News

Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) offers an advanced alternative to surgery for stage 1 lung cancer

Nov 1, 2009

Sacramento, Calif. — Northern California lung cancer patients who are unable to undergo surgery now have local access to a sophisticated alternative treatment, Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT). Radiological Associates of Sacramento Medical Group, Inc., through its Radiation Oncology division, has begun performing SBRT at two of its Radiation Oncology Center (ROC) facilities. Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) can be used to treat early-stage lung cancer and localized cancers with three lesions or less that have metastasized to the lung.

Unlike conventional radiation therapy of 30 to 35 treatments over seven weeks, an SBRT treatment regimen consists of only three to five sessions over one to two weeks. SBRT is an image-guided, hypo fractionated radiation therapy technology that uses 4D CT simulation, Stereotactic localization and image guidance, which together enable radiation oncologists to deliver large, precise doses of radiation to tumors while minimizing diffusion of radiation to the surrounding lung and mediastinal tissues.

ROC radiation oncologist Garrick Chang, M.D., is enthusiastic about SBRT, citing published journal articles that report results approximating those of surgery. “SBRT targets the patient’s tumor before and during treatment with a linear accelerator equipped with CT capability or stereoscopic imaging. SBRT is completely non-invasive and has a high expectation of tumor control,” Chang said. He has specialized expertise in Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy, along with three of his RAS board-certified colleagues: Alison Bevan, M.D., Brian Goldsmith, M.D., and Tony Pu, M.D.

“Most patients experience no side effects from SBRT treatment,” Goldsmith observed. “Furthermore, SBRT has demonstrated its potential for effective treatment of small cancers involving the liver.” The nationally recognized Radiation Therapy Oncology Group has credentialed Radiological Associates of Sacramento ROC to administer Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy to patients wishing to enroll in clinical trials. SBRT is available at Marshall Radiation Oncology Center in Cameron Park and Mercy San Juan Radiation Oncology Center in Carmichael. RAS plans to bring this advanced technology to other ROC offices during the next year.

Contact: Kelly Balaam, Marketing Manager
Phone: 916-797-6456
Fax: 916-564-3508
Email: balaamk@radiological.com