Rijeka becomes first hospital in Croatia to introduce stereotactic radiosurgery

(Photo: KBC Rijeka)

KBC Rijeka has become the first public hospital in Croatia to introduce stereotactic radiotherapy, a highly advanced form of radiation treatment often referred to as “radiokirurgija” or radiosurgery.

The service officially entered routine use this week, marking a major milestone in the modernisation of Croatia’s oncology services.

The achievement comes as the final step in a major upgrade of radiotherapy equipment financed through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NPOO), with more than €12.2 million invested by the Croatian Government and the Ministry of Health, KBC Rijeka said.

The result is not only technology on par with leading European university hospitals but also the complete removal of waiting lists for radiotherapy across the region served by KBC Rijeka.

Stereotactic radiotherapy is a method that targets tumours with extremely precise, high-dose radiation beams.

While often compared to surgery, it does not involve any incision. Instead, the radiation acts like a virtual scalpel, destroying tumour tissue while sparing surrounding healthy structures.

It is particularly valuable in treating brain metastases, either newly diagnosed or recurrent, as well as certain benign brain conditions such as meningiomas and pituitary adenomas.

(Photo: KBC Rijeka)

Treatment planning requires detailed imaging using CT and MRI scans, followed by a multidisciplinary approach involving oncologists, radiotherapy specialists, radiologists, medical physicists and radiological technologists.

The technique is suitable when tumours are of limited size and the patient’s overall condition meets strict international criteria.

The introduction of stereotactic radiotherapy follows several years of continuous investment in technology and staff training. Over the past 18 months, KBC Rijeka has acquired three new linear accelerators, one of which is fully equipped for stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT).

The clinic has also previously implemented the Deep Inspiration Breath Hold (DIBH) technique for treating left-sided breast cancer.

(Photo: KBC Rijeka)

To support these advanced methods, KBC Rijeka has established a dedicated Department for Advanced Radiotherapy Techniques and Stereotaxy. The move was unanimously backed by the hospital’s professional council and management board.

With these developments, Rijeka now stands at the forefront of high-precision cancer treatment in Croatia, offering cutting-edge care with full accessibility and no waiting lists.