Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is a procedure for patients with primary and metastatic brain cancer, and inoperable brain tumors. SRS treats areas that are unapproachable with surgery and provides radiation along the edges of irregularly shaped tumors.


SRS uses a high dose of radiation focused precisely on the tumor, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue such as the brain stem, nerves and eyes, and critical brain structures. It is a one-day, single dose, outpatient procedure requiring only local anesthesia for placement of a head frame.

Recovery time with SRS is quick and may be used in addition, or as an alternative, to Gamma Knife. It may also be used in combination with other radiation methods including whole brain radiation.

Patients should tell their physician if they are claustrophobic.