Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy: A New Paradigm in Radiotherapy Management of Cancer

Over the past half century, SRS has become a proven modality in the treatment of cranial disease. Developments in image guidance technology during the past decade have been applied to enhance established methods of cranial radiosurgery and enable new treatment approaches for potent hypofractionated schedules of SBRT in the treatment of extracranial sites of disease. In these settings, image guidance ensures accurate coverage of the target within the prescription isodose volume and facilitates avoidance of sensitive normal tissues nearby. Within the present decade, further technologic advancement, systematic biologic evaluation, and continued clinical investigation will accelerate the paradigm shift toward SBRT in the practice of radiation oncology.