The
UCLA Department of Radiation Oncology, in conjunction with the Division of
Neurosurgery, has been engaged in stereotactic irradiation for nearly 20 years.
Radiosurgery began at UCLA, and in the United States, with the installation of
the first Gamma Knife in 1981. In 1990, the Gamma Knife was discarded in favor
of a modern linear accelerator. With the installations of the world's first
Novalis system for shaped beam surgery in 1997, UCLA continues in its pioneering
efforts to provide the highest levels of patient care.
Stereotactic
irradiation involves the delivery of a dose of X-ray treatment precisely focused
on a target within the brain. The use of stereotactic methods allows delivery of
a high target dose with significantly lower dose to brain tissue in the
immediately surrounding the region. The result is an enhanced ability to control
intracranial disease coupled with a reduction in the risk of side effects from
radiation therapy. At UCLA, this unique form of radiotherapy can be delivered in
a single session, termed stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), or as a series of
daily treatments , termed stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT). SRS and SRT are used
for a variety of brain tumors. These tumors can be malignant (gliomas,
metastases) or benign (acoustic neurinomas, pituitary adenomas, meningiomas).
SRS is also used for certain nontumor conditions such as vascular malformations
and trigeminal neuralgia. At UCLA, the use of a special beam shaping device
permits efficient stereotactic irradiation of irregularly shaped targets.
