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Usefulness and problems of stereotactic radiosurgery using a linear accelerator
1Department of Radiology, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan.
Radiation Medicine
|July 1, 1996
Summary
Linac radiosurgery effectively treated brain tumors and arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) with high local control rates. Despite some drawbacks, its cost-effectiveness and flexibility suggest future widespread acceptance.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Radiation Oncology
- Medical Physics
Background:
- Linac radiosurgery was introduced in October 1994.
- It offers an alternative to traditional treatments for various brain lesions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of linac radiosurgery for brain tumors and AVMs.
- To compare linac radiosurgery with gamma-knife radiosurgery.
Main Methods:
- Treatment of 27 patients with 36 lesions including AVMs, metastatic tumors, lymphomas, and other brain tumors.
- Follow-up examinations at least five months post-treatment.
- Periodic accuracy control to achieve sub-millimeter precision.
Main Results:
- 83% local control rate for metastatic brain tumors.
- Complete disappearance of two malignant lymphomas.
- Satisfactory results for AVMs and other brain tumors with no reported side effects.
- Achieved accuracies of 1 mm or less with periodic control.
Conclusions:
- Linac radiosurgery demonstrates high efficacy and safety for treating diverse brain lesions.
- While linac radiosurgery has disadvantages like longer treatment time, its advantages include lower cost, comparable dose distribution to gamma-knife, no field size limitation, and flexibility.
- Linac radiosurgery is a promising future treatment modality for neurosurgical and oncological applications.