Stereotactic Radiotherapy
The UVM Cancer Center performs more than 100 stereotactic body radiation therapies annually to fight cancerous cells and reduce side effects.
Medical Center
Radiation Oncology - Main Campus
(802) 847-7413
111 Colchester Avenue
Main Campus, Garden Pavilion, Level 2
Burlington, VT 05401-1473
Monday:
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday:
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday:
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday:
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday:
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Have a question?
Our Nurse Navigators and American Cancer Society Patient Navigator are here Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm to answer your questions. Give us a call.
The Radiation Oncology Department at the University of Vermont Medical Center performs more than 100 stereotactic body radiation therapies per year to target cancerous cells in the liver, lungs, spine or adrenal glands while minimizing side effects.
Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) at the UVM Medical Center
Our Garden Pavilion houses all radiation oncology services in one convenient location. Here, our specialists provide a comprehensive approach to cancer treatment. When you choose to undergo SBRT at the UVM Medical Center, you benefit from:
- Experience and expertise: Each year, we perform more than 100 stereotactic body radiation therapies. This type of volume gives our specialists a great depth of experience performing this procedure.
- Compassionate care: Our targeted radiation therapies allow us to administer precise doses of radiation at your cancer cells. With SBRT, our patients undergo shorter treatment times (up to 5 days) and fewer side effects, which helps improve your quality of life.
- Advanced technology: We offer the latest approaches to tumor localization and radiation treatment. We are the only medical facility in the state offering high-dose rate radiation therapy and prostate seed implant therapy, as well as one of a few select centers in New England offering frameless stereotactic radiosurgery for brain cancer.
- Team approach to care: Our radiation oncologists work as a team with your physician, surgeon, hematologist and others to deliver personalized cancer care. You can be confident we closely coordinate every aspect of your treatment.
- Therapeutic touches: We designed the Garden Pavilion to provide both comfort and privacy based on input from patients and families. Each treatment area has two exam rooms and two private changing rooms complete with personal restrooms and lockers. Rooftop flower and vegetable gardens offer a tranquil retreat for you and your family. Natural light from skylights and windows brighten and warm the facility.
- Patient support programs: At the UVM Medical Center, our goal is to enhance your quality of life both during and after cancer treatment. Our Cancer Patient Support Program provides emotional and educational support to you and your family. Our free Steps to Wellness program helps you regain muscle strength and increase stamina so you can more quickly return to enjoying everyday activities following cancer treatments.
- Convenience: Our location adjacent to the University of Vermont Cancer Center and the parking garage provides easy access between the areas.
What is Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy?
Your physician refers to 3D ultrasound images while using specialized computers to deliver highly concentrated doses of radiation to small, well-defined tumors. Your physician can change the intensity of radiation beams and direct them towards the tumor from various angles.
Depending on your cancer, you may receive treatment once a day for up to five days. A plastic mold resembling a body cast may immobilize you during the procedure.
Benefits of Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy
In addition to being a potential alternative to surgery, benefits of SBRT include:
- More precise delivery of highly-concentrated radiation to targeted cancerous area
- Limited radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissues and organs
- Fewer side effects than standard radiation therapy
- Shorter treatment time (up to 5 days) as compared to weeks with standard radiation therapy
- Ultrasound images taken during procedure provide real-time tracking of tumor size and location
- Can be used instead of surgery
Am I a Candidate for Stereotactic Body Radiation?
Your physician may recommend stereotactic body radiotherapy if you have:
- Lung cancer
- Liver cancer
- Spine cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Adrenal cancer