Stereotactic Radiotherapy Treatment in Rural New Mexico

August 1, 2025

Radiation therapy is a common and effective way to treat many kinds of cancer. However, the advanced machines needed to deliver this kind treatment are very expensive, smaller or rural hospitals often don’t have them. One type of radiation treatment that works well and often has fewer side effects is called stereotactic radiotherapy, or SRT.

What is Stereotactic Radiotherapy (SRT)?

Stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) is an advanced radiation therapy that delivers strong doses of radiation to a very small and exact area. This precision helps destroy cancer cells while reducing damage to nearby healthy tissue.

SRT is commonly used to treat tumors of the:

• Brain

• Spine

• Lungs

• Liver

• Bones

• Other areas where cancer has spread (metastatic cancer)

Because the treatment is so targeted, many patients experience fewer side effects and faster recovery times compared to traditional radiation therapy.

Fewer Treatment Visits, Less Travel

In the past, patients who lived in rural areas of New Mexico and needed this treatment had to travel far. Traditional radiation treatments often require visits every day for 4 to 8 weeks, creating challenges for patients and their families.

With stereotactic radiotherapy, treatment can be finished in just 1 to 4 sessions. This significantly reduces travel, time away from work or family, and the overall stress of cancer treatment. Also, with newer technology, many patients can check in with their doctors from home after the treatment is done. This means they can recover at home and still get the same high-quality care they would get in a big city hospital.

“Our patients in New Mexico were among the first in the country to benefit from this approach for tumors in the brain, spine, lung, liver, bone, and elsewhere”, said Dr. Amit Garg, medical director of radiation oncology at Presbyterian.

Expanding Advanced Cancer Care in Rural New Mexico

Presbyterian is working to expand access to stereotactic radiotherapy across rural communities in New Mexico. The goal is to bring high-quality cancer treatment closer to home, so patients do not have to travel far to receive advanced care.

By offering innovative treatments like SRT, Presbyterian Cancer Care is helping improve long-term outcomes, reduce side effects, and make cancer care more accessible for patients throughout the state.

Learn More About Cancer Care at Presbyterian

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer, talk with your care team about whether stereotactic radiotherapy may be an option.

Visit phs.org/cancer to learn more about advanced cancer treatments, radiation therapy, clinical trials, and other services available across New Mexico.

Clinical information provided by Amit Garg, MD, medical director of radiation oncology, Presbyterian Cancer Care.