Stereotactic ablative radiation therapy SABR

What is Stereotactic ablative radiation therapy (SABR)?

SABR targets tumours in the body with high doses of radiation therapy. It destroys cancer cells with minimum damage to surrounding healthy tissues.

  • You might be offered SABR instead of surgery
  • It’s used to treat lung, spine, liver and bone tumours and tumours in individual lymph nodes
  • It offers some patients longer disease and symptom control and improved quality of life
  • It may use ‘rotational radiation therapy’ (VMAT) to focus a high dose of radiation to the tumour
  • Surrounding healthy tissue receives a lower dose, minimising the risks of side-effects
  • Targeted treatment means that SABR is effective and usually over quickly – just three to eight sessions

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