SRS and SBRT Integration with Supportive Care

Advanced techniques in radiotherapy including stereotactic radiotherapy (both intracranial and stereotactic body radiotherapy [SBRT]) hold significant promise in the treatment of patients with metastatic cancer, both by allowing dose escalation and by decreasing dose to normal tissues. There are limited studies directly comparing these advanced techniques with conventional palliative radiotherapy. Patients with short, anticipated life expectancy may not live long enough to benefit from these advanced technologies, and, thus, the role of advanced radiotherapy techniques near the end of life remains an open topic for exploration. Ongoing studies will help to clarify the position of advanced technologies in palliative radiotherapy near the end of life.