What is Cyberknife?
The Cyberknife represents an entirely new approach to radiosurgery. Incorporating a compact, lightweight linear accelerator mounted on a robotic arm, the Cyberknife provides the surgeon unparalleled flexibility in targeting. Advanced image guidance technology tracks patient and target position during treatment, ensuring accuracy without the use of an invasive head frame. The Cyberknife with DTS (Dynamic Tracking Software) is cleared to provide radiosurgery for lesions anywhere in the body when radiation treatment is indicated. The Cyberknife has often been used to radiosurgically treat otherwise untreatable tumors and malformations. Moreover, this instrument treats tumors at body sites, most of which are unreachable by other stereotactic systems.
Who can be treated with the Cyberknife?
CYBERKNIFE is for people who have tumors in the brain, spine and other locations throughout the body.
What are the benefits of Cyberknife?
CYBERKNIFE is "surgery without the scalpel". For patients at risk from traditional surgery, radiosurgery with the Cyberknife can reduce the risk of complications such as hair loss, severe nausea and radiation burns. There is no blood loss.
CYBERKNIFE can reach some tumors that are considered inoperable due to their proximity to sensitive organs such as the spinal cord.
CYBERKNIFE attacks the site of the disease without harming the surrounding healthy tissue and organs.
CYBERKNIFE is an outpatient procedure. There is no recovery time or dietary restrictions, and the patient is allowed to go directly home.
What are the risks of Cyberknife?
Your doctor will discuss with you the risks of radiosurgery. The chief compliant of the patients with the procedure is boredom. You will be asked to lie still between 90-180 minutes with nothing to do. Overall the risks are low.
How is Cyberknife Funded?
Most insurance companies will cover the cost of CYBERKNIFE treatments.
The Hospital will check your insurance and get pre-authorization before the procedure.
What is the procedure for Cyberknife?
Step 1:
All Cyberknife treatments involve both a surgeon and a radiation oncologist. These physicians will help you determine if Cyberknife is in your best medical interest. If you are receiving treatments to the brain, YOU WILL PROCEED DIRECTLY TO STEP 2.
Step 2:
If your treatment location is outside the brain, tumor markers called "fiducials" need to be placed near the site of the tumor. Your surgeon's office will work with you to schedule your fiducial placement.
Step 3:
In all cases, a Cyberknife-specific CAT scan will be obtained. These images will be transferred to the Cyberknife treatment-planning computer so that your surgeon can identify the area to be treated.
Step 4:
A road map (treatment plan) of the CYBERKNIFE will be made and discussed with the patient and family. Each plan is different, and you will be given time to have your questions answered. Usually, your treatment will consist of one to five visits. Each session will require a separate visit.
Step 5:
You will receive your treatment in the Radiation Oncology Department.
Step 6:
On the day of your treatment, please leave any jewelry at home.
Step 7:
Your treatment usually lasts from 90 to 180 minutes. This will depend on your treatment needs.
Step 8:
You will lie on a table for the entire course of treatment. Small movements are allowed. Although you are alone in the treatment room, you will be observed. You will be able to communicate with the staff.
How Do I Access Cyberknife?
Talk to your Doctor!
Call 410-601-9355 for more information.
Visit your CYBERKNIFE web site at
www.lifebridgehealth.org/cyberknife