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Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) brings promising treatment and new hope to many people who might otherwise have limited options. SRS is a noninvasive, highly accurate form of radiation therapy that delivers high-dose radiation to inoperable tumors and other targeted areas of the body. St. John’s Mercy is using this advanced technology to treat brain, spine, head and neck tumors, certain neurological disorders, lung and liver cancer, and other conditions.
Despite the name, stereotactic radiosurgery is not surgery at all. It is multiple, shaped radiation beams converging very precisely on a cancerous tumor or abnormality. The therapy has such a dramatic effect on the targeted area that the changes are considered “surgical.” Because of the precise targeting capabilities, surrounding healthy tissue and organs are spared, and patients experience fewer side effects than with conventional radiation therapy. SRS may also be used on areas that have been previously radiated. In addition, SRS:
- Provides an important alternative when tumors are located deep within or close to vital areas of the brain
- Offers a much shorter course of treatment: patients typically have one to five sessions of SRS versus six to eight weeks of traditional radiation therapy
The David C. Pratt Cancer Center at St. John’s Mercy in St. Louis is equipped with top radiation oncologists and specialists as well as sophisticated treatment and technologies. Please call 314-251-6400 to find more information on radiation treatments and stereotactic radiosurgical options offered at St. John’s Mercy.
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