What does stereotactic radiosurgery treat?

Despite its name, this treatment does not involve a conventional incision. A specialist team uses scans to map the target and delivers radiation from many angles, limiting exposure to nearby tissue. It may be considered for a brain tumour, brain metastases, or an acoustic neuroma when the size, position and overall health make focused treatment suitable. Gamma Knife and CyberKnife are technologies that can deliver this type of treatment. The treatment plan is individual, and some people need another approach such as surgery or whole-brain radiotherapy.

Your team will review imaging, previous treatment, medicines and symptoms before recommending a plan. Ask whether you need to pause any medicine, arrange transport, or prepare for a mask or frame used to keep your head still. Treatment planning may involve more than one appointment, and follow-up scans are used to assess the target over time.

Contact your treatment team promptly for a worsening headache, repeated vomiting, new weakness, confusion, a seizure, or a change in vision or speech. Seek emergency help for a seizure that does not stop, severe breathing difficulty, or sudden loss of movement or awareness.

Ask what the target is, why focused radiation is being offered, which alternatives fit your situation, how many visits are expected, and which symptoms should trigger an urgent call.