Oligometastatic disease is a term used to describe cancer that has spread from its primary site but only to a few specific locations in the body. In this intermediate stage, between localised cancer and widespread metastasis, the disease is often limited enough to allow for targeted treatments like Stereotactic Ablative Body Radiotherapy (SABR). Clinical trials have confirmed that SABR is a very effective treatment option for managing oligometastatic disease, offering patients an opportunity to control the spread of their cancer with fewer side effects and delays in systemic therapies such as chemotherapy.
What is Oligometastatic Disease?
Oligometastatic disease occurs when cancer cells spread from the primary tumour but are limited to a few distinct areas, typically fewer than five. This stage offers a window of opportunity to treat those metastatic sites aggressively and potentially delay the progression to widespread metastatic disease. Treatment in this stage can extend survival, improve quality of life, and delay the need for more systemic, whole-body treatments.
How Does Stereotactic Radiotherapy Help?
Stereotactic Ablative Body Radiotherapy (SABR) delivers highly focused, high-dose radiation to tumours in just a few treatment sessions, usually between 1 and 10. Using advanced imaging, SABR targets the tumours with precision, sparing healthy tissue and minimising side effects. This makes it particularly effective for patients with oligometastatic disease, where precise targeting of metastatic lesions is crucial.
Key Benefits of SABR for Oligometastatic Disease:
- Precision: SABR uses imaging techniques like CT or PET scans to pinpoint tumours, allowing for precise radiation delivery to just the metastatic sites.
- Minimal Side Effects: The targeted approach reduces the impact on surrounding healthy tissue, leading to fewer side effects compared to conventional therapies.
- Convenient Treatment: SABR can often be completed in just a few sessions, offering a much shorter treatment course compared to traditional radiation.
- Potential for Disease Control: By treating isolated metastatic lesions, SABR can control the disease for extended periods, delaying the need for systemic treatments like chemotherapy.
Evidence Supporting SABR for Oligometastatic Disease
Several clinical studies have demonstrated the efficacy of SABR in treating oligometastatic disease across various cancer types.
- The SABR-COMET trial provided strong evidence that treating multiple metastatic sites with SABR can significantly extend lifespan. The trial showed that patients treated with SABR had better outcomes compared to those who received standard care alone.
- The TRANSFORM trial also supports the use of SABR in treating oligometastatic cancer, showing that patients who received stereotactic radiotherapy to treat all visible lesions experienced extended progression-free survival and delayed the need for further systemic therapies.
These studies, and others like them, have changed the way doctors think about treating metastatic disease. Instead of assuming that metastatic cancer is always incurable, there is growing optimism that aggressive treatment of oligometastatic lesions with SABR can offer real benefits to patients.
Conditions Treated with SABR for Oligometastatic Disease
SABR is effective across a wide range of cancers in the oligometastatic stage. It has been used to treat:
- Lung cancer with metastases to the brain, bones, or other organs.
- Breast cancer that has spread to specific areas like the bones or liver.
- Colorectal cancer that has metastasized to the liver or lungs.
- Prostate cancer with a limited number of bone or lymph node metastases.
The goal of SABR in these cases is to control the spread of the disease, reduce symptoms, and delay the need for more intensive treatments.
Why Choose SABR for Oligometastatic Disease?
For patients with a limited number of metastases, SABR offers a chance to actively manage the cancer without the toxicity of systemic therapies. The precision of SABR allows doctors to target specific metastatic lesions with minimal harm to surrounding tissues, leading to fewer side effects and quicker recovery. This makes it an appealing option for patients looking to maintain a good quality of life while keeping their cancer under control.
How Pinpoint Radiotherapy Can Help
At Pinpoint Radiotherapy, we specialise in using stereotactic radiotherapy to treat patients with oligometastatic disease. Our state-of-the-art technology and highly experienced team ensure that every treatment is delivered with precision and care. We work closely with each patient to develop a personalised treatment plan that meets their unique needs.
If you’ve been diagnosed with oligometastatic disease and are exploring your treatment options, contact Pinpoint Radiotherapy today. We’re here to guide you through your options and provide advanced, patient-centred care to help you take control of your cancer.