far fewer treatments (usually one to five sessions). SBRT is associated with few side effects because the treatment area is generally very small and treatment is precisely delivered. SBRT relies on a highly-trained team of physicians, physicists, dosimetrists, and radiation technicians.
Radiation Oncologist, Dr. Tod Speer had previous experience at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine with Tomotherapy (image guided radiation therapy) before coming to Willmar Regional Cancer Center. “SBRT gives patients an option outside of traditional approaches, like surgery and conventional radiation therapy, for certain cancers,” said Dr. Speer. “This adds to the versatility of our cancer care services, and particularly benefits those who would otherwise have to travel longer distances for SBRT treatment.”
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