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Stereotactic radiosurgery preparation and treatment take
just one day and hospitalization is usually not required.
(See a typical schedule here)
The patient first arrives at the Center and is fitted with a head
ring, worn throughout treatment. CT scans are taken which will be
used by the stereotactic radiosurgery team as reference points
during the procedure. These data, along with previously obtained
MRI information, are transferred into a computer workstation. The
team uses modeling software to create a three-dimensional image of
the tumor, mark its exact location and plan an appropriate dose of
radiation.
The patient then undergoes a 20- to 30-minute treatment session,
during which radiation beams are aimed at the tumor from several
directions. To ensure precise targeting of the radiation, the team
uses the BrainLAB System, with its micro-multileaf collimator
(a device that produces a beam of radiation). The collimator has
52 "leaves" that shape the radiation beams and deposit them in a
single shot with minimal variation of radiation dose within the
target.
This is preferable to conventional circular collimators because
multiple leaves allow the radiation beams to more closely trace
the tumor's irregular shape. This ensures uniform radiation to the
tumor and decreases radiation of surrounding normal tissue.
Fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy is performed in the same
way as stereotactic radiosurgery, with one exception: The patient
is fitted with a rigid head mask rather than a head ring.
No incision is made during either procedure. Patients can usually
go home the same day and resume normal activity in one to two days.
With stereotactic radiosurgery, a follow-up visit takes place a week
later, and an MRI scan is conducted within one to two months to
determine whether the tumor is shrinking or disappearing.
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