Spinal tumours, whether primary or metastatic, can be challenging to treat due to the delicate nature of the surrounding structures. The spine houses the spinal cord and critical nerves, making traditional surgery or conventional radiation risky and potentially harmful to these sensitive areas. This is where Stereotactic Ablative Body Radiotherapy (SABR) comes into play. With its ability to deliver high-dose, focused radiation precisely to the tumour, SABR has become a powerful, non-invasive tool in treating spinal tumours while preserving the patient’s quality of life.
What is Spine SABR?
Spine SABR is an advanced form of radiotherapy that delivers precise, high-dose radiation directly to spinal tumours. Using cutting-edge imaging technologies like 3D and 4D CT scans, SABR maps the exact location of the tumour, accounting for any movement during breathing or other body functions. This allows doctors to target the tumour with sub-millimeter accuracy, sparing the surrounding spinal cord and other critical structures from unnecessary radiation exposure.
One of the primary benefits of Spine SABR is that it’s a non-invasive treatment. Unlike surgery, there are no incisions, no need for anesthesia, and no extended recovery period. Patients can typically resume their normal activities quickly, often the same day or shortly after the treatment.
What is Spine SABR Used For?
Spine SABR is most commonly used to treat metastatic tumours that have spread to the spine from other primary cancers, such as breast, lung, or prostate cancer. Metastatic spinal tumours can cause pain, compression of the spinal cord, and even neurological deficits, making timely and effective treatment critical.
In addition to treating metastatic disease, Spine SABR can also be used for primary spinal tumours that originate in the spine or spinal cord. SABR is particularly effective for patients who are not candidates for surgery due to the tumour’s location or because of underlying health conditions.
Because of its precision, SABR is also used to treat recurrent spinal tumours, particularly in patients who have previously received radiation to the spine. Traditional radiotherapy often cannot be repeated due to cumulative damage to healthy tissues, but SABR’s focused approach allows for the safe retreatment of spinal tumours.
Benefits of Spine SABR
Spine SABR offers a range of benefits that make it a preferred option for many patients:
- Precision and Safety: SABR’s ability to deliver radiation with sub-millimeter accuracy makes it ideal for treating spinal tumours located near the spinal cord. This precision minimizes the risk of damaging healthy spinal tissue and nerves, which is a major concern with conventional radiotherapy and surgery.
- Non-Invasive: SABR provides an effective alternative to surgery, especially for patients who are not surgical candidates. With no need for incisions or general anesthesia, patients avoid the risks associated with invasive procedures.
- Pain Management: One of the key uses of SABR in spinal tumours is pain relief. For patients with metastatic spinal tumours causing significant pain, SABR has shown to provide rapid and effective pain control, improving the patient’s quality of life.
- Short Treatment Time: Like other forms of SABR, spine treatments are usually completed in 1 to 5 sessions, each lasting between 30 to 60 minutes. This is a major advantage over traditional radiation therapy, which can require up to 30 sessions spread over several weeks.
- Minimal Side Effects: Due to the precise targeting of SABR, the risk of side effects is greatly reduced compared to conventional radiotherapy. Patients often experience only mild fatigue or temporary discomfort, with far fewer long-term complications.
- Effective Disease Control: Clinical studies have shown that SABR provides excellent local control of spinal tumours, with high rates of tumour shrinkage or stabilisation. For metastatic spine disease, it can delay the progression of cancer and extend the patient’s survival, while maintaining their quality of life.
How Spine SABR Improves Quality of Life
One of the most significant advantages of Spine SABR is its ability to improve a patient’s quality of life, particularly when treating metastatic spinal disease. Spinal metastases can cause severe, debilitating pain, as well as the risk of spinal cord compression, which can lead to paralysis or neurological impairment. By precisely targeting the tumour and delivering a powerful dose of radiation, SABR can rapidly reduce tumour size and alleviate pressure on the spinal cord, providing pain relief and preventing further neurological damage.
Moreover, because Spine SABR is non-invasive, patients can avoid the complications and recovery time associated with surgery, allowing them to return to their normal routines much more quickly. However, in some circumstances, surgery is necessary to relieve pressure on the spinal cord/nerves cause by the cancer.
Why Choose Spine SABR?
SABR has emerged as a go-to treatmentis an excellent treatment option for spinal tumours due to its combination of precision, safety, and convenience. It offers excellent tumour control while minimising damage to critical structures like the spinal cord and nerves. Whether for primary spinal tumours, metastatic disease, or recurrent cases, SABR provides patients with an effective treatment option that allows them to maintain a better quality of life throughout their cancer journey.
How Pinpoint Radiotherapy Can Help
At Pinpoint Radiotherapy, we specialise in delivering advanced stereotactic radiotherapy, including Spine SABR, to treat spinal tumours with precision and care. Our state-of-the-art technology ensures that every treatment is personalised to meet your unique needs, offering you the best possible outcomes with minimal side effects.
Whether you are managing metastatic disease, a primary spinal tumour, or a recurrence, our experienced team is here to guide you through your treatment options. Contact Pinpoint Radiotherapy today to learn more about how we can help you regain control of your cancer care and improve your quality of life.