SABR Radiation: The Process
- SABR radiation for ovarian cancer is a treatment method that involves multiple computers and 3D scanning
- The process begins with a full-body planning scan, which takes about 45 minutes to an hour
- Doctors then use that scan to map out the precise treatment location on specific computers
During the planning process, the patient’s full body is scanned so that the doctors can identify the exact location they plan to treat with radiation. This usually takes about 45 minutes to an hour. Then, the doctors will use that scan alongside other images of the cancer tumor to map out the radiation dosage and the position in which the woman will receive the radiation.
Read More “In very complex three dimensional approach, the radiation beams are actually planned,” Dr. Albuquerque says. “We delivered to the tumor location in a three dimensional model in the computer. This three dimensional model of the tumor in the patient is then translated to the treatment machine when that actual delivery takes place.” During the actual radiation session, the patient will lie in the same mold or position that she did during the planning scan. The commuter that the doctors used to plan out the treatment will then communicate directly with the machine to make sure the treatment is precise. The actual delivery takes about half and hour at most, Dr. Albuquerque says. “Typically, there is no pain, and generally no noise but from a slight clicking sound for the delivery of radiation therapy to the tumor.”
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