High-precision targeting, non-surgical treatment, and individualized planning
Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT)
SBRT delivers highly focused radiation to tumors, typically over 1–5 treatment sessions. Equipment availability, timing, and treatment arrangements must be confirmed by the receiving hospital.
Discuss language, time, destination, and itinerary preferences. Do not submit medical records, images, or attachments here.
Travel-planning estimate; re-irradiation, implanted markers, extra tests, or admission may extend the stay.
Converted at CNY 7 = USD 1. Costs vary by condition, equipment, hospital services, and individual assessment. The hospital’s itemized estimate applies.
Treatment Advantages In China
A Comprehensive Advanced-Equipment Portfolio
Leading Chinese centers use platforms such as TrueBeam/Edge, CyberKnife, and Gamma Knife, supporting stereotactic radiotherapy needs across tumor types and enabling a broader range of technical choices.
Radiation-Oncology Networks Across Major Disease Areas
National cancer centers, including Cancer Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, and Peking Union Medical College Hospital, routinely provide SBRT with disease-specific multidisciplinary teams and multiple radiation platforms.
Earlier Start And A Shorter Overall Course
In China, SBRT is generally completed within one month from the first consultation treatment may start 1-4 weeks after consultation, while the treatment course itself is commonly 1-2 weeks. This is a reference timeframe and varies by center and tumor type.
Transparent Costs
A transparent package quotation may cover treatment planning, imaging, treatment, and inpatient nursing. Final inclusions and pricing must be confirmed in the hospital's written estimate.
Quick Overview
Understand how SBRT works, who may be eligible, how to prepare, what treatment involves, and what to expect during follow-up.
What Is Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT)?
View detailsSBRT is a highly precise external beam radiation technique delivered over a small number of treatment sessions.
Who May Be Assessed For SBRT?
View detailsSuitability requires a comprehensive multidisciplinary assessment.
Information Needed Before Treatment
View detailsPrepare pathology reports, imaging, prior treatment records, and current health information.
Treatment Process And Estimated Timeline
View detailsReview medical record assessment, simulation, treatment planning, verification, treatment, and follow-up.
Recovery And Long-Term Follow-Up
View detailsUnderstand possible reactions and follow-up priorities for different treatment sites.
Care Journey
- 01
Remote Consultation And Matching
Submit pathology, DICOM imaging, and prior treatment and radiation records through the hospital's secure channel for pre-review and hospital matching.
- 02
Remote Specialist Assessment
A standard video consultation explains whether an on-site assessment is advised, additional tests, the anticipated pathway, and risks.
- 03
Travel Planning And Preparation
Coordinate medical-visa materials, hospital appointments, flights, accommodation, companion arrangements, and medical interpretation.
- 04
Arrival Support
Arrange airport or station pickup, check-in support, and review of paper records, original imaging, and prior radiation plans.
- 05
On-Site Appointment Support
Medical interpretation supports consultations, pathology and imaging review, MDT discussion, simulation, plan explanation, and informed communication.
- 06
SBRT Delivery
The hospital completes immobilization, simulation, planning, physics QA, pre-treatment image verification, and treatment, with outpatient or inpatient observation based on risk.
- 07
Discharge And Continuing Follow-Up
Receive the treatment summary, radiation prescription and dose records, medication instructions, and follow-up plan; remote review can help connect the Chinese center with local care after return.
Medical team
Review hospitals and specialists with relevant experience in this treatment. Availability, team composition, and admission arrangements must be confirmed with the receiving hospital.
Hospitals
Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences
Beijing
Disease-focused radiotherapy teams use SRS, IGRT, VMAT, and tomotherapy, supported by medical physics quality control.
Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center
Guangzhou, Guangdong
The center provides SBRT and several image-guided and intensity-modulated radiotherapy techniques. Specific equipment and campus availability must be confirmed with the hospital.
Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center
Shanghai
The center offers photon radiotherapy and is integrated with proton and heavy-ion treatment facilities. Specific SBRT availability must be confirmed with the hospital.
Shandong Cancer Hospital
Jinan, Shandong
The hospital has CyberKnife and tomotherapy platforms for stereotactic radiotherapy.
Peking Union Medical College Hospital
Beijing
The hospital uses CyberKnife for image-guided stereotactic radiotherapy of selected intracranial and extracranial lesions.
Huashan Hospital, Fudan University
Shanghai
The CyberKnife program combines image guidance, respiratory tracking, and multidisciplinary planning.
Sichuan Cancer Hospital
Chengdu, Sichuan
Its radiotherapy platforms include CyberKnife, an MR-guided linear accelerator, and tomotherapy (TOMO).
Peking University Third Hospital
Beijing
Its radiotherapy department has a specialist team for thoracic tumors and CyberKnife treatment.
Frequently asked questions
How does SBRT differ from conventional radiation therapy?
SBRT emphasizes high precision, fewer sessions, and a higher dose per session. Conventional radiation may require more sessions. The choice depends on tumor type, treatment goal, disease extent, and normal-organ tolerance.
Is SBRT a type of surgery?
No. SBRT is a form of external-beam radiation therapy and does not involve an incision or surgical removal.
Can SBRT treat every cancer?
No. It is mainly considered for selected localized lesions or limited metastases. Extensive disease, a large lesion, proximity to critical organs, or unsuitable health status may require another approach.
Does treatment hurt?
