Stereotactic radiosurgery is an advanced, non-invasive cancer treatment that delivers precisely targeted radiation to tumors in the brain and throughout the body.
With services available in Sioux Falls, Fargo and Bemidji, Sanford Health proudly offers stereotactic radiosurgery to patients across South Dakota, North Dakota, Northeast Iowa, Western Minnesota and Eastern Montana.
For physicians: Refer a patient to Sanford Health.
What is stereotactic radiosurgery?
Despite the name, stereotactic radiosurgery does not involve actual surgery with incisions. Instead, advanced imaging and computer-guided treatment planning allow doctors to concentrate high doses of radiation on tumors while protecting surrounding areas.
Radiosurgery treatments at Sanford Health are delivered using state-of-the-art linear accelerators, which allow physicians to precisely target tumors or abnormal tissue around the body, especially in the brain and spine. With this technology, doctors can often treat conditions that once required open surgery in a single outpatient session.
Additionally, radiosurgery can be used alongside traditional surgical methods to help prevent tumor regrowth.
Stereotactic body radiation therapy
Stereotactic radiosurgery was originally developed for the brain and spine, but it has since been used to treat select cancers elsewhere in the body as well. This service, known as stereotactic body radiation therapy, is commonly used to treat liver and lung tumors, spine lesions and prostate cancer. It has also been used to treat breast, pancreatic and colorectal cancers. Doctors can deliver high-dose radiation with precision, often in just two to five sessions.
Brain and spine radiosurgery
In addition to brain and spine cancers, radiosurgery can be used to treat neurological concerns like vascular malformations or facial pain. Treatment is often completed in one to five sessions.
Through collaborative programs at Sanford Roger Maris Cancer Center in Fargo, North Dakota, and Sanford Cancer Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, neurosurgeons and radiation oncologists work together to expand access to brain and spine radiosurgery for patients across the region.
Is stereotactic radiosurgery right for me?
Stereotactic radiosurgery can be a very effective treatment option. Patients and referring physicians can connect with the teams at Sanford Roger Maris Cancer Center in Fargo, North Dakota, and Sanford Cancer Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to determine whether radiosurgery may be an appropriate treatment option.