Bridging the Beam Gap: Expanding Global Access to Stereotactic Radiosurgery Through Policy and Innovation

Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), a noninvasive technique that delivers a high dose of ionizing radiation to a precisely defined focal target volume, is foundational to modern neuro-oncology and functional neurosurgery. SRS provides highly accurate, noninvasive treatment for a range of intracranial conditions, including malignant and benign tumors, vascular malformations such as arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), and movement or functional disorders like trigeminal neuralgia. Despite a well-documented safety record and demonstrable efficacy, significant disparities in accessibility persist across global, geographic, and socioeconomic lines. This editorial aims to explore ways in which health policy innovation, international collaboration, and investment into mobile or modular radiosurgery platforms can help bridge gaps and promote access to SRS interventions for underserved populations. Addressing these disparities requires a thoughtful discourse on outcome equity and the ethical imperative to ensure universal access to neurosurgical care.