Stereotactic body radiotherapy for early stage lung cancer

Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is a newly developed technique currently in clinical use. SBRT originated from stereotactic radiosurgery for intracranial tumors. SBRT has been widely used clinically for lung cancer. The practice of SBRT demands different kinds of patient fixation, breathing control, target determination, treatment planning, and verifications. The history and current standard technique are reviewed. Clinical studies of lung cancer showed high local control rates with acceptable toxicities. Past and on-going clinical trials are reviewed.