CyberKnife is a radiosurgical robot that greatly facilitates the treatment of cancer patients. CyberKnife enables the treatment of even hard-to-reach neoplasms without surgical intervention. Check how CyberKnife works and who can use it.

CyberKnife , orCyber ​​Knife , is a modern method of radiotherapy that allows you to treat cancer and other neoplasms non-invasively. CyberKnife allows the use of ionizing radiation treatment in the case of tumors that are inaccessible or difficult to access surgically, especially if they are located near the so-called critical organs, which are especially important in life.

CyberKnife - indications for the procedure

Cyberknife is intended for the treatment of selected cancers only:

  • primary and metastatic tumors located in the nervous system (brain, spinal cord)
  • recurrences and metastases of head and neck cancers (e.g. cancers of the mouth and throat)
  • primary and metastatic tumors located in the chest (lung, mediastinum)
  • primary and metastatic tumors located in the abdominal cavity (liver, pancreas)
  • primary, recurrent and metastatic tumors of prostate and bladder cancer
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In which hospitals is CyberKnife treatment used?

There are currently four centers in Poland that have experience in oncological radiosurgery using the cybernetic knife technology.

The first CyberKnife in Poland was launched in 2010 at the Institute of Oncology in Gliwice. The second one is located at the Department of Radiotherapy of the Greater Poland Cancer Center in Poznań. This modern equipment is also available at the Institute of Cybernetic Surgery in Wieliszew near Warsaw, and from April 2015 also at the Oncology Center - Institute of Maria Skłodowskiej-Curie in Warsaw.

CyberKnife - how does it work?

The patient is lying down on the operating table. The doctor locates neoplastic changes and the physicist programs them in a computer system. Then, data on the location of the tumor is sent to CyberKnife. It moves in different directions over the patient, emitting narrow, highly concentrated beamsradiation of the order of 0.5 to 1 mm (it can inflict different doses into different areas of the tumor), with which it destroys the lesions.

Another method of fighting the most difficult cases of cancer is the NanoKnife

The CyberKnife system uses real-time imaging control, i.e. it tracks the movements of the organ (and the tumor on it) during the procedure and, if necessary, automatically corrects the beam direction in relation to this displacement. Thanks to this, the dose of radiation is delivered exactly to the affected areas, i.e. only where it is needed. On the other hand, the dose of radiation that reaches he althy tissues close to the tumor is as low as possible, so they are minimally exposed to damage.

Important

CyberKnife is reimbursed by the National He alth Fund

Since April 2015, CyberKnife radiosurgery is included in the NHF services basket. Until now, CyberKnife treatment has not been reimbursed. Hospitals received from the National He alth Fund for the use of the Cybernetic Knife as much as for traditional radiotherapy, therefore they had to pay extra for treatment. One treatment with the use of this robot costs about PLN 30,000.

CyberKnife - advantages

The Cybernetic Knife allows you to irradiate several tumors during one treatment with a large dose, which shortens the overall treatment time (compared to alternative treatment methods). Instead of even 8-9 weeks, irradiation may only be 4-5 days.

The advantages of treatment with this modern method of radiotherapy are also painless and non-invasive (no incisions etc. necessary), and no need for general anesthesia (this is the case in most cases). This reduces the risk of short- and long-term side effects from the treatment.

In addition, the procedure with a radiosurgical robot can be performed on an outpatient basis, which means that after its completion the patient does not have to stay in the hospital. Moreover, what is equally important for the patient, he or she has the opportunity to lead an active life during treatment (most patients return to their normal life and work activities).

It has also been noticed that for some types of cancer, CyberKnife treatment is more effective than surgery and other invasive cancer treatments (e.g., prostate cancer, where CyberKnife treatment has kept erectile function in most patients).

Category:

Oncology