How Cyberknife Works
Prior to treatment, the patient is imaged using a high resolution CT scan to determine the size, shape and location of the tumor. The CT scan is digitally transferred to the Cyberknife system’s treatment planning workstation, where the treating physician identifies the tumor to be targeted and the surrounding vital structures to be avoided.
The Cyberknife software generates a treatment plan to provide the desired radiation dose to the identified tumor location. The patient is scheduled for 1-5 treatments decided by the treating physician. During the Cyberknife treatment, the patient lies comfortably on the treatment table, which automatically positions the patient. Treatment lasts anywhere between 30 and 90 minutes after which time the patient goes home and is able to usually resume normal activities immediately. This is an outpatient, pain free and totally non-invasive treatment without the need for any anesthesia, IVs, needles or other invasive procedures.