Are you aware of SBRT (Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy), a treatment that targets cancer cells?

It is difficult to describe in words the fear, anxiety, and uncertainty that you feel when a doctor tells you you have cancer. "What do I do now?", "Will I have to have surgery?", "How long will this treatment take?" A thousand questions like these probably echo in your mind. It is very normal. But the most important thing we need to remember at a time like this is that with the advanced medical science that has developed today, there are new, very effective treatments that can help us fight cancer. Today, we are going to talk about an advanced radiation therapy that can destroy only cancer cells with great precision, like shooting a sniper rifle at a target, without surgery. This is called SBRT.

Simply put, what is SBRT?

The full name of SBRT is Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy . This is a special type of radiation treatment for cancer. Now you may be wondering how it is different from regular radiation treatment.

Think of it this way: a typical radiation treatment is like watering a tree with a hose. As the water falls on the tree, it also falls on the grass and the ground around it. This means that when radiation is directed at cancer cells, it can also cause some damage to the healthy cells around them.

But SBRT is much different. It's like a sniper who electronically targets and fires only at the right target. In this method, several very powerful beams of radiation are aimed at the exact location of the tumor from different angles . This allows the tumor to receive the maximum dose of radiation while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy organs, such as the lungs, heart, and liver.

Another important thing is that SBRT treatment can be completed in a few days (usually between 1-5 treatment sessions) , instead of a series of radiation treatments that typically take weeks.

What types of cancers is SBRT treatment used for?

SBRT is especially useful for small, single tumors , and is also sometimes a good option for patients who have other health problems that make surgery impossible.

SBRT treatment is mainly used for two types of cancer:

• Primary cancers: These are tumors that are located where the cancer first started.
• Oligometastatic cancers: These are cancers that have spread from their original site to other parts of the body, but are still small in number and size.

Below are some of the most common types of cancer for which this treatment method is used.

How should I prepare for this treatment?

Once your doctor has decided that SBRT is right for you, he or she will give you a full consultation. He or she will explain the procedure, its benefits, and the possible risks. This is the best time to ask any questions you may have. You will then be asked to sign a consent form to confirm your consent.

You will receive some instructions like this before treatment.

Do you want to come with someone?

In most cases, you can drive home on your own after treatment. However, it is a good idea to bring a family member or friend along for peace of mind. This will give you a lot of mental strength.

Learn about food, drink, and medicine

You will be advised to stop eating and drinking the night before your treatment. You may also be asked to take anti-nausea medications, pain relievers (NSAIDs), or medications to reduce anxiety and stress.

What should you wear?

It's best to wear very light, easy-to-take-off clothing, as you'll need to wear a hospital gown. It's also best to leave things like wigs, jewelry, glasses, and dentures at home.

Control your fear.

It's normal to feel stressed and anxious when living with cancer. It happens to everyone. Don't be afraid to talk to your doctor about your fears before your treatment. They may be able to give you some medication to help reduce your anxiety. Also, taking a book or magazine with you to read before your treatment can help distract you.

'Treatment Simulation' before treatment

Before the actual SBRT treatment is given, a session called "Simulation" is held. Simply put, this is like a "training session." This is where the medical team maps out the exact location of your tumor and plans the treatment.

At this time, the following things happen:

• Special scans: Several tests such as ``CT scans'', ``MRIs'' and X-rays are performed to precisely determine the location of your tumor without moving it even a little. The radiation machine is programmed using the data obtained from these.
• Positioning: The medical team will determine the best position for you to be placed on the treatment table. They may also mark small marks on your skin to indicate where the radiation beams will be aimed.
• Making special molds: You won't be able to move at all during treatment. So, to keep you still and in one position, a special mold or cast will be made to fit the part of your body where the cancer is. This will help keep you in the same position throughout each treatment.

What happens during treatment?

You won't feel any pain during SBRT treatment. It's like getting an X-ray. If you feel uncomfortable or scared, you can ask to stop the treatment at any time.

Things that happen during treatment:

1. You will be placed on the treatment table in the same position as you were in the previous simulation. The radiation technicians will position you in the exact same position.

2. The technicians operate the machine from a separate room. But they monitor you on a screen. You can also talk to them through an intercom.

3. Then the machine is turned on and the radiation is delivered. A large arm-like part of the machine rotates around your body at different angles, aiming the radiation beams precisely at the shape of the tumor.

4. You will not feel anything during the treatment, but you may hear a slight noise as the machine moves.

What happens after treatment?

After the treatment session is over, the technicians will help you get up from the table. Depending on your treatment plan, this may be your only and final treatment session. Or there may be several more sessions. A series of SBRT treatments is usually completed within one to two weeks.

Cancerous tumors that respond well to treatment may gradually shrink over the next few months .

Are there any side effects?

Yes, SBRT, like any treatment, can cause some side effects. However, these are usually temporary. These side effects vary depending on the type of cancer you have and your overall health.

What are the benefits and success rates of SBRT treatment?

Research has shown that SBRT is a very effective treatment for certain types of cancer. It has several key benefits:

• Very precise: Because it targets the cancer tumor precisely, there is very little damage to surrounding healthy organs.
• No surgery required: Similar results can be achieved without surgery.
• The treatment period is short: The course of treatment can be completed in a few days instead of weeks.
• Fewer side effects: Since there is less damage to healthy tissue, the risk of side effects is also lower.

Recent studies have found that SBRT treatment is as effective as surgery for early-stage lung and prostate cancer.

Are there any risks with this treatment?

Very rarely, there can be long-term side effects if the radiation damages healthy tissue. But as we discussed earlier, one of the biggest advantages of SBRT treatment is its precision. So this risk is very low.

As with any radiation treatment, there is a very small, negligible risk of developing another cancer in the future. However, SBRT limits the amount of radiation that reaches healthy tissue, so that risk is minimized. Your medical team will monitor you regularly.

Recovery and when to see a doctor again

Most people can return to their normal activities within a day or two after SBRT treatment. You can also eat and drink normally after treatment.

After your treatment, you will be given follow -up appointments. During these appointments, you can discuss the progress of your treatment and any side effects you may have. However, if you experience any side effects that are different or more severe than you expected, call your doctor right away without waiting until your next appointment.

What is the difference between SBRT and IMRT?

SBRT and IMRT (Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy) are both types of external beam radiation therapy (EBRT). Both technologies are used to target cancer while minimizing damage to surrounding tissue.

But the main difference is:

• IMRT: Usually used to cover a larger area (the cancer and surrounding areas where it may have spread) than SBRT.
• SBRT: A higher dose of radiation is used only for very small, selected tumors. This higher dose is what allows the treatment time to be reduced from weeks to just a few days.

Your doctor will decide whether SBRT, IMRT, or a combination of both is the best treatment for you.

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