Intraoperative radiation therapy, stereotactic radiosurgery, and stereotactic body radiation therapy are examples of what category?

• A. Brachytherapy
• B. External Beam Radiation
• C. Gamma Knife
• D. Types of External Beam Radiation

Answer: (D)

These are all delivered from outside the body, using beams aimed precisely at the target. External beam radiation therapy covers a range of techniques that deposit radiation to the tumor without implanting sources inside the patient. Intraoperative radiation therapy uses an external beam during surgery, stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) delivers a highly focused dose in one or few sessions, and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) extends that precise, high-dose approach to the body outside the operating room. Gamma Knife is a specialized system for performing SRS, but it’s still an external beam technique. So the best umbrella category is types of external beam radiation therapy.