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In most cases, cancer can be a very prolonged and very painful experience. The patient as well as his or her near and dear ones goes
through immense mental stress. Nevertheless, good times have somewhat arrived. The Apollo Speciality Cancer Hospital has now introduced the
CyberKnife treatment, the latest treatment in the field of cancer cure. With the advent of the procedure, cancer treatment is a secure, highly
successful and accurate procedure. This has made CyberKnife a high successful non-invasive replacement to conventional surgery.
In the CyberKnife® treatment therapy, a team consisting of several expert doctors, radio therapist and specialists
take part. The patient
goes through a widespread process for preparation before the irradiation process starts taking place.
Step 1: Patient consultation
The patient goes to the doctor for consultation to have an idea about the objectives of CyberKnife® System.
Step 2: Patient preparation
CyberKnife® treatment of cancer is completely frameless.
Fiducial Placement – A small outpatient procedure is required by patients to cure prostrate or tumors in other body parts by using the
CyberKnife® treatment. Some tiny metal markers called fiducials are planted near the tumor or the affected area. Through this process, the
CyberKnife® System can easily locate the tumor’s position when the treatment process takes place. This step is not needed for head
lesions.
Making a mask: This process is mostly applicable for head and neck treatment procedures. A soft mask or body mold is made to lessen movement
as the treatment process advances and the patient feels minimal discomfort.
Step 3: Image acquisition
A CT scan is done before the treatment procedure. It is done to know the appropriate location, size and shape of the tumor and also the
surrounding areas. PET CT/angiography, MRI and so on are also done.
Step 4: Planning
The image of the scan is then digitally transferred to the workstation of the CyberKnife® System. After proper consultation and planning, a
single delivery plan of doses is decided to optimize the effect of the treatment and minimize the side effects.
Step 5: Treatment
In the CyberKnife® treatment, the cyber controlled robot slowly moves around the patient and reaches various locations where the radiation
therapy is discharged to the tumor. A single treatment session takes around 30 to 90 minutes.
In almost all cases, the patient is able to continue the daily lifestyle after the CyberKnife® treatment is over.
Follow-up
Patients are required to go through a follow-up monitoring program. The follow provides the patient with appropriate understandings about the
results of the treatment. It is also done to track the progress of the treatment.
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