What is Radiosurgery?

Radiosurgery is a technologically advanced non-invasive treatment that can eliminate tumors without any incisions (cutting). PAMF's Novalis Tx® radiosurgery system delivers a large but precise dose of radiation to a target, designed to destroy the target without harming surrounding normal tissue.

How is Radiosurgery Performed?

One of the main drawbacks of traditional radiation therapy is that the radiation can damage healthy tissue that is near the cancerous cells that are being treated. However, because radiosurgery uses precise doses of radiation whose treatment beam is shaped to match the cancerous tumor exactly, the cancerous cells are shrunk or destroyed without harming the nearby healthy tissues. This is one of the greatest benefits of radiosurgery.

Traditionally, in order to achieve such precision, patients would be need to be placed in a head frame to ensure they did not move during treatment. Placement of a head frame is an invasive procedure and can be quite uncomfortable. However, new technology in the Novalis Tx® allows doctors to monitor the exact position of the patient at all times. The system continually adjusts to account for any patient movement during treatment to guarantee accuracy. Even the slightest motion can be detected and adjustments are made automatically. The machine also shapes each radiation treatment beam to match the exact contour of the tumor or lesion so that even irregularly shaped targets receive a precise dose of radiation. In addition, the Novalis Tx® can deliver the radiation at rates much faster than machines previously used to perform radiosurgery, dramatically shortening the treatment time for patients.

Learn more about the benefits of Radiosurgery....

CONTACT US:
The Hiller Radiosurgery Program at the Cancer Care Clinic
Palo Alto Medical Foundation
ATTN: Frank Delarama, R.N., Clinical Coordinator
795 El Camino Real
Level 3, Lee Building
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Office phone: 650-853-4816
Main phone: 650-321-4121
Map | Directions | Floor Plan

Back to top