Stereotactic Radiotherapy - Strategic Treatment for Stage 4 Cancer
Advanced Treatment Options To Control Cancer That Has Spread
If you or a loved one have been told that your Stage 4 cancer is "incurable," there may be an option that can lead to long term control of the secondary cancers. For carefully selected patients with metastatic cancer, stereotactic radiotherapy (SABR or SBRT) achieves up to 95% control rates of the treated lesions.
Find out if stereotacic radiotherapy could help you
No GP referral needed - care that compliments and integrates with your NHS treatment
Get a specialist opinion without the wait. Dr Wilson and his team review enquiries on the same day and will offer guidance as to whether this the best treatment option for your Stage 4 cancer.
What is Metastatic Cancer? Can Stereotactic Radiotherapy Help?
Metastatic cancer, or Stage 4 cancer, means the disease has spread beyond its original location. While this typically requires drug treatments like chemotherapy, there are specific situations where targeted radiotherapy can make a profound difference.
Not all Stage 4 cancers are the same. When cancer has spread to only a few locations, or when most areas are responding to treatment but a few spots are growing, stereotactic radiotherapy becomes an excellent option.
SABR can be used to eradicate all sites of detectable disease or it can be useful in postponing having to start drugs like chemotherapy or the need to switch from the treatment you are on.
Stage 4 cancer doesn't always mean starting new drug treatments like chemotherapy. When cancer has spread to only a few places, precise radiotherapy can control those spots while you stay on therapies that work. If one or two sites are progressing on treatment, save the next line of drug treatment for when you truly need it.
What is oligometastatic cancer?
Cancer that has spread to only 1-5 specific sites in the body
Different from widespread metastatic disease - offers different treatment options
Can often be targeted with precise SABR radiotherapy in just a few sessions
If this describes your situation, it's worth exploring whether targeted treatment could work for you
SABR can be a useful treatment when the cancer has spread to a small number of places
Who Is SABR Treatment For? Stage 4 Cancer Patient Selection
Why SABR in Stage 4 cancer?
How to identify those most likely to benefit
When Your Cancer Treatment Is Working – Except in One or Two Spots
This is called oligoprogression, and you have more control than you think.
Your current treatment is doing an excellent job controlling cancer throughout your body
But cancer is crafty – it finds ways to escape control in 1-2 spots while staying controlled everywhere else
You don't have to stop a treatment that's working well
Stereotactic radiotherapy can target just the growing spots, keeping you on your successful treatment for months or even years longer
Dr Wilson has patients who've stayed on their original treatment for 2+ years after SABR
Works for lung cancer, colon cancer, breast cancer, and prostate cancers - or any cancer type
The bottom line: Don't throw away a treatment that's working because of one or two problem areas. Ask about stereotactic radiotherapy to stay on what's working for as long as possible.
SABR Targets the Problem Areas While Your Treatment Keeps Working
What is SABR?
Non invasive, ablative treatment
Short treatment course
Highly accurate, targeted treatment
Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy (SABR) obliterates cancer with surgical precision – without surgery.
Why SABR Works So Well for Stage 4 Cancer: Unlike conventional radiotherapy that requires daily treatments for 6+ weeks, SABR typically needs just 1-5 sessions. Advanced imaging (CT and PET scans) allows us to target each cancer spot with millimetre accuracy, delivering doses powerful enough to destroy cancer cells while minimising side effects.
Treating Cancer in Difficult Places SABR can safely treat secondary cancers near vital organs – the heart, spine, liver, brain, and major airways – areas where surgery might be too risky. If other centres have told you these spots "can't be treated," SABR may offer a solution.
State-of-the-Art Technology Dr Wilson uses three of the world's most advanced systems:
CyberKnife: Robotic precision for complex locations
Linear Accelerators (Linacs): High-energy beams shaped to match tumour contours
MR-Linac: Real-time MRI guidance during treatment for maximum accuracy
Treatment on Your Terms Private care means you choose when to have treatment, with minimal waiting times. Dr Wilson works across London's leading cancer centres to find the best facility for your specific situation. UK-wide patients welcome, with initial video consultations available.
