Stereotactic Radiosurgery Program at Jefferson Hospital for Neuroscience
Stereotactic radiosurgery and stereotactic radiotherapy are minimally invasive and highly effective radiation treatments for
malignant or benign tumors and lesions of the brain or spine.
Stereotactic radiosurgery isn’t “surgery” in the traditional sense. Rather, it is the one-time application of a single large
radiation dose – or fraction – to a tumor or tangle of abnormal blood vessels known as an arteriovenous malformation (AVM).
The radiation effectively targets the problem area while minimizing the effects on surrounding healthy tissue.
The accuracy of the radiation dose is made possible by advanced imaging systems, such as Computerized Axial Tomography (CT
scan) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). The treatment delivery systems – the Gamma Knife and the dedicated Stereotactic
Linear Accelerator (LINAC) are fully integrated with the imaging systems via sophisticated hardware and high-tech computers.
Some patients may require a series of precisely targeted radiation doses over multiple days. This is known as stereotactic
radiotherapy or fractionated stereotactic radiosurgery. It is applied with the LINAC.
If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with a brain tumor, spinal tumor, AVM or other neurological condition,
take a closer look at the stereotactic radiosurgery and stereotactic radiotherapy treatment options available at Jefferson
Hospital for Neuroscience. Each year, our team treats the largest combined volume of brain tumors, aneurysms and AVMs in the
nation. More than 2,800 patients have received stereotactic radiosurgery or stereotactic radiotherapy treatment at Jefferson.
See also:
Jefferson Hospital for Neuroscience is the Delaware Valley’s leading provider of stereotactic radiosurgery.
