Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy as a Derivative of Stereotactic Radiosurgery: Clinically Independent but with Enduring Common Themes

The document discussed the historical development and evolution of cranial stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and extracranial stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), tracing their origins back to early 20th-century radiotherapy techniques. Initially, large-dose sessions were used to minimize radiation exposure to healthcare workers, a practice informed by the Law of Bergonie and Tribondeau, which noted that mitotically active cells are more sensitive to radiation. Over time, technological advancements improved safety and efficacy, leading to the modern practice of SRS and SBRT. By the early 21st century, these techniques had become sophisticated, with guidelines from the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) ensuring quality and safety. The primary goal of these therapies was to deliver a high radiation dose precisely to the target while sparing surrounding healthy tissue, achieved through multiple converging beams.