Cyberknife therapy is a type of robotic radiation therapy that can treat cancer without being invasive. It delivers a high radiation dose directly to the tumour, minimizing the exposure of healthy tissues to radiation.
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 typically require only 1-5 sessions, whereas traditional radiation therapy may take multiple sessions over several weeks.
Cyberknife therapy is a widely used treatment for different types of cancer like brain, lung, prostate, liver, and spinal tumours. It can be a viable option for patients who are not suitable for traditional surgery or radiation therapy. Additionally, it can help to reduce the side effects of treatment.
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 doses of radiation to the brain tumour while reducing 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 deliver 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 doses of radiation to the tumour while minimizing 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.
Cyberknife’s versatility allows it to treat 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 improved outcomes and reduced side effects for many cancer patients.