What is stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR)?
Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) is a form of externally-applied radiotherapy that is highly precise and concentrated. Doses are delivered to areas of the body where there are cancerous cells, such as tumours, with minimal damage to healthy tissues.
SABR is one of the best treatments for patients with cancer that is small and localised, and for whom surgery may not be advised due to complex anatomy or a delicate disposition.
The radiation beams stop cancer cells from growing and spreading, and can either shrink tumours or completely destroy them.
With SABR, beams of radiation are directed towards the tumour from several different angles, meeting at the centre. Before the first session, the patient will undergo a CT or MRI scan to map out the treatment.
SABR may be explored if the patient has not responded to other forms of cancer treatment, like traditional radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or medications.
What are the key aspects of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy?
High-dose and reduced treatment duration
During SABR, the dosage of radiation is powerful, more than traditional radiotherapy techniques, meaning that overall, the course of treatment will have fewer sessions. The number of sessions can vary between one to 10 over the course of a week, and sessions can be as short as 10 minutes. Patients can go home right after.
Accuracy
SABR uses cutting-edge, real-time image guidance technology to locate and target tumours with high accuracy
Minimally-invasive
SABR involves no surgery, though sometimes small metal markers, the size of a grain of rice, are injected near the tumour so it is easier to see during treatment. Patients are secured to a bed and are able to lie down comfortably throughout the session; however, they must do their best to move as little as possible, and they may be assisted in this with the use of moulds and masks.
Wide range of applications
SABR can be applied to many types of cancer, such as prostate, lung, kidney, and liver.
Minimal side effects
More healthy tissues are spared with SABR than with other radiotherapy, meaning that patients will experience little to no side effects, such as fatigue, nausea, dizziness, and irritated skin, such as swelling, reddening or itching. Any side effects that do manifest tend to do so a little after a session; there can be some variation depending on which area of the body received treatment. The treatment itself is painless.