Stereotactic Radiosurgery Treatment For Pediatric Cancers

While typically reserved for the treatment of adults, stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is receiving increasing attention is childhood cancers. SRS is the delivery of high doses in a single fraction (or limited number of fractions) to a small target volume with high precision.

SRS is a particularly appealing approach in children due to the low dose delivered to surrounding normal tissues. It is also a potentially valuable treatment option in children who develop recurrent disease.

At UCSD, SRS is delivered on the Varian Trilogy linear accelerator.  Trilogy provides the ability to deliver SRS with a variety of approaches, including intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). Such flexibility allows the Radiation Oncologist to choose the treatment approach most appropriate for the individual patient.

Varian Trilogy

Unlike other SRS approaches (GammaKnife, CyberKnife), Trilogy uses a sophisticated optically-based image-guided treatment system, whereby infrared cameras in the treatment room are used to track the position of the patient in real-time during treatment.  Real-time tracking allows SRS to be delivered without the need for a frame attached to the patient’s skull, as is commonly used in other SRS systems.

Frameless SRS is the preferred method of SRS delivery at UCSD and is used on the great majority of patients (children and adults alike).

Pediatric patient undergoing frameless stereotactic radiosurgery

Ask your physician whether SRS is appropriate for the treatment of your child. Click here to see a detailed overview of the frameless SRS Trilogy planning and treatment process.