All you need to know about CyberKnife treatment

The CyberKnife system is a device for radiation therapy, manufactured by Accuray Incorporated. Such a system is used to treat malignant tumours, benign tumours and other health conditions. India is becoming a hub for this treatment though medical tourism. The reason is that CyberKnife treatment cost in India is around US $8000 to $11,000, a fraction of what it costs in developed countries.

The CyberKnife Radio-surgery system is a non-invasive substitute for surgery for treating cancerous and non-cancerous tumours anywhere in the body, such as Kidney, Pancreas, Breast, Lung, Liver, Spine and Brain. This treatment delivers beams of high-dose radiation to tumours with high accuracy and offers fresh hope to cancer patients globally.

Though the name CyberKnife conjures images of surgery and scalpels, the technology does not involve any cutting. As a matter of fact, the system is the first and sole robotic radio-surgery system of the world, created for treating tumours in all parts of the body, in a non-invasive mode. It offers a non-surgical pain free option for patients who have complicated or inoperable tumours and those who don’t want surgery as a treatment option.

The best feature is a robotic arm used to focus radiation on any part of the body. A LINAC (Lightweight Linear Accelerator) is part of the robotic arm which helps in imaging from various angles. The Image guiding system garners stereoscopic images during treatment, tracks motion of tumour and guides the robotic manipulator to accurately and precisely guide the treatment beam to the tumour which maybe in motion. This system is fashioned for Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) as well as SBRT (stereotactic body radiation therapy).

What Makes It Unique?

CyberKnife is an amazing technology because of following reasons:

Unmatched accuracy

The system can treat moving tumours with utmost accuracy, which is matchless compared to other radio-surgery systems. This is particularly vital for treating tumours which move along with any body function such as breathing.

Limitless freedom and flexibility

The robotic manoeuvrability of the system permits surgeons to deliver highly personalized treatments. Using a linear accelerator fixed on a floating robotic arm, CyberKnife clinicians are able to opt for various angles targeting the tumour with a high dose of radiation from every possible angle.

Guidance for real time imaging

The CyberKnife system uses a highly sophisticated 6D image guidance system for tracking and continually adjusting treatment for any motion of the patient or the tumour.

Convenience

Based on kind of tumour, the patient requires only one to five treatments of CyberKnife, usually lasting less than an hour each, while other radiation systems need dozens of treatment modules spread over many weeks.

Safety of patient

As opposed to other linear accelerators which are Gantry based, the CyberKnife operates on a totally integrated close loop system. Each function operates in tandem to provide the safest experience for the patient.

Types of Treatment

The CyberKnife is invaluable for patients fighting deadly and benign tumours like:

Non-cancerous tumours

For these, CyberKnife is a great alternative to surgery. Similar to Gamma Knife, this system operates by delivering high ablative dosages in a few or one session with unmatched precision. The main benefit is that it is non-invasive and does not involve loss of blood or anaesthesia. The system is also useful for post-op recurrent or residual cases. It can supplement traditional radiation.

Prostate cancer

The challenge with this tumour is that it is in unpredictable motion while air passes through the rectum and the bladder fills and empties. CyberKnife helps to track exact location of prostate tumour in real time and guide delivery of radiation to exact spot. The procedure is accurate and comfortable for patients.

Brain surgery

CyberKnife can identify exact location of brain tumour in real time, making use of X-rays. The system has strong record of well-established effectiveness for treating benign and malignant tumours. Added benefit is the lack of need for skull pins or head frame to keep the head stationary.

Pancreatic cancer

CyberKnife is used when surgery is not desired or when surgery has failed. Using this, surgeons can focus to the exact spot of tumour and irradiate it with high precision even when the patient exhales and inhales.

Spine cancer

Tumours in the spine are tough to treat as they move with the breathing of the patient. CyberKnife offers highly precise targeting of the tumour by treating it with hundreds of beams of radiation from many angles. Using CyberKnife for spine cancer, oncologists prevent damage of sensitive tissues of the spinal cord.

These are all some vital facts about CyberKnife technology. It is good to do online research on CyberKnife treatment cost in India for accessing best and affordable treatment.