What is CyberKnife (Radio Surgical Space Knife)?
CyberKnife is an irradiation system designed to perform radiation therapy on the whole body with sub-millimetre precision. Basically, CyberKnife is an advanced linear accelerator placed on industrial robots. By using radiation beams focally, it provides maximum protection of normal tissues while treating cancerous areas in the brain and body, especially those that have problems in access, with high doses of radiation. CyberKnife system, with its Image Guide system and computer-controlled robot technology, monitors and corrects the tumor and patient movements during the treatment, thus preventing damage to the surrounding healthy tissues.
For Which Patients Is CyberKnife Used?
CyberKnife in the head; It is used in the treatment of benign and malignant brain tumors, metastases, tumors in and around the eye, arteriovenous malformations and some functional diseases. In the body, it can be recommended in the treatment of lung cancers, prostate cancers, head and neck cancers, spinal cord and spine tumors, pancreatic cancers, and liver tumors, which are few in number that cannot be treated by other methods.
How CyberKnife Works ?
The tumor coordinates obtained from the Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance images taken before the treatment of the patient are evaluated instantly with the help of computers, and the radiation dose is adjusted.
CyberKnife uses an image capture system that locates and tracks the tumor and, if necessary, changes the patient's position if the tumor becomes mobile. While treatment is limited to the tumor, damage to surrounding healthy tissues can be minimized. In this way, it is ensured that the treatment is not affected by the patient's small movements. The skull does not need to be framed. With this system, tumors in the lung and liver displaced by respiration can be treated sensitively. It is not necessary for the patient to hold their breath or breathe regularly during treatment.
