Sunnybrook led new provincial guidelines for stereotactic radiosurgery for brain metastasis

Stereotactic Radiosurgery is a type of radiation therapy that gives a high-dose radiation in fewer doses. Large clinical trials have demonstrated that stereotactic radiosurgery is better than whole brain radiation for brain metastases. It spares healthy tissue and provides a better quality of life for patients.

Sunnybrook’s radiation oncology team has been advocating for the use of stereotactic radiosurgery for brain metastasis for several years, and has assisted several other hospitals in establishing radiosurgery programs.

Sunnybrook led a team who worked to establish a provincial evidence-based care document. Organizational Guideline for the Delivery of Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Brain Metastasis in Ontario was recently adopted by Cancer Care Ontario. This guideline provides a framework for the fundamental aspects of brain metastasis care for clinicians and hospital administrators around Ontario.

“Patients in Ontario should expect and receive a standardized approach to care, no matter where they are in the province,” said Dr. Arjun Sahgal, radiation oncologist and lead author of the guideline. “The guideline clearly outlines the specifics of the technical delivery of stereotactic radiotherapy, the multidisciplinary team that should be involved, and the timeline follow-up care.

“You might be in a different hospital, receiving treatment on a different kind of machine – but the fundamentals of care are set.”

To read the full guideline, please visit Cancer Care Ontario.