Have you been recommended SBRT treatment? Let's talk about it simply (Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy)

We know that fighting cancer is not easy. In the meantime, when your doctor tells you about a new treatment called 'SBRT', it's normal for questions to come to your mind. "What is this? Will it hurt? Will it work?" Questions like this may be on your mind. Don't worry. Today, we'll talk about this treatment called SBRT in a simple way that you can understand.

What is SBRT in simple terms?

Simply put, Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) is a highly advanced radiation therapy method used to destroy cancer cells.

Think of it like a sniper, shooting from a distance and hitting the target. That's what SBRT does. It targets the tumor and delivers a very high dose of radiation. The specialty of this is that it minimizes the damage to healthy tissue and organs around the tumor.

Unlike conventional radiation therapy, treatment does not require weeks of treatment. SBRT delivers a very high dose of radiation in a short period of time, usually a few days, and the treatment can be completed.

What types of cancers is SBRT treatment used for?

Doctors usually recommend SBRT for small tumors, and it is also a good option for people who cannot have surgery for other health reasons.

SBRT treatment is mainly used in two situations:

• Primary Cancers: This means treating the cancer that first appeared in the body.
• Oligometastatic Cancers: This method is also used to remove tumors that have spread from the original site to other parts of the body, but are still small and in small numbers.

Some of the most common types of cancer treated with SBRT are:

• Lung cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Liver cancer
• Pancreatic cancer

How do you prepare before treatment?

Your doctor will review your complete medical history and decide if you are a good candidate for this treatment. He or she will then explain to you how the treatment will be performed, its benefits, and the possible risks. Once you understand everything, you will be asked to sign a consent form.

It is good to be aware of these things before treatment:

• Someone to help you: In most cases, you can drive home alone after treatment. However, it is a good idea to bring a family member or friend along for support.
• Food and medication: Your doctor will tell you when to stop eating and drinking the night before your treatment. Depending on your condition, you may also be asked to take medication for nausea, pain (such as NSAIDs), or anti-anxiety (anti-anxiety) beforehand.
• Clothing: It's best to wear light, comfortable clothing that's easy to put on and take off for the hospital gown. You'll need to leave things like fake hair, jewelry, glasses, and dentures at home.
• Treatment time: A single treatment session can typically last anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour or more, depending on your condition.
• Stress: It's normal to feel anxious and stressed when dealing with cancer. Ask your doctor about ways to manage this stress before your treatment. He or she may ask you to bring something to read, such as a book or magazine. They may also prescribe a sedative.

Treatment Planning Phase (Treatment Simulation)

This is not exactly the treatment itself. It's more like a rehearsal. The exact area to target is mapped out and the treatment plan is developed at this stage.

Here are the things that happen:

• Scans: To find the exact location of the cancer, you may need to have several tests, such as a `CT scan`, `MRI`, or X-ray. These tests are used to program the machine to direct the radiation beams.
• Positioning: The medical team will determine the correct position for you to be placed on the treatment table. They may also place markings on your skin to help you know exactly where to aim the radiation beams.
• Making special molds: You can have a mold (an `immobilization device`) made to fit the part of your body where the cancer is. This will keep you in the same position during treatment. This will help keep you in the same position for each treatment.

What happens during treatment?

First of all, SBRT treatment is painless . It's like getting an X-ray. If you feel uncomfortable or scared during the treatment, you can ask to stop the treatment at any time.

This is what happens during treatment:

1. You will be made to lie down on the treatment table in the same position as during the rehearsal.

2. The radiation technicians operate the machine from a separate room. They watch you through a screen, and you can talk to them through an intercom.

3. The machine begins delivering radiation. A large arm-like part of the machine rotates around you, delivering high-dose radiation beams from different angles, tailored to the shape of the tumor. This ensures that only the cancer receives radiation.

Although you won't feel anything during the treatment, you may hear a slight noise as the machine moves.

Possible side effects after treatment

The type of side effects you experience will vary depending on the type of cancer you have and your overall health. Most of the time, these are temporary.

What are the benefits of SBRT treatment?

Studies show that SBRT is a very effective treatment for some cancers.

• Cancerous tumors can be removed with similar precision without surgery.
• The damage to surrounding healthy organs is very minimal.
• Because the number of treatments is fewer than with conventional radiation therapy, the risk of side effects may also be reduced.
• You can return to normal activities within one or two days of treatment.

What is the difference between SBRT and IMRT?

SBRT and Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) are both treatments that deliver radiation from a machine outside the body (`External Beam Radiation Therapy' - EBRT').

The difference is that SBRT is used to treat very small, specific tumors, with a high dose, for a short period of time . IMRT is usually used to cover a much larger area (the cancer and any areas where it has spread) , so the number of treatments is greater and takes several weeks.

Your doctor will decide which treatment is best for you.

SBRT, Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy, cancer treatment, radiation therapy, cancer treatment, cancer