Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy (SABR) also known as Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT), is a type of radiotherapy that uses a radiotherapy machine to treat cancer in different parts of the body, including lung cancer.
SABR differs from traditional radiotherapy by delivering a high radiation dose directly to a targeted tumour in fewer sessions. This approach lessens the exposure to nearby healthy tissue and reduces treatment side effects. It is an extremely effective cancer treatment, and I have a personal cure rate of 90% for early-stage lung cancer.
“SABR stands out as an exciting advancement in cancer treatment in the UK. It provides a highly precise and high-dose radiation approach for targeting and eliminating cancer tumours while safeguarding the surrounding healthy tissues. I'm also proud to be one of the few consultant clinical oncologists in the UK to be able to offer cutting-edge stereotactic radiotherapy technologies, including CyberKnife and MR-Linac to treat lung cancer.”
Dr James Wilson
What is stereotactic radiotherapy?
Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy (SABR) is an innovative, noninvasive therapy that delivers high doses of radiation to tumours with incredible precision. Thanks to advanced imaging techniques like CT scans and PET, we can accurately pinpoint the tumour and effectively target it with radiation beams from multiple angles. 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 a daily treatment for 6 weeks or more. This cancer treatment approach also reduces the risk of side effects and possible side effects when compared to standard external beam radiotherapy.
Using SABR, I can concentrate radiation on the tumour while minimising exposure to the surrounding healthy tissue. This allows me to also treat cancers near the heart, spine, liver, oesophagus, or main airways and brain metastases that, due to increased risk, some cancer treatment centres cannot treat. If you’re in this situation and haven’t been offered SABR cancer treatment, please contact me to learn more.
For lung cancer treatments, I typically administer SABR using cutting-edge treatment machines like linear accelerators (Linacs) or CyberKnife systems. Linacs employ high-energy X-ray beams shaped to match the tumour’s contours from various angles. CyberKnife systems use robotic technology to deliver radiation beams with exceptional accuracy from multiple directions. Furthermore, the MR-Linac combines high-resolution MRI scanning with extremely precise radiation delivery. With the MR Linac, we’re able to visualise the tumour every day during your treatment, allowing us to tailor your radiotherapy and cancer treatment plan in real-time.
Oligometastatic cancer describes the advancement of cancer from its original site to a few other regions of the body. Typically, affected locations include the brain, lymph nodes, adrenal glands, bones, liver, and lungs. Oligoprogressive cancer occurs when most of the cancer responds well to treatment, but a few spots start to grow again. In both cases, I use SABR to precisely and effectively target these limited areas.
My private practice is affiliated with a distinguished group of hospitals in London, tailored to meet your individual needs through compassionate cancer care. One significant advantage of private hospitals is their flexibility; I can find the most effective cancer treatment and treatment centre for you, and you can decide when to undergo treatment. I am here to ensure that your cancer treatment causes the least disruption to your well-being and to support you in managing any side effects quickly and effectively, all while prioritising your well-being.
If you are not based in London, I welcome patients from across the UK and provide initial video consultations to collaboratively develop affordable, personalised cancer care and treatment plans.
Additionally, should you require accommodation, I can assist in arranging a comfortable and convenient place for you to stay near my London practices.
Targeted cancer treatments
Targeted Therapy
Proton Beam Therapy
Proton beam therapy (PBT) is a specialised & highly effective radiotherapy that targets lung tumors more accurately, reducing radiation to essential organs and tissues.
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.
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”