The radiation itself is generally not felt. Immobilization, existing pain, or a longer treatment session can cause discomfort; tell the radiation therapist in advance.
How many treatment sessions are usually needed?
SBRT typically involves 1–5 treatment sessions. The exact number depends on the tumor’s location and size, nearby organ constraints, and any previous radiation therapy.
Can I receive SBRT after previous radiation therapy?
Some patients can, but the original radiation plan is needed to calculate cumulative dose. Risk assessment is more difficult when previous dose information is unavailable.
Will my body remain radioactive after treatment?
No. After standard external-beam SBRT, the body does not continue emitting radiation because of the treatment, and normal contact with family is possible.
How is SBRT charged without Chinese medical insurance?
Plan for self-funded care. Costs vary by hospital and may include treatment, simulation, planning, quality assurance, tests, medication, and hospital admission. Obtain an itemized written estimate from the hospital before treatment.
How soon after treatment will the result be known?
Radiation effects and imaging changes can continue for weeks or months. Follow the tumor-specific review schedule; immediate shrinkage after treatment does not determine success or failure.
When can I take an international flight after treatment?
There is no universal timeframe. The treatment team should assess the treatment site, acute reactions, neurological status, thrombosis risk, and medical support at the destination.
Detailed information
What Is Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT)?
Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT)
SBRT is a high-precision external-beam radiation technique delivered in a small number of sessions. CT, MRI, or PET-CT helps locate the tumor; immobilization, motion management, image guidance, and medical-physics quality control help concentrate a high radiation dose on the tumor while limiting exposure to surrounding normal tissue and critical organs.
In Plain Language
SBRT delivers highly focused radiation to a defined target, usually in 1–5 sessions. Whether it is suitable and what benefits and risks to expect depend on the tumor, nearby organs, and the individual treatment plan.
Who May Be Assessed For SBRT?
SBRT may be considered for selected patients after multidisciplinary review. Suitability depends on tumor type, location, previous treatment, and overall health.
Situations That May Be Assessed
- Early-stage non-small cell lung cancer
- Limited brain metastases (SRS)
- Selected early-stage primary liver cancers
- Localized prostate cancer
- Bone and spine metastases
- Oligometastatic non-small cell lung cancer
- Selected pancreatic cancers
- Selected local recurrences and re-irradiation cases
Information Needed Before Treatment
Information Checklist
- Complete pathology report, immunohistochemistry, and pathology slides when required
- Relevant recent contrast-enhanced CT, MRI, or PET-CT scans, with original images in DICOM format
- Records of surgery, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and other local treatments
- Recent blood count, liver and kidney function, coagulation, infection screening, and relevant tumor markers
- Pulmonary function and cardiopulmonary assessments when relevant to a lung lesion
- Radiation prescription, fractionation schedule, dose distribution, and DICOM-RT files from any previous radiation therapy
- Current symptoms, performance status, underlying conditions, implanted devices, and medication list
Treatment Process And Estimated Timeline
This is a travel-planning reference, not a fixed hospital commitment. Record completeness, the need for implanted markers, tumor motion, prior radiation, and organ risk can affect timing. With complete records, the process may take about 2–3 weeks; complex cases may take longer.
Record Pre-Review
Review diagnosis, stage, previous treatment, and preliminary eligibility.
On-Site Tests And MDT Review
Review pathology and imaging and determine whether additional tests or prior treatment are needed.
Immobilization And Simulation
Prepare immobilization devices and, when needed, perform 4D CT, contrast imaging, breath-hold, or respiratory gating.
Target Contouring And Treatment Planning
Complete image fusion, prescription design, normal-organ constraints, and plan optimization.
Pre-Treatment Physics Verification
Verify that the individual plan can be delivered and that dose delivery meets requirements.
Treatment Delivery
Complete positioning and image verification before each treatment session.
Post-Treatment Observation And Discharge Assessment
Confirm acute reactions, medication instructions, and follow-up arrangements after returning home.
Recovery And Long-Term Follow-Up
SBRT does not involve surgical-incision recovery, but radiation reactions can occur during treatment or weeks to months later. Recovery varies by treatment site, dose, fractionation, previous treatment, and underlying conditions. Fitness to fly requires individual assessment.
General Reactions
Possible reactions: fatigue, appetite changes, mild nausea, or local discomfort.
- Follow-up: rest, maintain food and fluid intake, and use medication as instructed.
Lung Treatment
Possible reactions: cough, shortness of breath, radiation pneumonitis, or chest-wall pain.
- Follow-up: seek prompt care for new or worsening breathing difficulty or persistent fever.
Liver Treatment
Possible reactions: fatigue, reduced appetite, or liver-function changes.
- Follow-up: patients with underlying liver disease should repeat liver-function tests as scheduled.
Pancreatic Or Abdominal Treatment
Possible reactions: nausea, abdominal pain, or gastrointestinal symptoms.
- Follow-up: persistent vomiting, black stools, or severe abdominal pain requires urgent assessment.
Spinal Treatment
Possible reactions: temporary pain flare or vertebral compression-fracture risk.
- Follow-up: new limb weakness, numbness, or bladder or bowel changes require emergency care.
Intracranial SRS Or FSRT
Possible reactions: headache, cerebral edema, or delayed radiation necrosis.
- Follow-up: changes in consciousness, speech, walking, or seizure activity require immediate contact with the hospital.
