SBRT involves very precise, high-dose, hypo-fractionated treatments, meaning the same total dose of 60 Gy are treating the cancer, but therapy occurs in fewer sessions and in much higher doses of radiation per session. This is possible because the external radiation beam in SBRT is conforming to the shape and location of the tumor, sparing surrounding healthy tissues. For this form of lung cancer, SBRT can be administered in three outpatient treatments lasting about an hour, with the entire treatment series completed in about one to two weeks.

"[SBRT has shown] considerably better results than what we've seen in historical treatments," said Timmerman. "That's probably the first significant change in the standard of care for this group of patients in the last 50 years."


This treatment has not only been found to be effective, but it also presents an opportunity to improve the lives of very sick patients who oftentimes must travel to distant cancer centers to receive treatment. SBRT could become not only a life-extending treatment in these cases, but it could also save patients time and money and reduce the psychological distress associated with treatment, said Dr. James Welsh, a radiation oncologist from M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX.

"The vast majority of my patients come from a different state or part of the world," said Dr. Welsh. "They are in a hotel room while I'm doing the treatment. If we can do the treatment in one week and get them back home, that's a dramatic improvement in their quality of life."

Dr. Welsh was presenting another study involving correlations between SBRT-related toxicity and lung cancer patients who were found to be obese or who were diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. Dr. Welsh suggested that these patients might experience more skin toxicity and chest pain, warranting further study and possible changes in treatment planning for these patients.

Back to HCB News

More Industry Headlines