Advanced Radiosurgery

Image-guided radiosurgery (IGRS) quickly delivers precisely focused, high-energy radiation to a localized area. IGRS is a noninvasive way to destroy tumors or perform procedures that may not be possible using conventional surgery. This includes treating malignant and benign lesions, brain metastases, arteriovenous malformations and functional lesions.

Our radiosurgery system, Novalis Tx, combines a powerful linear accelerator (LINAC) with advanced image guidance and motion management tools. Doctors can quickly perform precise, noninvasive image-guided radiosurgery procedures. Patients receive fast, accurate, nonsurgical treatments for cancer and other conditions in the brain, head, neck and body.

Novalis Tx is a type of minimally invasive surgery. Procedures include:

• Image-guided radiotherapy, which uses a lower dose over several sessions
• Stereotactic radiosurgery, which eradicates tiny lesions in a single session

Novalis Tx can be used to treat noncancerous and cancerous conditions such as:

• Arteriovenous malformations (AVM)
• Brain metastases
• Cavernous angiomas
• Liver tumors
• Low- and high-grade gliomas
• Lung tumors
• Neurofibromas
• Prostate tumors
• Spinal tumors
• Trigeminal neuralgia
• Vestibular schwannomas

Novalis Tx sets the standard for shaping each treatment beam to the exact shape of the tumor. This avoids damaging normal tissue while delivering highly accurate doses precisely where they're needed.

Traditional radiosurgery uses circular beams. Because most lesions are irregularly shaped, some systems combine several circular beams to cover the tumor. Other systems move the beam to "paint" the dose into the tumor. These time-consuming approaches can result in lower radiation to parts of the actual tumor and higher doses to healthy tissue.

Shorter treatment times are important for both treatment accuracy and patient comfort. Patients must lie as still as possible. A shorter treatment minimizes the chance for small movements that can affect the overall accuracy of the results.

Treatment times lasting an hour or more can make the entire process more stressful. Some physicians prescribe a sedative or even recommend meditation during the procedure. A Novalis Tx treatment usually takes only 15-20 minutes. For increased accuracy, Novalis Tx automatically adjusts for any micro movements the patient makes during the treatment.

Novalis Tx is one of the most advanced technologies for radiation treatment available today. Advanced radiosurgery offers multiple benefits:

• Beam shaped to match the tumor or lesion outline and evenly distribute the radiation dose
• Extremely precise targeting to minimize radiation damage to normal tissue
• Noninvasive treatment using only minor incisions for cranial halo procedures
• Painless procedure usually performed on an outpatient basis
• Shortest treatment time to prevent errors caused by minor movements

The Novalis Tx procedure is not painful. Immediately after treatment you may experience a headache or dizziness. Your doctor will discuss specific side effects that may occur depending on your overall treatment plan.

Dress comfortably for your treatment. You don't need to bring special clothing or equipment to the hospital. Ask a relative or friend to come with you and drive you home. Because you may feel tired after treatment, driving is not recommended.

Novalis Tx allows for a complete treatment session in a single day. Your doctor will decide if you should receive a single-dose treatment.

Novalis Tx provides both stereotactic radiosurgery and fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy treatments. Our doctors recommend the technique most appropriate for each person, depending on the size and location of the tumor.

Radiosurgery and radiotherapy use high-energy radiation beams to destroy tumor cells. Visible results on a follow-up scan might include shrinkage of the tumor or cessation of further tumor growth. Cell destruction and absorption of the cells within your system is a lengthy process. It can take up to 6 months before the effect of the treatment is visible.