UPMC Hillman Cancer Center is part of the UPMC family.

Advanced Surgical Technology and Radiosurgery Treatments

When we think of surgery, we think of an invasive or minimally invasive procedure that involves an incision through the skin.

But radiation oncology has its own form of surgery that doesn't involve incisions or pain: stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) or ablative radiotherapy (SABR).

SRS/SABR is noninvasive, and recovery time is short.

It combines medical imaging and computing with radiation oncology to produce the same results as traditional surgery without the risks.

How Does SRS/SABR Work to Treat Tumors?

SRS/SABR uses ionizing radiation instead of a scalpel or other surgical instruments to destroy, or ablate, cancer cells.

Ionizing radiation produces ions — electrically active atoms — that damage the cells of the tumor by altering their DNA.

This precisely directed radiation results in the biological inactivation of the tumor, not its removal. The tumor remains in place but no longer grows or causes illness.

Types of Stereotactic Radiosurgery Cancer Treatments

UPMC Hillman Cancer Center is a leader in SRS/SABR.

Our oncologists have extensive skill using the following SRS/SABR methods:

  • TrueBeam STx™: The TrueBeam system employs sophisticated imaging technology — called ExacTrac® — to capture images of your tumor. It then uses the images to confirm that the radiation beams are always targeting your tumor, even when it moves during breathing. TrueBeam is a good treatment option for hard-to-reach tumors.
  • Gamma Knife® Radiosurgery: Gamma Knife® radiosurgery is an advanced tool for treating brain tumors. Precise and powerful, the Gamma Knife can destroy deep-seated brain tumors once considered inoperable. It may be an option for people for whom traditional surgery is too risky.

Contact Us About Radiation Oncology at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center

To learn more about radiation treatments or to make an appointment you can: