As part of National Health Service (NHS) England’s plan for implementing greater cancer services, the number of patients receiving advanced treatment for brain tumors is expected to more than double in the next three years.

Stereotactic radiosurgery and radiotherapy (SRS/SRT), used to treat patients with intracranial “conditions” such as benign and malignant brain tumors, will benefit more than 6,200 patients a year by 2018/2019 compared to 2,400 in 2014/2015.

The implementation is part of a seven-year contract and will cost “significantly less” than they cost currently. Also, by increasing access to SRS/SRT, fewer people will have to undergo more invasive and more expensive treatments such as surgery.
SRS/SRT will be delivered to patients using different technologies and platforms such as Gamma Knife, CyberKnife and specially configured linear accelerators. Both Gamma Knife and CyberKnife deliver precise beams of radiation to the tumor, so there is less risk of damage to the healthy tissue surrounding the tumor.

“The Brain and Spine Foundation welcome this important step from NHS England to increase access to specialist stereotactic radiosurgery and stereotactic radiotherapy, which will make a major difference for thousands of patients diagnosed with life changing brain illnesses,” said Angela Collett of the Brain and Spine Foundation, in a statement.

Patients from all over England will have access to SRS/SRT for more “common” illnesses such as brain tumors and metastases while three national centers of excellence will provide care and support for children and patients with rare and complex conditions including vascular and other non-tumors.

This initiative follows the NHS England’s announcement in May to deliver “world class” cancer services, which includes finding ways to speed up diagnosis while saving thousands of lives every year.

The NHS will also set up Cancer Alliances, to be made up of leaders across different health care fields. The alliances will review all data for their region, including survival, early diagnosis rates, treatment outcomes, patient experience and quality of life. By reviewing the data they will try to pinpoint areas where improvements can be made.

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