Skip to Content

Stereotactic Spine Radiosurgery

UPMC is one of the world’s leading centers for stereotactic radiosurgery for both brain and spine tumors and lesions. In fact, our experts published the second edition of the textbook Spine Radiosurgery in 2015.

What Is Stereotactic Radiosurgery?

Stereotactic radiosurgery is a treatment that uses many highly focused beams of radiation to destroy the tissue that a surgeon would otherwise have to remove. This noninvasive treatment does not damage the healthy tissue and organs, critical nerves, or blood vessels that are nearby.

Spine Radiosurgery Using CyberKnife® and TrueBeam™ Technology

UPMC is the most experienced center in the world for spine radiosurgery. More than 2,000 patients with spine tumors and lesions have been treated at UPMC from around the globe to benefit from our team’s experience with this advanced technology.

Stereotactic spine radiosurgery precisely delivers high doses of radiation to tumors of the spine and spinal cord. The beams completely destroy the tumors that would otherwise need to be surgically removed.

Conditions treated with stereotactic spine radiosurgery

Spine radiosurgery may be used to treat benign or malignant lesions of the spine, including:

Benefits of stereotactic spine radiosurgery

Spine radiosurgery using the CyberKnife and TrueBeam platforms is safe and effective for the treatment of a wide variety of spinal tumors. The benefits of spine radiosurgery include:

  • No incision
  • Outpatient procedure
  • Bloodless
  • Rapid recovery
  • Excellent long-term pain and tumor control

The treatment team includes an experienced group of neurosurgeons, radiation oncologists, and medical physicists who work together closely to provide the most effective treatment for each patient.