System Treats Tumors With Sub-Millimeter Accuracy
February 16th, 2009 Posted in radiation therapyCyberknife is a $4 million investment that was introduced at ETMC in November 2006. It is a collaborative effort between ETMC and Tyler Neurosurgical Associates, PA. Physicians there have ordered more than 300 Cyberknife procedures at since 2006. Cyberknife is noninvasive so there is no incision, pain or recovery period.
The unit combines two advanced technologies — a lightweight radiation delivery system mounted on a multi-jointed robotic arm and an image guidance system similar to those used for guiding cruise missiles. During the outpatient procedure, it tracks the tumor position in real time, which may take up to two hours.
Patient lay flat on a table while invisible beams of radiation is emitted from a rotating robotic arm, targeting tumors in his body from hundreds of different angles. The frameless unit is used to treat many conditions including brain metastases, lung cancer, prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, brain and spinal tumors and pituitary adenoma. It provides treatment for some tumors that may have been considered inoperable or untreatable.