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Radiobiological Principles Underlying Stereotactic Radiation Therapy

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Abstract

Since the Gamma Knife was first conceived in 1968, primarily for arterial and functional lesions [1], single-fractioned stereotactic radiation therapy* has been increasingly used to treat a variety of cerebral lesions. By 1985, an alternative modality was available for stereotactic radiation therapy, using a linear accelerator (linac) and a stereotactic head frame [4], [5]. Recently, the CyberKnife, a frameless robotic system, has been developed for stereotactic radiation therapy [6], and intensity-modulated stereotactic radiation therapy [7], [8] is now entering clinical practice.

Note the term stereotactic radiation therapy will be used here to apply both to single-fraction treatment (often called radiosurgery) and to multiple-fractioned stereotactic radiotherapy. There is still debate about the most appropriate terminology [2], [3].

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Radiological Research, Department of Radiation Oncology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA

    David J. Brenner PhD, DSc (Professor of Radiation Oncology and Public Health)

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  1. David J. Brenner PhD, DSc
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurosurgery, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA

    Lawrence S. Chin MD (Professor and Chairman) (Professor and Chairman)

  2. Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Maryland Medical School, Baltimore, MD, USA

    William F. Regine MD (Professor and Chairman) (Professor and Chairman)

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Brenner, D.J. (2008). Radiobiological Principles Underlying Stereotactic Radiation Therapy. In: Chin, L.S., Regine, W.F. (eds) Principles and Practice of Stereotactic Radiosurgery. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-71070-9_5

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