How is stereotactic radiosurgery used to treat spinal tumors?

Cancer can spread to the spine, most frequently from the prostate, lung, or breast. Because such spinal metastases (spread) can cause serious consequences, it is important to undergo treatment as quickly as possible.

Pain is usually the first and one of the most debilitating symptoms. Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for spinal metastasis provides rapid pain relief in a majority of cases, often within days of treatment. SRS can be used as a stand-alone treatment for spinal metastases or as a supplement to traditional treatments, such as pain medication, surgery, conventional radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.

Stereotactic radiosurgery, or SRS, can be a tremendous adjunct to treatment of spinal tumors. Depending on the location, size, and proximity to the spinal cord or other critical structures, SRS can be used to effectively treat a spinal tumor when previously the only options would have been regional radiation, chemotherapy, or an extensive surgery.