Evolution of Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy in Lung Cancer and Birmingham’s (UK) Experience

Abstract

Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) has taken a pivotal role in early lung cancer management particularly in the medically inoperable patients. Retrospective studies have shown this to be well tolerated with comparable results to surgery and no significant increase in toxicity. Paucity of randomized evidence has dictated initiation of several trials to provide good quality evidence to steer future practice. This review summaries salient developments in lung SABR, comparisons to surgery and other platforms and our local experience at University Hospitals Birmingham, UK of lung SABR since its initiation in June 2013.

Keywords

• lung cancer
• radiotherapy
• stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR)
• stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT)
• radiofrequency ablation (RFA)
• microwave ablation
• dosimetry
• radiotherapy treatment techniques