Stereotactic Radiosurgery Program
Stereotactic Radiosurgery Treatment
Stereotactic Radiosurgery uses highly specialized stereotactic radiosurgery equipment to focus beams of radiation only where they are needed to treat brain and spinal tumors, vascular lesions or neurologic conditions such as trigeminal neuralgia without damaging healthy brain tissue.Treatment can be administered in a single session or, in some cases, over several sessions (termed Stereotactic Radiotherapy). These beams are formed to the complex, 3D shape of each person’s tumor, allowing physicians to administer higher doses of radiation more precisely and safely.
Treatment plans designed by a team of neurosurgeons, radiation oncologists and radiation physicists are based on 3D magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computerized tomography (CT) to provide an accurate view of each patient’s anatomy and the shape and location of the tumor to be treated. This approach is highly effective and reduces the toxicity and complications of more conventional radiation or surgical approaches.
The Houston Methodist Radiosurgery Program offers treatment with either the Gamma Knife Icon® or Novalis® treatment systems, allowing maximal flexibility for patient-tailored treatment (see below).
Our Team
Multiple neurosurgery and radiation oncology providers participate in the Houston Methodist Radiosurgery Program under the direction of our Co-Directors, Robert Rostomily, MD, and Brian Butler, MD. Our specialized multidisciplinary team, consists of a neurosurgeon, radiation oncologist, and radiation physicist, works together to evaluate each case and make recommendations for management, including surgical or medical options where appropriate.Our Program
The Houston Methodist Radiosurgery Program is a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach committed to advancing the latest in stereotactic radiosurgery clinical care, research and education. Our clinical effort is anchored on a patient-centered multidisciplinary clinic team involved in the entire process, from pre-treatment evaluation, treatment and follow-up. We strive to provide efficient evaluation and treatment to ensure the timeliest return to ongoing care provided by referring physicians, while ensuring appropriate and accessible follow-up after treatments. Our research efforts include new approaches to applying treatment and targeting lesions, as well as basic studies of radiation effects in cancer models.
Our clinical research is supported by a comprehensive patient registry to track outcomes, a 7T MRI and research protocol to study novel PET tracers, a tissue repository and small animal stereotactic irradiator to support basic radiation oncology studies . Our educational mission involves training of neurosurgery and radiation oncology residents, as well as educational seminars and CME.
