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The CyberKnife System---FAQs

What is the CyberKnife system and what is it used for?
The CyberKnife^® System is a non- invasive sterotactic radiosurgery technique that can treat tumors throughout the body with pinpoint accuracy. Stereotactic radiosurgery is a medical procedure that utilizes highly targeted “killing” doses of radiation. This non-invasive “operation” has proven to be an effective alternative to surgery or conventional radiation for treating many small tumors, along with a few other select medical disorders.

Standard stereotactic techniques rely on a rigid metal frame affixed to the patient’s skull for head immobilization and target localization. However, such frame-based systems have numerous limitations, including:

Treatment is restricted to the brain
Angles at which radiation can be delivered are limited
Patients may experience discomfort.

In contrast to the standard frame-based radiosurgical instruments, the CyberKnife uses non-invasive, image-guided localization and a robotic delivery system. This combination of technologies enables the CyberKnife to deliver radiation with pinpoint sub-millimeter accuracy anywhere in the body including tumors in or near the head, spine, lung, prostate, pancreas and liver. Because of the extreme precision and accuracy of the CyberKnife System, no invasive head or body frame is required.

How does the CyberKnife System differ from other radiosurgery systems?
Radiosurgery has traditionally been restricted to the treatment of tumors in the brain. Patients undergoing traditional radiosurgery for brain tumors are fitted with a rigid metal frame affixed to the skull. This steadies the head during the treatment so that the high doses of radiation can be more precisely targeted to the tumor with minimal damage to other parts of the brain or structures in the head. Frames can cause considerable discomfort, may limit the angles from which radiation can be delivered, and make treatment in more than one session difficult.

The CyberKnife System is the first and only intelligent robotic radiosurgery system that uses a combination of image guidance and computer controlled robotics to continuously track, detect and correct for tumor and patient movements throughout the treatment. It delivers radiation with pinpoint sub-millimeter accuracy anywhere in the body including tumors in or near the head, spine, lung, prostate, pancreas and liver. Because of the extreme precision and accuracy of the CyberKnife System, no invasive head or body frame is required.

What are the benefits of treatment with the CyberKnife System?

More treatment options — The CyberKnife System gives new hope to patients by offering patients with previously inoperable tumors or those who refuse surgery a new treatment option approved to treat tumors anywhere in the body
Autonomous delivery — The CyberKnife System continuously tracks the tumor position, detects the location of the tumor, and corrects for tumor and patient movement throughout the treatment.
Precise — The CyberKnife System delivers high-dose radiation with sub-millimeter accuracy, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
Painless treatment—The CyberKnife System is painless and requires no anesthesia, effectively eliminating the risk of complications such as infections, hemorrhage, and the loss of hearing and/or feeling associated with traditional surgery.
No recovery time — CyberKnife treatments are performed on an outpatient basis eliminating overnight hospital stays.
Superior comfort—Patients are much more comfortable throughout the treatment, due to the system’s frameless design which eliminates the pain and inconvenience associated with the head or body frame used to immobilize patients in traditional radiosurgery.
Convenience — The advanced planning system enables pre- treatment set-up to be scheduled at the patient’s convenience, and patients can be treated in as few as one to five visits.

How does the CyberKnife System work?
The CyberKnife Robotic Radiosurgery System is a non-invasive alternative to surgery for the treatment of 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.

What diseases does the CyberKnife treat?
The CyberKnife can be used for the treatment of tumors and other conditions anywhere in the body where radiation is indicated. Current indications are brain, spine, lung, liver, pancreas and prostate.

Has the CyberKnife System been approved by the FDA?
Yes, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provided clearance for the CyberKnife System to treat tumors in the head, neck and upper spine in 1999 and for treatment of tumors anywhere in the body in 2001.

How long does treatment take?
The patient meets with their physician so that imaging required to map and plan the treatment (e.g. CT, MRI, PET scan) can be performed prior to the CyberKnife treatment. Then the patient visits the CyberKnife Center for treatment sessions that may last 30 to 90 minutes. Treatments can be carried out in a single session or up to five sessions.

Are CyberKnife treatments covered by insurance?
CyberKnife procedures are not experimental and are covered by Medicare and major insurance carriers. Over 100 commercial and private payers are reimbursing the related codes and any or all portions of the CyberKnife services. Patients should always consult with a physician in connection with any and all treatment options and obtain prior authorization from their insurance companies once a treatment option is determined. Our CyberKnife staff will assist patients with insurance authorization.

How many patients have been treated with the CyberKnife System?
To date, more than 40,000 patients worldwide have been treated by the CyberKnife System.

How was the CyberKnife technology developed?
The first prototype for CyberKnife was created at Stanford University Medical Center in 1994, under the direction of neurosurgeon John Adler, MD. It was approved to provide radiosurgical treatments for lesions anywhere in the body by the FDA in 2001. CyberKnife procedures are not experimental and are therefore covered by Medicare and major insurance carriers. In addition to being effective and non-invasive, treatments are cost-efficient, costing 20 – 45% less than conventional surgery.