Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy

Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) involves the treatment of extracranial primary tumors or metastases with a few, high doses of ionizing radiation. In SBRT, tumor kill is maximized and dose to surrounding tissue is minimized, by precise and accurate delivery of multiple radiation beams to the target. This is particularly challenging, because extracranial lesions often move with respiration and are irregular in shape, requiring careful treatment planning and continual management of this motion and patient position during irradiation. This review presents the rationale, process workflow, and technology for the safe and effective administration of SBRT, as well as the indications, outcome, and limitations for this technique in the treatment of lung cancer, liver cancer, and metastatic disease. Cancer 2014;120:942-954. (c) 2013 American Cancer Society. Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) accurately treats extracranial tumors with a few high doses of ionizing radiation, maximizing local control and minimizing damage to surrounding normal tissue. This review presents the rationale, technology, and workflow for SBRT, as well as the evidence for treatment of primary and metastatic lesions of the lung, liver, spine, and other sites.