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The CyberKnife Robotic Radio-surgery System has turned countless, previously hopeless diagnoses, into successfully treatable cases. And for some patients with operable tumors, it has proven to be an effective alternative to painful surgery and recovery.
Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) >
Stereotactic Radiosurgery and Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT) are two forms of external beam radiation therapy that are particularly effective against small, well-defined tumors in inoperable or surgically risky locations such as the brain or on the spine. SRS and SBRT are non-surgical treatments that combine 3-D imaging and targeting with multiple, highly focused x-ray beams that converge on the tumor from different angles and cause it to shrink over time. SRS is used against tumors in the brain and spine, while SBRT is used to treat cancer in other parts of the body.
High-dosage radiation beam therapy delivered robotically with microscopic precision.
Despite its name, the CyberKnife is not a knife at all but a robotically guided, laser-like
radiation delivery system.
Used under image guidance, the CyberKnife continually adjusts as you or your tumor shifts position, targeting only the tumor and leaving surrounding healthy tissue untouched.
This minimizes the risk of side effects while allowing your Radiation Oncologist to prescribe a higher dosage of radiation. This eliminates the need for rigid head frames, providing a more comfortable treatment experience. The CyberKnife can also be used to treat a broad range of well-defined, small tumors throughout the rest of the body.
Treatment is pain free. Because it is non-invasive, there is no incision, no anesthesia, no discomfort and no recovery time. You can get back to your normal routine the moment you walk out the door.
What to expect before, during and after CyberKnife treatment. Prior to treatment, your radiation therapy treatment team will take a high-resolution scan of your tumor to determine its shape and location. The data from this scan will then be digitally transferred to the CyberKnife work-station. Your team will develop a treatment plan, including the number of treatments you will need, and the shaping and dosage levels for the radiation beam.
Once the treatment plan is complete, you can begin your therapy. You will be scheduled for an appointment or series of appointments that typically last from 30 to 90 minutes each.
Treatment sessions usually take no more than five days total.
When you come in for a treatment session, the technologist will position you comfortably on the treatment table. The robotic arm of the CyberKnife will then slowly move around you, programmed to stop at various locations where it will deliver a very precise beam of radiation to the tumor.
After the treatment is over, you are free to resume normal activity. Because there is no need for sedation, you can drive yourself to and from your appointment.
If you are interested in learning more about the CyberKnife and whether it is appropriate for you, ask your Radiation Oncologist.
Radiation Oncologist
239-436-5520 | www.21co.com
Your local CyberKnife Team of Experts:
Chaundre K. Cross, MD
Michael C. Hanus, MD
Timothy L. Kerwin, MD
Sonal Sura, MD, MBA