Stereotactic RadioSurgery (SRS) is a radiation therapy that delivers higher radiation doses to specific body parts. It’s used to treat tumours and other problems in the spine, liver, brain, lungs, neck, and other body parts.
SRS was developed in the 1950s by Swedish neurosurgeons to heal tiny tumours deep within the brain with little injury to neighbouring healthy tissue. Doctors now employ it to treat cancers in difficult-to-reach areas or close to crucial organs. This article includes details about SRS, its working, and the side effects of stereotactic radiation.
What is the purpose of stereotactic radiosurgery?
SRS is a non-invasive and finely focused therapy, and it is chosen for tumours in hard-to-reach areas and some unusual illnesses. A few of the circumstances in which SRS is used are as follows:
Brain tumours, including:
- acoustic neuroma
- meningioma
- ependymoma
- low-grade astrocytoma
- pineal tumour
- hemangioblastoma
- malignant glioma
- chordoma
Other cancerous growths include:
- Glomus tumour
- Pituitary adenoma
- Secondary brain cancer or brain metastasis
- Uveal melanoma
- Tumours of various other organs, including liver, lung, etc.
- Residual tumours left after a surgery
- Trigeminal neuralgia
- Arteriovenous malformation
- Seizure disorders
- Epilepsy
- Tremors by diseases like Parkinson’s
How effective is SRS?
SRS is an effective and non-invasive treatment for various cancers and diseases, reducing the likelihood of complications, recuperation time, and injury to healthy tissue. The effectiveness of SRS also depends on the ailment being treated and the stage of the sickness.
What are its side effects?
Because only a tiny portion of the body is exposed to radiation, SRS has fewer adverse effects than traditional radiation therapy. These negative effects are usually only present for a short time.
Following the radiation treatment, people may become tired. It’s typical and should go away after 3-4 weeks of treatment. At the site of the radiation, people may experience skin problems like itching, redness, and oedema.
Here are some of its typical side effects:
- nausea
- fatigue
- bleeding
- headache
- vertigo
- infection and pain at the pin-sites
Here are some rare complications that may also occur:
- brain swelling
- nerve pain
- seizures
- blood vessel injuries
- healthy tissue’s death
Some side effects are also specific to the cancer types, like:
Lung:
- Cough: Due to radiation-induced lung inflammation, people may also have a dry cough following treatment. Inquire with the doctor about OTC cough syrups or drops that can help manage the cough. If it does not get better, the individual should see the doctor.
- Breath Shortness: If one has trouble breathing, they must consult the doctor immediately.
- Chest wall pain: People may experience pain in their ribs or chest wall after therapy. Nerve terminal inflammation in the chest wall causes this. It is dependent on where people are receiving treatment. A healthcare practitioner will assist in determining how to manage the pain.
Prostate:
- Urine Irritation: People may also experience increased urinary urgency and frequency following treatment. Concerns about management should be discussed with the physician.
Pancreas and Liver:
- Diarrhoea or Nausea: After therapy, people may experience nausea or diarrhoea. Since the liver is vulnerable to radiation, it is a common occurrence. There are a variety of drugs and dietary adjustments that can be used to treat nausea and diarrhoea.
Conclusion
The nature of immediate side effects or their incidence associated with the SRS therapy is not well established, even despite the rising use of these therapeutic modalities. Thus, one must do the study well to be prepared in advance.
