Brain metastases
Cancer that has spread to the brain — each deposit targeted individually, often in a single session, while sparing the rest of the brain.
Treatments
Radiosurgery — surgery's precision,
Radiosurgery — surgery's precision,
without the incision.
Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) delivers precise, high-dose radiation beams to a small, localised area — most often in the brain — to destroy a lesion. Usually a single treatment, sometimes up to five. It works like a targeted missile: striking the tumour with minimal collateral damage, and no open surgery.
1–5Sessions — often just one
Sub-mmTargeting accuracy
0Incisions, anaesthesia or hospital stay
Image · placeholderPatient in a radiosurgery immobilisation mask beneath the linac
Image · placeholderIllustration — beams from many angles intersecting at the tumour
SRS · What it is
Radiosurgery, in plain language.
Despite the name, there's no scalpel. SRS is a type of radiotherapy that focuses many high-energy radiation beams — delivered from different angles by a linear accelerator — so they intersect precisely at the tumour. Each individual beam path carries a modest dose; where they converge, the dose is ablative.
The beam is shaped to match the outline of the tumour with only a very small margin of normal brain included to prevent recurrence. Three-dimensional planning on CT, MRI and PET scans, plus a high degree of immobilisation, is what makes this safe: the dose passing through healthy brain tissue is minimised.
Unlike open surgery, SRS is relatively painless and non-invasive. It has become an effective alternative to surgery — or to conventional multi-week radiotherapy — for small tumours and selected conditions, including for patients who are elderly or medically unfit for an operation.
SRS · Who is it for
Cancers and situations where SRS can help.
SRS is most valuable where a small target needs a decisive, ablative dose — and surgery is unattractive or impossible.
Benign brain tumours
Meningiomas, acoustic neuromas (vestibular schwannomas) and pituitary adenomas — controlled without craniotomy.
Patients unfit for surgery
An effective alternative for elderly patients or those whose medical conditions make an operation too risky.
SRS · How it works
Plan once, treat once, precisely.
The SRS journey runs from consultation to treatment in days — each step building the accuracy the final delivery depends on.
Image · placeholderConsultation — reviewing brain imaging with the specialist
Consultation & evaluation
An in-person consultation confirms you're a suitable candidate, reviewing your imaging, history and goals.
Image · placeholderCustom thermoplastic mask fitting
Immobilisation & imaging
A custom radiosurgery facemask is made for you, and planning CT/MRI/PET scans are taken in the treatment position.
Image · placeholderRadiosurgery plan — beams converging on the target
3D planning & checks
The team contours the target and shapes the beams in three dimensions; physics independently verifies every parameter.
Image · placeholderSRS delivery at the linac
Treatment delivery
Beams are delivered from multiple angles in a session measured in minutes — silent, painless, and image-verified before beam-on.
SRS · What to expect
Minutes of treatment, home the same day.
Treatment is outpatient. You'll be positioned in your custom mask, imaging confirms sub-millimetre alignment, and the beams are delivered — the whole session is typically administered within minutes. You feel nothing during delivery.
Most patients resume their usual daily activities immediately. Some people have little or no side effects; others may experience effects usually related to temporary brain swelling (oedema) — such as nausea, headache or tiredness — which your oncologist anticipates and manages.
Side effects depend on the treatment site and are discussed with you in detail at consultation, before anything begins.
Image · placeholderPatient leaving the centre after a radiosurgery session
SRS · Cost & insurance
Is SRS covered?
Radiosurgery is claimable under Medisave and MediShield Life for approved indications, and covered by major Integrated Shield Plans. Because SRS is completed in 1–5 sessions, the total course cost is often comparable to — or below — longer conventional courses.
We provide a written cost estimate at consultation, before any treatment begins. Our care coordinator can verify your coverage with your insurer in advance.
Image · placeholderAARO specialists at the Centre for Stereotactic Radiosurgery
SRS · Your specialists
Meet Dr Daniel Tan→
Who delivers SRS at AARO.
AARO's specialists developed some of Southeast Asia's first SRS programmes and operate the Centre for Stereotactic Radiosurgery — the region's first dedicated radiosurgery facility. The consultant who plans your radiosurgery is the one who delivers and follows it.
Dr Daniel TanSRS · SBRT · Brain · Spine · Prostate
Dr Jonathan TehGU · Head & Neck · GI · Sarcoma · Paediatric
Dr David TanGynae · GI · Hepatobiliary · Lung
Told you need brain surgery — or that nothing can be done?
Book a consultation. We'll review your imaging and tell you honestly whether radiosurgery is an option for your case.