Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT)

Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) precisely targets tumors with very high doses of radiation. It is also known as stereotactic ablative radiotherapy and stereotactic ablative body radiation (SABR).

SBRT can cure early-stage cancer by destroying the tumor. It can also shrink tumors, stop the spread of disease and even stimulate the body’s immune system to fight cancer.

It is used against smaller tumors and is often a treatment for lung cancer, prostate cancer and kidney cancer.

Doctors also use SBRT to treat other cancers that have spread, or metastasized, to different parts of the body. This includes oligometastatic disease, in which a patient has just a few metastatic growths. In these cases, SBRT may stop the disease from spreading more and extend the patient’s life.

Patients may choose SBRT instead of surgery in some cases. This lets them avoid a hospital stay, a recovery period and other aspects of surgery. The treatment also may be an option for patients who are not healthy enough for surgery.

One common side effect of SBRT is fatigue. Other side effects depend on the tumor’s location. A patient treated for an abdominal tumor may have gastrointestinal side effects. A patient with a tumor near a bone could experience bone damage.

How does SBRT work?

SBRT uses several radiation beams of different strengths that are aimed at the tumor from various angles.

This requires one or more treatment planning sessions. During these sessions, the patient will undergo a CT scan, MRI and/or other imaging exams. Doctors use these images to map the tumor’s exact location and shape. They then create a customized treatment plan that sets the angles and intensities of the radiation beams.

If the tumor is in or near the lungs the care team will also make a video of the patient breathing. The doctor will use the video to factor motion into the treatment plan. Patients may be asked to hold their breath for short periods while the video is being created and during treatment.

The care team will also make a mold of the patient’s body near the tumor. The mold puts the patient in a position that makes treatment most effective. It also holds the patient still during treatment. This ensures the tumor gets the full dose of radiation. Damage to nearby healthy tissue is minimized.

After planning, patients undergo between one and five SBRT sessions. Sessions take place either once a day or once every other day. Most last about 30 minutes.

SBRT at MD Anderson

Radiation therapy is a pillar of cancer treatment. Some radiation oncologists treat cancers all over the body. Radiation oncologists at MD Anderson focus on specific types of cancer. This gives them incredible expertise when caring for patients. 

They use this knowledge when treating patients with SBRT. This treatment can have different goals, from curing patients to stopping cancer’s spread. Knowing what is possible is key to a successful treatment.

Once a goal is set, doctors then develop a treatment plan. Our radiation oncologists are experts in the diseases they treat and SBRT itself. They design SBRT plans to limit damage to nearby healthy tissue while fighting the cancer as much as possible.

Our radiation oncologists also partner with surgeons and medical oncologists who focus on the same cancer. They work together to coordinate care and develop treatment plans tailored to each patient. 

And at MD Anderson, patients are surrounded by the strength of one of the nation's top-ranked cancer centers. From support groups to physical therapy to integrative medicine care, we have all the services needed to treat the whole person – not just the disease.