stereotactic body radiation therapy
Pronunciation: stair-ee-oh-TAK-tik
Also written as: SBRT — stereotactic body radiation therapy
A precise radiation technique that delivers high-dose radiation to small, well-defined tumors in few fractions.
Full Definition
Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is an advanced external beam radiation technique that delivers precisely targeted, high-dose radiation to small, well-defined tumors while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. Also known as stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR), this technique typically uses 1-5 treatment fractions compared to conventional radiation therapy's 25-35 fractions. SBRT employs sophisticated imaging guidance, patient immobilization, and treatment planning to achieve submillimeter accuracy. It is particularly effective for treating early-stage lung cancers, liver metastases, and other oligometastatic disease where surgical resection is not feasible.
Usage
Usage note: Can be abbreviated as SBRT or SABR. Distinguish from SRS, which treats intracranial lesions.
In Context
- "The patient received SBRT to the lung lesion in three fractions of 18 Gy each." — Radiation treatment plan
- "Stereotactic body radiation therapy achieved local control in 95% of patients at two years." — Efficacy analysis