Stereotactic body radiation therapy: Rationale, techniques, applications, and optimization

Stereotatic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is a rapidly evolving cancer treatment method in which concepts and techniques previously developed for brain tumor radiosurgery are adapted to eradicate tumors elsewhere in the body. The spatial accuracy, conformality, and steep radiation dose gradients of radiosurgery, which have been critical to its success in the treatment of intracranial tumors, are applied in SBRT to treat a variety of extracranial tumors. Early results demonstrate excellent response rates and low toxicity with a variety of hypofractionated dose regimens and localization/immobilization techniques. This article provides an overview of the rationale and results of SBRT for specific indications, descriptions of some methods of treatment delivery, and discussion of potential areas of future investigation.