Stereotactic radiosurgery is a precise type of radiation therapy used to treat tumors and cancers in the brain. This outpatient procedure delivers high radiation doses to small tumor areas, sparing surrounding normal brain structures and tissue.

Procedure

The patient’s head is held in place and kept completely still by a large metal head frame. Then, a precision radiosurgical instrument, called the LINAC Scalpel, is used to deliver hundreds of pencil-thin beams of radiation at various points.

The beams are set in many different angles to best target the tumors and lesions. Each treatment is calculated so that the proper level of radiation is received.

The total treatment time may take 30 minutes to several hours, depending on the size of the area to be treated and the dosage required for effective treatment. Usually there are no long-term effects from this procedure.

Treatment depends on:

• Type and size of tumor
• Location of tumor
• How rapidly symptoms arose
• General health of patient

Stereotactic radiosurgery can be used to treat:

• Benign brain tumors
• Malignant brain tumors
• Arterio venous malformations (AVM) - abnormal collections of entangled blood vessels
• Recurring tumors at base of brain or skull
• Acoustic neuromas and meningiomas

Information

For more information about the University of Florida Shands Cancer Center or to schedule an appointment, please call (800) 749-7424 or (352) 265-8000.

Shands at UF Cancer Services were ranked 46th in the country by U.S.News&World Report. Learn more.

Shands at UF Cancer Services Navigation

History

University of Florida Shands Cancer Center 2007 Annual Report (PDF file)

Types of Cancer

Brain Cancer

Breast Cancer

Colon Cancer

Gastrointestinal Cancers

Genitourinary Cancers

Gynecological Cancer

Head and Neck Cancer

Larynx Cancer

Leukemia

Lung Cancer

Lymphoma

Oropharyngeal Cancer

Prostate Cancer

Skin Cancer

Cancer Treatment

Bone Marrow Transplant

Brachytherapy

Chemotherapy

Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy

Radiation Therapy

Stereotactic Radiosurgery

Surgery

Make an Appointment

To make an appointment or find out more information about cancer services offered at Shands at the University of Florida, please call 352.265.8000 or toll-free 1.800.749.7424

You may also email our Consultation Center or use our secure online form.