What is the CyberKnife System?

The CyberKnife System is a non-invasive treatment for cancerous and non-cancerous tumors and other conditions where radiation therapy is indicated. It is used to treat conditions throughout the body, including the prostate, lung, brain, spine, head and neck, liver, pancreas and kidney, and can be an alternative to surgery or for patients who have inoperable or surgically complex tumors. CyberKnife treatments are typically performed in 1 to 5 sessions.

About the Cyberknife Equipment

The CyberKnife consists of a lightweight linear accelerator mounted on a robotic arm. Near real-time images allow for patient movement tracking within 1mm spatial accuracy. The CyberKnife references the position of the treatment target to internal radiographic features such as the skull, bony landmarks or implanted fiducials rather than a frame. The CyberKnife uses real-time x-rays to establish the position of the lesion during treatment and then dynamically brings the radiation beam into alignment with the observed position of the treatment target. The CyberKnife aims each beam independently. When the target moves, the process detects the change and accommodates it.

Duration of Cyberknife Session

Compared to other radiosurgical treatments, the CyberKnife offers several advantages to patients, including rapid relief from pain and other symptoms.

Treatments are performed on an outpatient basis, with each treatment lasting between 30 to 90 minutes. The number of treatments vary depending on the tumor size, location and shape, but typically only one to five daily sessions are required. The CyberKnife allows patients to lie comfortably on the procedure table without anesthesia while the robotic arm moves, without touching them, to treat all areas of the tumor.

Recovery is often immediate, given its low risk of complications and damage to healthy tissue.

Advantages Of Cyberknife

• Treatments with the CyberKnife System are non-invasive and pain free.
• Treatment with the CyberKnife System is typically completed in 1 to 5 treatment sessions.
• Treatment times with the CyberKnife System vary depending upon the size and type of tumour being treated. Most treatments typically last 30 – 60 minutes.
• The exceptional accuracy of the CyberKnife System spares healthy tissue and organs.
• In some cases, CyberKnife radiosurgery may be an alternative to traditional surgery. It does not require anaesthesia or an overnight hospital stay, and eliminates the recovery time and risks associated with surgery.
• Due to its ability to precisely target tumours, the CyberKnife System can provide a safe radiation treatment option even for some previously irradiated patients.
• Image guidance capabilities of CyberKnife enable tracking of tumours that move with respiration.