Dr. Gil Lererman's team of experts who first pioneered Fractionated Stereotactic Body Radiosurgery in the Western Hemisphere have tremendous experience treating many kinds of primary and metastatic cancers. This experience is unparalleled.
Yet for each patient, the circumstances are unique. Each patient has a particular kind of cancer and a particular history when coming to Radiosurgery New York. Each patient has a specific site or sites of disease. Prior treatment, sensitivities to agents and procedures are significant factors which must be taken into account. Patient and family preference is important. Therefore, while this article talks about the beauty of Stereotactic Radiosurgery - it is not for everyone. If you have an interest in Stereotactic Body Radiosurgery - even if you have had prior chemotherapy, surgery or radiation - you may wish to discuss your case directly with the doctors at Radiosurgery New York. They are the experts.
The physicians at Radiosurgery New York, the premiere cancer treatment center in NY, have the experience and knowledge in the field to help guide the patient. Of course, each person deciding on cancer treatment goes through an intensive informed consent process which describes the risks, benefits and alternatives of therapy. Only after this procedure does the patient make their final, informed decision. The attractiveness of Stereotactic Radiosurgery is the greater precision with which it is delivered compared to standard treatment, the ability to escalate the dose of radiation and to minimize the volume of healthy tissue that receives the prescribed or full dose of radiation. Because of the precision and dose escalation, fewer treatments in less time often can be offered.
Hypo-Fractionated Stereotactic Radiosurgery offers a new approach in the treatment and re-treatment of primary and metastatic cancers. Stereotactic Radiosurgery allows a greater degree of precision and targeting of the radiation beam than traditional radiation. Greater precision is accomplished by use of our Stereotactic frame and sophisticated treatment planning. Our experience is critical. Stereotactic Radiosurgery allows us more confidence in delivery of treatment and greater likelihood of decreasing the radiation field, thus reducing radiation exposure to healthy tissue.
Further, Hypo-Fractionation means fewer doses of such radiation is given but each one has greater intensity - which should mean greater effectiveness based upon known radio-biologic principles. Thus, select patients have the potential advantage of Stereotactic Radiosurgery combined with the treatment benefits of Hypo-fractionated therapy.
Since Stereotactic Radiosurgery is so different from standard radiation, chemotherapy or surgery, a separate definition of tumor control has been developed over the years. Tumor control means that the area - or tumor - that has been targeted will possibly cease to grow and that further treatment to that area will be unnecessary. The likelihood of local control is very high with Stereotactic Radiosurgery. This number usually ranges from 80 to 85%, depending on the type of cancer, volume and location.... This high level of control in the targeted field usually remains for the rest of the patient's life. Of course, 80 or 85% is not 100% and failure can occur. Nothing is guaranteed in life - this we all know. Also local tumor control is not the same as cure.
That is why we ask for follow-up diagnostic scans on a regular basis. We also ask for scans to evaluate other parts of the body. Usually, these scans are done on a regular basis and can be done sooner depending on the patient's needs and symptoms. Thus, while Stereotactic Radiosurgery is not for every patient - we decline to treat approximately one-half of the potential patients who apply - we believe for selected patients, there is great appeal. More intense treatment locally, smaller fields of radiation (so healthy tissues receive lesser amounts of radiation) and higher doses per fraction means, in general, less treatments but with higher control rates! This article discusses the benefits in brief.
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