Physician News: SRS Update

One of the most highly specialized capabilities o ered by John Muir Health’s comprehensive Brain Tumor & Neuro-Oncology program is stereotactic radiosurgery, (SRS) and stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT). This non-invasive, radiation-based treatment uses photon beams to precisely target tumors in the brain and spine.

More than 12 years ago, John Muir Health became the rst health system in the East Bay to offer this advance in treatment. SRS/SBRT provides a pain-free, safe and effective means for treating speci c cancers.

Recently, the original system was upgraded with a stateof-the-art TrueBeam STx system, the newest and most accurate radiosurgery system available. It is used for SRS and SBRT as well as conventional radiotherapy. A prime advantage of
the new technology is that it delivers radiation up to four times faster than other systems, and has reduced treatment times for cancer patients from about 30- 60 minutes down to just 5-20 minutes.

According to Brenda Carlson, Executive Director, Oncology, “This faster treatment time not only enhances the accuracy of the treatment, but it is a great factor in improving patient comfort. Our patient-focused program is able to provide an easier, less stressful experience for those with cancers of the brain and spine, as well as certain other conditions. The technology is remarkable. We are extremely pleased with our ability to bring even better care to our community by moving up to this superb level of cancer treatment.”

This month, JMHPN checked in with William Bice, MD, Chief Physicist and Director, Radiation Oncology, and George Counelis, MD, neurosurgeon and Medical Director of the Brain Tumor & Neuro-Oncology Program, to learn what the latest changes and upgrades in this technology mean for our patients at John Muir Health.