Why is this procedure done?
Stereotactic radiosurgery is a form of radiation therapy. It uses a machine to give radiation beams from outside your body. This may be used to treat small tumors in the brain or neck. It may also be used to treat other abnormalities in the body. ‚
The doctor does not make a cut in the skin with radiosurgery. It is called surgery because of the way the radiation works to get rid of the cancer or growth in your body. Radiosurgery is a very precise tool. It spares healthy, normal cells while sending high doses of radiation straight to the exact spot to: ‚
- Kill cancer cells
- Control growth of tumor and cancer cells
- Treat a tumor inside the body that is hard to take out using surgery
- Avoid spread of cancer
- Help ease signs caused by tumor growth
- Lessen the radiation that goes to nearby healthy tissues
- Treat conditions of the nervous system like movement or seizure disorders, and Parkinsons disease
- Close off blood vessels in an arteriovenous malformation or AVM
What will the results be?
- Cancer cells may be destroyed. The radiation harms the cancer cells so they cannot spread or grow any more. This can happen over a few months with cancer cells. It may take longer to shrink an AVM or tumor that is not cancerous.
- Cancer cells may shrink so the pain from the tumor may go away.
- Signs from other illnesses may be less.
What happens before the procedure?
Your doctor will take your history. Talk to the doctor about: ‚
- All the drugs you are taking. Be sure to include all prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, and herbal supplements. Tell the doctor about any drug allergy. Bring a list of drugs you take with you.
- Any bleeding problems. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking any drugs that may cause bleeding. Some of these are Coumadin ‚ ®, ibuprofen, Aleve ‚ ® (naproxen), or aspirin. Certain vitamins and herbs, such as garlic and fish oil, may also add to the risk for bleeding. You may need to stop these drugs as well. Talk to your doctor about them.
- If you need to stop eating or drinking before your procedure
- If you are pregnant or could be pregnant. Radiation could harm your growing baby.
- If you are breastfeeding
- If you are claustrophobic
- If you have any allergies to shellfish, contrast dye, or iodine
Your doctor will do an exam and may order: ‚
- Lab tests
- X-rays
- CT or MRI scan
- Ultrasound
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
You will not be allowed to drive right away after the procedure. Ask a family member or a friend to drive you home. ‚
If you have previous diagnostic images or plates, bring them with you. ‚
What happens during the procedure?
- You will be given a drug to help you relax. It will also help you stay pain free during the surgery. The staff will put an I.V. in your arm to give you fluids and drugs. Monitors will keep track of your blood pressure and heart rate.
- Your doctor may put a special fitted frame on your head. Your doctor may use pins to hold the frame in place. Your doctor will numb the places on your head where the pins will go.
- Sometimes, you will have tests after your head frame is in place. These may help the doctor to understand exactly where your problem is. This will let the doctor aim the radiation at the exact part. Other times, these tests are done before your head frame is placed.
- For the surgery, you may have to wear shields on other parts of your body. This will help to block the radiation. You will be placed on a table below a machine. Supports or straps will hold you in the right place.
- The therapist runs the machine from a nearby room. The therapist and your doctor will watch you through a window or on a TV screen. You can talk to them over an intercom. It is very important to stay still during the procedure. This is to make sure that the radiation reaches only the target area. You can breathe normally. You may hear noises as the machine works, or it may be quiet during the procedure.
- The therapist will control the machine to give the radiation over the target area. If you feel uncomfortable or have any concerns, tell the therapist right away. They can stop the machine at any time.
- When your treatment is done, your doctor will take the frame off. Your doctor will put bandages on the pin sites.
- The procedure may take 30 to 45 minutes, or up to 4 hours, based on the kind of procedure that your doctor feels is best for you.
What happens after the procedure?
- You will go to the Recovery Room and the staff will watch you closely. You may have to stay in the hospital overnight or the doctor may send you home.
- You may feel a slight headache or some upset stomach after the procedure.
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Get lots of rest. Sleep when you are feeling tired. Avoid doing tiring activities.
- Talk to your doctor about how to care for your pin sites. Ask your doctor about:
- When you should change your bandages.
- When you may take a bath or shower.
- If you need to be careful with lifting things over 10 pounds.
- When you may go back to your normal activities like work, driving, or sex.
- Be sure to wash your hands before and after touching your wound or dressing.
- Avoid movements that can make you dizzy, like changing positions too fast.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- Your doctor may send you to a tumor expert called an oncologist. Together you can make plans if you need more treatment for your tumor.
- Your doctor may order steroid drugs to lessen swelling caused by the radiosurgery. Take all of the drugs as they are ordered.
What problems could happen?
- Harm to the tissues around the targeted site, such as rashes or blisters
- Brain swelling
- Skin changes
- Hair gets thin and falls out
- Lowered white blood cell count
- Weight loss and weakness
- Numbness or tingling at the spots where the pins are placed. This often goes away after a few weeks.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills.
- Loose stools or loss of appetite
- Sudden weight loss
- Upset stomach and throwing up continue, even when you have taken drugs to help this
- Any skin change
- Changes in mental status, or seizures
Where can I learn more?
American Association of Neurological Surgeons ‚
http://www.aans.org/Patient%20Information/Conditions%20and%20Treatments/Stereotactic%20Radiosurgery.aspx ‚
International RadioSurgery Association ‚
http://www.irsa.org/radiosurgery.html ‚
RadiologyInfo ‚
http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=stereotactic ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