Stereotactic Radiosurgery | Trilogy Radiosurgery

Trilogy SRS: Precision, Versatility, and Comfort

Trilogy® Radiosurgery represents one of the most advanced and versatile Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) technologies available today. Developed by Varian Medical Systems, Trilogy offers unmatched precision, power, and speed—making it a leading option for treating brain, spine, and central nervous system (CNS) tumors.

At Advanced Radiation Centers (ARC), our physicians are experts in using Trilogy SRS to treat a wide variety of both malignant and benign lesions. ARC was also the first center on Long Island to install the Trilogy Stereotactic Radiosurgery Linear Accelerator, underscoring our long-standing commitment to technological leadership and innovation in cancer care.

SRS is a non-invasive radiation treatment that uses highly focused beams of radiation to target tumors and other abnormalities with sub-millimeter accuracy. It delivers very high doses of radiation in a single session (or a few sessions, in some cases), minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues.

The word “stereotactic” comes from the Greek for “movement in space” and refers to the use of a 3D coordinate system to precisely locate the tumor. This same concept is used in neurosurgery to biopsy or remove lesions, but in radiosurgery, no incision is needed.

Unlike other radiosurgery platforms, Trilogy SRS offers:

  • Sub-millimeter precision with image-guided accuracy
  • Real-time imaging and motion tracking during treatment
  • RapidArc® VMAT technology for shorter, more comfortable sessions
  • Full 360° rotational beam delivery
  • High-dose delivery in a matter of minutes

Trilogy can perform a full range of radiation therapies:

  • SRS (Stereotactic Radiosurgery)
  • SBRT (Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy)
  • IMRT (Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy)
  • IGRT (Image-Guided Radiation Therapy)
  • 3D-CRT (3D Conformal Radiation Therapy)
  • DART (Dynamic Adaptive Radiation Therapy)

While other devices like Gamma Knife and CyberKnife specialize in radiosurgery, Trilogy SRS offers superior versatility, enabling it to treat a wider variety of conditions across multiple parts of the body.

Key advantages of Trilogy SRS include:

  • Highest dose rate (up to 1000 MU/min) for shorter treatment sessions
  • 2D/3D kV image guidance for ultra-precise targeting
  • Frameless or framed stereotactic systems for maximum patient comfort
  • Cone-Beam CT (CBCT) imaging for real-time anatomical alignment
  • Dynamic high-resolution MLCs (multileaf collimators) for beam sculpting
  • RPM™ gating for precise synchronization with patient breathing
  • Argus QA tools for plan verification and treatment assurance

Trilogy SRS is ideally suited for treating intracranial and spinal tumors, including both malignant and benign lesions.

Malignant Brain Tumors:

  • Astrocytomas
  • Glioblastomas (GBM)
  • Gliomas
  • Germinomas
  • Brain metastases from breast, lung, colorectal, and other cancers

Benign Conditions:

  • Acoustic Neuromas
  • Trigeminal Neuralgia
  • Arteriovenous Malformations (AVMs)

Can Trilogy SRS Treat Tumors Outside the Brain?

Yes—with the development of Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT), Trilogy SRS is increasingly used to treat tumors in:

  • Lung
  • Liver
  • Pancreas
  • Spine
  • Adrenal glands
  • Lymph nodes

However, due to the stability of the skull and cranial landmarks, SRS remains most precise when used to treat lesions within the brain and spine.

Not all patients are eligible for Trilogy SRS. Factors considered include:

  • Tumor type
  • Tumor size and location
  • Patient’s age and general health
  • Prior treatment history

Your Radiation Oncologist at ARC will evaluate your case and collaborate with neurosurgeons and physicists to determine the best approach for your condition.

Trilogy SRS is non-invasive, making it an appealing alternative to traditional surgery, particularly for hard-to-reach or high-risk tumors.

Key benefits over surgery include:

  • No incision or anesthesia
  • Minimal recovery time—most patients resume normal activities the next day
  • Reduced risk of infection or bleeding
  • No hospital stay (vs. an average of 15 days for craniotomy)
  • Lower cost and morbidity

The main limitation of SRS is that effects may take time to fully develop, whereas surgery may produce more immediate results.

  1. Consultation & Imaging: A detailed consultation with your care team will be followed by MRI and CT imaging to define the target.
  2. Simulation: A planning session creates a custom immobilization device (framed or frameless) to ensure precise targeting.
  3. Treatment Planning: Our physicists and Radiation Oncologists design a highly customized treatment plan using advanced dosimetry software.
  4. Treatment Delivery: During the procedure, radiation is delivered from multiple angles with real-time imaging guidance. The actual radiation delivery lasts 2–10 minutes.
  5. Recovery: Most patients return to daily life immediately with little or no downtime.

Advanced Care, Powered by Trilogy

With Trilogy SRS, Advanced Radiation Centers combines the latest in radiosurgical precision with a compassionate, patient-centered approach to cancer care. Whether you’re facing a complex brain tumor or seeking a less invasive option for a CNS lesion, Trilogy offers a powerful alternative to open surgery with outcomes you can trust.