Our Reviews
What people are saying
"After being diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancel that had spread to my lungs, I found James as I was frustrated at the lack of options for treatment I was being offered...for the first time since my Stage 4 diagnosis, I have some positivity in my life and this is largely down to James and his team and the care I received. I self paid for my treatment with James, and whilst there was a cost to the treatment, the value he provided far exceeds this. I would highly recommend James to anyone needing similar treatment."
Doctify review from a verified patient
Why people choose stereotactic radiotherapy for oligometastatic and oligoprogressive disease
Pinpoint accuracy:
SABR only treats the spot of secondary cancer itself, with minimal impact on surrounding healthy tissue. In one large study of patients with oligometastatic cancer, 95% of treated areas remained controlled.
Non-Surgical Option:
No hospital stay, no general anaesthetic, just highly targeted, non-invasive treatment delivered as an outpatient.
Quick to Complete:
Most people need between one and five short sessions, compared with several weeks for standard radiotherapy.
Keeps Other Treatments on Track:
Because SABR is completed quickly, it rarely requires a long pause in chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or targeted therapy.
Delay or Avoid Chemotherapy:
By controlling cancer in one or two spots, SABR can sometimes delay the need for starting chemotherapy – or help you stay on a treatment that's already working for longer.
Well Tolerated:
Most patients have only mild, short-lived side effects, allowing them to keep their normal routines. Severe side effects are uncommon, affecting fewer than 2 in 100 people.
What are the side effects of stereotactic radiotherapy?
The reassuring truth: most patients experience only mild, short-lived side effects from SABR treatment.
Unlike traditional radiotherapy that affects large areas of the body, stereotactic radiotherapy precisely targets cancer spots while sparing healthy tissue. This dramatically reduces the risk of serious complications.
Common Side Effects (Most Patients)
Mild fatigue – usually lasting 1-2 weeks after treatment
Skin irritation – similar to mild sunburn in the treatment area
Temporary soreness – around the treated spot, manageable with standard painkillers
Nausea – only when treating areas near the stomach, typically mild
Location-Specific Effects
The side effects you might experience depend on where your secondary cancer is located:
Brain treatments: Mild headache or fatigue; Lung treatments: Slight cough or breathlessness (usually temporary); Liver treatments: Mild nausea or temporary digestive changes; Spine treatments: Possible pain flare
Serious Side Effects Are Rare with Stereotactic Radiotherapy
Less than 2 in 100 patients experience severe side effects (grade 3-5 toxicity). This excellent safety record comes from careful treatment planning and advanced imaging that protects vital organs.
Quick Recovery Means Staying on Track
Most patients return to their normal routine within days, not weeks. This means minimal disruption to your ongoing cancer treatments – you can stay on therapies that are working without long treatment breaks.
The bottom line: SABR's precision means you get powerful cancer control with manageable side effects, allowing you to maintain your quality of life while proactively managing the disease.
You Won't Leave Your Consultation Without Answers and a Clear Next Step
Is Metastatic Cancer Curable? Is Stage 4 Cancer Terminal?
The honest answer is complex – and more hopeful than many people realise.
For most patients, metastatic cancer (Stage 4) cannot be completely cured in the traditional sense. However, this doesn't mean the situation is hopeless or that all patients face the same outcome.
Moving Beyond "Terminal" Language
Many people worry that Stage 4 cancer means they're "terminal," but this isn't how I approach patient care. The patients I see with oligometastatic or oligoprogressive cancer are typically a long way from end-of-life discussions. They're living well, staying active, and enjoying good quality time with their families.
SABR treatment aims to help that good quality time continue for as long as possible.
The Oligometastatic Exception
Some patients with limited spread may achieve long-term control or even cure-like outcomes. When cancer has spread to only a few spots (oligometastatic disease), targeted treatments like SABR can sometimes achieve remarkable results.
What the Research Shows
The international SABR-COMET trial followed patients with oligometastatic cancer who received stereotactic radiotherapy:
Some patients remained disease-free for over 5 years after treatment
These "long-term survivors" demonstrate what may be possible for carefully selected patients
While not typical for all Stage 4 patients, these outcomes show the potential of precision treatment
It's important to note that outcomes vary significantly between individuals, cancer types, and treatment responses.
