Cyberknife therapy is a type of radiation therapy used to treat cancer. It is a non-invasive, robotic radiation therapy that targets high radiation doses directly to the tumour, while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissue.
The key features of Cyberknife therapy include:
1. Precision targeting: The Cyberknife system uses advanced imaging and tracking technology to accurately locate and target the tumour, even if it moves during treatment.
2. Robotic delivery: The Cyberknife system is a robotic arm that can move around the patient to deliver radiation from multiple angles, allowing for highly targeted and customized treatment plans.
3. No surgical incision: Cyberknife is a non-invasive treatment, so there is no surgical incision required.
4. Shorter treatment duration: Cyberknife treatments are often completed in 1-5 sessions, compared to traditional radiation therapies which are done at multiple sessions over several weeks.
Cyberknife therapy is commonly used to treat various types of cancers, including brain, lung, prostate, liver, and spine tumours and is considered as a preferred treatment option for cancer patients who are not candidates for traditional surgery or radiation therapy or for those looking to minimize side effects.
Cyberknife has been used to treat a variety of malignancies, including:
1. Brain Tumors:
- Cyberknife is highly effective in treating both primary brain tumours and brain metastases.
- It can precisely target and deliver high-level doses of radiation to the tumour while reducing radiation exposure to healthy brain tissue.
2. Lung Cancer:
- Cyberknife is used to treat early-stage, inoperable non-small cell lung cancer, as well as lung metastases from other cancers.
- It can give high doses of radiation to the tumour while sparing surrounding healthy lung tissue.
3. Prostate Cancer:
- Cyberknife is an effective treatment option for localized prostate cancer, with good outcomes and fewer side effects compared to traditional radiation therapy.
4. Liver Cancer:
- Cyberknife can be used to treat primary liver cancers, such as hepatocellular carcinoma, as well as liver metastases from other cancers.
- It can precisely target the tumour while avoiding damage to surrounding healthy liver tissue.
5. Spinal Tumors:
- Cyberknife is used to treat both primary spinal tumours and spinal metastases from other cancers.
- It can effectively deliver high levels of radiation doses to the tumour while reducing the risk of spinal cord injury.
6. Pancreatic Cancer:
- Cyberknife may be used to treat inoperable or locally advanced pancreatic cancer, delivering targeted radiation to the tumour.
The versatility of Cyberknife allows it to be used in the treatment of a wide range of malignancies, making it a valuable tool in the oncologist’s arsenal. The precision and accuracy of Cyberknife treatment can lead to successful treatment outcomes and less side effects for many cancer patients.