Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT/SABR)
Stereotactic body radiotherapy, also called SABR, delivers very precise, high-dose external radiation to small, well-defined tumors and limited metastases in only a few sessions. It treats targets such as early lung tumors, liver and spine lesions, pancreatic, prostate and adrenal tumors, and for selected patients it can be a non-invasive alternative to surgery.
Medically reviewed by the Florence Healthcare medical team · Last reviewed June 2026
Overview
Stereotactic body radiotherapy concentrates a high, precisely shaped dose of radiation onto a small tumor over a few treatments rather than the many sessions used in conventional radiotherapy. It is delivered on a TrueBeam STx linear accelerator with image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT), which verifies the target's position before and during each session, plus respiratory gating and motion management so the beam tracks tumors that move as you breathe. Detailed scans build a millimetre-accurate plan that converges the dose on the tumor while sparing nearby healthy tissue. It is used for early-stage lung cancer, liver, spine and adrenal lesions, selected pancreatic and prostate tumors, and oligometastases. Cranial stereotactic radiosurgery for brain lesions is provided separately through our Gamma Knife center.
International patients are supported by a dedicated coordinator from first enquiry to follow-up. Our radiation oncologists can review your scans and records remotely to confirm whether SBRT is appropriate before you travel, and you receive a transparent, itemized cost estimate covering planning and the full course in advance.
Who is a candidate?
- People with a small, well-defined tumor such as early-stage lung cancer
- Patients with a limited number of metastases (oligometastases) suitable for focused treatment
- Those with liver, spine, adrenal, pancreatic or prostate tumors that meet size and location criteria
- People who are not suitable for, or prefer to avoid, surgery when SBRT is clinically appropriate
- Patients needing precise re-treatment near previously irradiated areas, where feasible
- People seeking a second opinion on whether stereotactic radiotherapy fits their case
What happens
- 1
Preparation
A planning CT simulation maps the tumor in fine detail, often with additional MRI or PET imaging. Custom immobilization — a cushion, mould or body frame — and skin reference marks keep you in exactly the same position each time, and breathing is assessed so motion management can be set up.
- 2
During treatment
You lie still on the TrueBeam STx while image guidance confirms the target's position and respiratory gating accounts for breathing movement. The machine delivers the focused dose from multiple angles. Each painless session takes only minutes of beam time, with the whole course given over one to eight visits.
- 3
Afterwards & results
Because SBRT is non-invasive, most people resume normal activity straight away, and any side effects in the treated area settle over the following weeks. The tumor responds gradually, so follow-up scans track the result, and international patients receive a clear surveillance plan for after they return home.
Benefits
- Non-invasive, with no incision and no general anesthesia
- A very short course — often one to eight sessions instead of several weeks
- Submillimetre precision that spares healthy tissue around the tumor
- Can be an effective alternative to surgery for selected small tumors and oligometastases
- Usually given as an outpatient, with most people continuing daily life during treatment
Risks & considerations
- Temporary tiredness and mild, site-specific effects in the treated area that settle over a few weeks
- Possible inflammation of nearby tissue — for example the lung, oesophagus or bowel — depending on the tumor site
- Effects can occasionally appear or persist later, which follow-up is designed to detect
- Not every tumor is suitable; size, location and proximity to critical structures determine eligibility
Conditions this treats
Where it is performed
This procedure is delivered by our Comprehensive Oncology Center.
Learn more before you decide
Provider-reviewed guides on the related conditions, symptoms and tests in our Health Library.
Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT/SABR) — frequently asked questions
No. Each session is completely painless and you simply lie still while the machine delivers the treatment. Any side effects, such as tiredness or mild changes in the treated area, build up gradually and are managed with supportive care.
SBRT is given in just a few sessions, typically between one and eight depending on the tumor type, size and location. Your radiation oncologist confirms the exact number after the planning scan.
SBRT delivers a much higher, tightly focused dose in far fewer sessions, using image guidance and motion management on a TrueBeam STx so the beam stays precisely on a small target. Conventional radiotherapy spreads a lower dose over many daily sessions for larger areas.
For selected patients with small, well-defined tumors or a limited number of metastases, SBRT can be a non-invasive alternative to surgery. Whether it is right for you is decided jointly by our radiation oncologists and surgeons after reviewing your case.
Yes. You can send your imaging and medical records for a remote review, and our radiation oncologists will confirm whether SBRT is appropriate and outline a plan before you make any travel arrangements.
We provide a transparent, itemized estimate after reviewing your case rather than a fixed online price, because every plan is individual. The estimate covers the planning scan and the full treatment course, and your coordinator explains how long to plan to stay.
Related treatments
Considering stereotactic body radiotherapy (sbrt/sabr)?
Share your reports for a medical second opinion and a transparent, itemized cost estimate — usually within 48 hours.