What Patients Can Expect with CyberKnife® Treatment

Our highly skilled clinicians work together to deliver treatments using the CyberKnife® system. The treatment team may include a surgeon or neurosurgeon, radiation oncologist, medical physicist, radiation therapists and registered nurse.

Once the patient has consulted with the physicians and the decision is made to treat the patient using CyberKnife radiosurgery, the patient is given an appointment to return to the CyberKnife Center to begin preparation for treatment. This preparation process is called "simulation."

The Simulation Process

Every effort is made to ensure the patient remains comfortable and relaxed. As part of the simulation, the patient is imaged using a high-resolution CT scan and frequently a MRI scan or other imaging tool to determine the exact size, shape, and location of the tumor. If any devices are needed to help the patient remain comfortable and still during the imaging tests and treatment, they will be made at this time. For patients needing treatment to the head and neck, facial molds are used. These molds eliminate the necessity for invasive head frames that are screwed into the skull. Those patients being treated for a tumor in a location other than in the head or spine may require small metallic markers, called fiducials, to be implanted prior to the simulation. The fiducials are used by the CyberKnife's highly sophisticated tracking system software to ensure the precise treatment delivery.
 
When the CT and other imaging tests are completed the data are digitally transferred to the CyberKnife System's computer planning station where the physicians and the physicist begin the treatment planning process. At this point the patient can leave and resume normal activities. The patient will be contacted by a member of the staff as soon as a date and time for treatment are arranged.
 

Treatment

Patients recline comfortably on the padded CyberKnife table. To help the patients relax during the treatment, the lights are dimmed, the ceiling is decorated with images of the nighttime sky, and the patient may listen to whatever music he or she wishes to bring.
 
The CyberKnife's unique, real-time image guidance software can continuously track and adjust the treatment for the slightest motion of both the patient and tumor. This geometric accuracy and maneuverability available only with the CyberKnife robot allows the patient to rest comfortably and breathe normally throughout the entire treatment.

When the procedure is completed, patients may leave and most feel no after-effects of the treatment. All patients require between one and five treatments, and the treatment time will vary depending on the location of the tumor.

Watch this video to learn more about CyberKnife®