Stereotactic radiosurgery - discharge


Definition

You received stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) or radiotherapy. This is a form of radiation therapy that focuses high-power x-rays onto a small area of your brain or spine.

After you go home, follow your health care provider's instructions on how to care for yourself. Use the information below as a reminder.

Alternative Names

Gamma Knife - discharge; CyberKnife - discharge; Stereotactic radiotherapy - discharge; Fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy - discharge; Cyclotrons - discharge; Linear accelerator - discharge; LINAC - discharge; Proton beam radiosurgery - discharge

When You're in the Hospital

More than one system is used to perform radiosurgery. You may have been treated with CyberKnife or Gamma Knife.

You may have a headache or feel dizzy after your treatment. This should go away over time.

Self-care

If you had pins that held a frame in place, they will be removed before you leave the hospital.

If you had anchors placed, they will be taken out when you have received all of your treatments. While the anchors are in place:

If there are no complications, such as swelling, most people return to regular activities the next day. Some people are kept in the hospital overnight for monitoring. You may develop black eyes during the week after surgery, but it is nothing to worry about.

You should be able to eat normal foods after your treatment. Ask your provider about when to return to work.

Medicines to prevent brain swelling, nausea, and pain might be prescribed. Take them as instructed.

Follow-up

You'll most likely need to have an MRI, CT scan, or angiogram a few weeks or months after the procedure. Your provider will schedule your follow-up visit.

You may need additional treatments:

When to Call the Doctor

Contact your provider if you have:

References

Yu JS, Suh JH, Ma L, Sahgal A. Radiobiology of radiotherapy and radiosurgery. In: Winn HR, ed. Youmans and Winn Neurological Surgery. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 291.


Review Date: 7/17/2022
Reviewed By: Luc Jasmin, MD, PhD, FRCS (C), FACS, Department of Surgery, Johnson City Medical Center, TN; Department of Surgery St-Alexius Medical Center, Bismarck, ND; Department of Neurosurgery Fort Sanders Medical Center, Knoxville, TN, Department of Neurosurgery UPMC Williamsport PA, Department of Maxillofacial Surgery at UCSF, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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