Why CyberKnife is better
CyberKnife can target tumors that are unreachable or inoperable with precision and accuracy while keeping surrounding tissues healthy. This sophisticated system is a great advancement, offering, the following advantages:
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Minimal pain: CyberKnife is a nonsurgical approach, so there is no anesthesia, incision, or recovery time.
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Only a few treatments: Tumors are treated in just a few treatments compared to other forms of radiation therapy.
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No overnight hospitalization: As an outpatient treatment, CyberKnife usually allows you to return home the same day.
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Fast and accurate: Approaching its target from more than 1,400 angles, CyberKnife can deliver high doses of radiation precisely while avoiding surrounding, healthy tissue.
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Quick recovery times: Get back to your normal life almost immediately, unlike the expected recovery period for surgical or other types of treatment.
CyberKnife treats cancerous and benign tumors of the:
- Brain, spine, and skull base
- Head and neck
- Prostate Lung
- Gastrointestinal tract, including pancreas and liver
- Breast
- Gynecologic tumors
- Other soft-tissue organs
CyberKnife treatment at MedStar Georgetown University
MedStar Georgetown University Hospital—the first hospital on the East Coast to offer the technology —is among the world’s most experienced CyberKnife sites. Our CyberKnife experts have administered more than 30,000 treatments with tumors of the head and neck, brain and spine, breast, lungs, gynecologic tumors, pancreas and liver, and prostate.
MedStar Georgetown in Washington D.C. is also one of the few centers in the country that study CyberKnife for new and improved uses. That means access to clinical trials that could help your condition and that aren’t available elsewhere.
The nonsurgical CyberKnife® Robotic Radiosurgery System destroys tumors using highly precise, targeted radiation, with minimal damage to surrounding healthy tissue. Unlike conventional radiation therapy that can take multiple sessions, CyberKnife, also known as stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), is complete after only a few treatments.
They did wonders for me
Two years ago, 77-year-old Shirley Smallwood was given distressing news. The biopsy of a small nodule in her lung indicated cancer—and her local hospital’s oncologist told her to go to MedStar Georgetown. “I didn’t know what tomorrow would bring,” she remembers.
For Shirley, tomorrow brought very good news. The size and location of her tumor made her a perfect candidate for CyberKnife therapy—sophisticated technology that emits high energy beams of radiation directly at the tumor while minimizing damage to surrounding lung tissue.
“Ms. Smallwood’s cancer was small,” explains Brian Collins, MD, radiation oncologist. “But because of other health issues, surgery was risky. She was thrilled that she had another good option.”
Right after Christmas 2014, Shirley underwent five CyberKnife radiation treatments during one week. “I had no pain and no side effects from the treatment,” Shirley says. “And after that was complete, I didn’t need any other treatment.”
In November, Shirley had her two-year check-up and her scans show no sign of cancer. “They told me they didn’t want to see me for a year! I would recommend CyberKnife and Dr. Collins to anyone. They did wonders for me!”
How it works
CyberKnife uses a combination of robotics, image guidance systems and computers to deliver highly concentrated doses of radiation to the tumor site while protecting surrounding healthy tissue. CyberKnife is the only stereotactic robotic radiosurgery system that adjusts for patient or tumor movement during treatment (intrafraction motion) making it comfortable for patients.
- CyberKnife treatment begins with a consultation to explain the procedure in detail. To treat tumors in the chest, abdomen, pelvis or other soft tissue that moves with respiration, it may be necessary to implant tiny gold markers, or “fiducials,” that act as targets for the system’s missile-like rays. Fiducials are not required to treat tumors of the head, neck and spine.
- Afterward, a team of experienced physicians uses MRIs, CT scans and three-dimensional technology to pinpoint the exact size and location of the tumor to create a treatment plan. (Prior to this step, a light plastic mask—used for brain, head or neck tumors—or a comfortable foam body-immobilizing system—for tumors in the abdomen and pelvis—must be made to help minimize patient movement during treatment. This is a simple and painless process.)
- A week or two later, CyberKnife treatments begin. Just a few 60-minute sessions are needed—complete within one to two weeks.
- CyberKnife locks onto its target regardless of movement, so you can relax and breathe normally during treatment, you can relax and breathe normally.
- Patients are usually able to resume normal activity almost immediately. Follow up will include imaging to monitor the tumor's treatment response. Your physician will discuss these images with you.
Proven outcomes
Recent research has proven that higher doses of radiation decrease the chance of cancer recurring. CyberKnife’s laser-like accuracy can deliver those highly concentrated doses while avoiding nearby healthy tissue.
Other studies—including national, multi-institutional protocols, many conducted at MedStar Georgetown—indicate that CyberKnife is as effective as other radiation therapies for treating low-and intermediate-risk prostate cancer patients. As an added benefit, CyberKnife treatment is completed within only a few visits.
Peter H. Ahn, MD
Radiation Oncology
Sean P. Collins, MD, PhD
Radiation Oncology
Sonali Rudra, MD
Radiation Oncology
Andrew Satinsky, MD
Radiation Oncology
Keith Unger, MD
Radiation Oncology
Nitika Paudel, MD
Radiation Oncology