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| CyberKnife | |||
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The USA Mitchell Cancer Institute provides robotic radiosurgery through its CyberKnife System. To find out more about our Cyberknife System, please contact Dennise Bunch, our CyberKnife Coordinator, at 251-445-9614.
What is the CyberKnife® System? The CyberKnife® Robotic Radiosurgery System is a viable, non-invasive alternative to surgery for the treatment of malignant and non-malignant tumors anywhere in the body. The treatment – which delivers high doses of radiation to tumors with extreme accuracy – offers new hope to patients who have inoperable or surgically complex tumors, or who may be looking for an alternative to surgery. The CyberKnife System uses image-guidance and computer controlled robotics to deliver multiple beams of high-energy radiation to the tumor from virtually any direction. Designed to treat tumors anywhere in the body with sub-millimeter accuracy, the CyberKnife System tracks the tumor’s position, detects any tumor or patient movement and automatically corrects the treatment delivery. This outpatient procedure does not require anesthesia or invasive stabilizing frames. Most patients experience minimal recovery time and can return to normal activities almost immediately. CyberKnife patient benefits: Pain-free Non-invasive No anesthesia required Outpatient procedure No recovery time Immediate return to normal activity No invasive head or body frame No breath holding during treatment  Dennise Bunch, CyberKnife Coordinator |
Links to information about Cyberknife: Patient Information Accuray™ animations/videos show how CyberKnife works Synchrony-shows how CyberKnife compensates for patient movement CyberKnife -”A Warning to my Cancer” CyberKnife Patient Support Group CyberKnife Society What makes CyberKnife different than other conventional radiation treatment? We gather information first. Prior to treatment with the CyberKnife® System, the patient undergoes imaging procedures to determine the size, shape and location of the tumor. The process begins with a standard high-resolution CT scan, or for certain tumors other imaging techniques, such as MRI, angiography or PET, may also be used. Next, treatment is planned. Following the scanning, the image data is then digitally transferred to the CyberKnife System’s treatment planning workstation, where the treating physician identifies the exact size, shape and location of the tumor. A qualified clinician then uses the CyberKnife software to generate a treatment plan to provide the desired radiation dose to the identified tumor location while avoiding damage to the surrounding healthy tissue. The patient does not need to be present during this step in the process. Treatment allows you to return to your normal activities. During a CyberKnife procedure, a patient lies comfortably on the treatment table, which automatically positions the patient. Anesthesia is not required, as the procedure is painless and non-invasive. The treatment generally lasts between 30 and 90 minutes and is typically completed in one to five visits. During treatment, a patient can be allowed to take short “breaks”. After a break, the patient simply returns to the treatment room and treatment proceeds without extensive re-positioning. |
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University of South Alabama - Mobile Alabama 36688-0002 Appointments: Medical, Surgical and Gynecologic Oncology: (251) 665-8000 Radiation Oncology: (251) 445-9615 Administration: (251) 460-6993 For questions or comments Contact Us Date last changed: July 5, 2011 5:52 PM http://www.southalabama.edu/mci/cyberknife.html |
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