Modern Treatment is Changing Outcomes
Cancer treatments are advancing rapidly. Many patients now live with metastatic cancer as a manageable condition. The key is:
Strategic treatment sequencing – using the right treatment at the right time
Maintaining quality of life while controlling disease
Preserving future options rather than rushing to intensive treatments
Every Case is Individual
Your prognosis depends on many factors: cancer type, spread pattern, overall health, and treatment response. What matters most is getting expert assessment of your specific situation and all available options.
The reality: Stage 4 cancer is serious, but with modern treatments and careful planning, many patients achieve years of good-quality life while staying active and engaged with their families.
Frequently asked questions
How does SABR differ from traditional radiotherapy?
Due to its unique approach, Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy (SABR) is distinct from conventional radiotherapy. SABR administers a high radiation dose to a precisely targeted tumour over fewer treatment sessions while sparing surrounding healthy tissues. In contrast, traditional radiotherapy typically involves delivering lower doses over multiple sessions, thereby affecting a larger area.
How does SABR differ from traditional radiotherapy?
Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy (SABR) is recognised for its exceptional precision in targeting tumours, often achieving accuracy within millimetres. This high level of accuracy is made possible by advanced imaging technologies that ensure precise targeting while reducing harm to nearby healthy tissues.
Stereotactic radiotherapy gives a high chance of eliminating the cancer in anything from a single treatment radiation dose through to eight radiation dose treatments, compared to conventional radiotherapy, which can be daily treatment for 6 weeks or more.
Is stereotactic radiotherapy painful?
Stereotactic radiation therapy (SRT), which encompasses SABR (Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy) and SBRT (Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy), is typically painless during treatment.
The procedure is similar to an X-ray, so you shouldn't feel any burning, heat, or pain. Any side effects from stereotactic radiotherapy that you may experience depend on the area of the body being treated, and I'll always take the time to discuss what you can expect before your treatment begins.
How long does stereotactic radiotherapy treatment take?
Stereotactic radiation treatment, including radiosurgery and stereotactic body radiotherapy, can vary in length, typically ranging from 15 minutes to an hour or so for a complex treatment.
Some stereotactic radiotherapy treatments might be broken into multiple sessions over several days or weeks, while others can be completed in one session.
What cancers can it treat?
Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) is considered a breakthrough in lung cancer treatment in the UK because it offers a highly precise and high-dose radiation method for targeting and destroying cancer tumours with minimal damage to surrounding healthy tissues and fewer side effects.
Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is also a precise radiation therapy used to treat brain tumours by delivering a focused dose of radiation to a small area. It's a non-surgical procedure, meaning no incisions are made, andit's often used for small or inaccessible brain tumours.
Additionally, SABR can be used to treat any type of cancer that has spread (metastasis) and other primary cancers, such as prostate cancer, colon cancer, breast cancer, and any oligometastatic cancer.
How does your clinical approach differ?
I specialise in state-of-the-art cancer and lung cancer treatments that offer powerful alternatives to surgery and traditional radiotherapy. As a leading UK cancer doctor, I am now able to offer more people with cancer and lung cancer treatments the potential for a cure than ever before.
I am one of the few radiation oncology health professionals in the UK who can offer SABR using both the MR-Linac and Cyberknife, along with advanced treatment options such as clinical trials and combined immunotherapy approaches.
What is CyberKnife?
CyberKnife is an advanced form of radiation therapy specifically designed to target and treat cancer with unparalleled precision. Using state-of-the-art robotics and real-time imaging, CyberKnife delivers highly accurate radiation and high doses of radiation to cancer tumors while sparing healthy surrounding tissues.
A major benefit of CyberKnife treatment is its noninvasive approach, which provides patients with a comfortable and convenient cancer treatment experience.
Our Reviews
What people are saying
“Dr Wilson’s clinical knowledge and expertise is second to none. He is very personable and has a great understanding of the anxiety patients are experiencing. He always has time to explain the journey ahead and treatment that will be delivered. Following my consultation I felt confident the I was going to receive the best possible care and treatment. Both during and after my radiotherapy I felt fully supported by Dr Wilson and his team”
