FAQs

The CyberKnife system is a distinctive radiosurgery device mounted on a robotic arm. It uses a miniature linear accelerator (linac) to produce high doses of radiation. Through the use of imaging cameras and the Synchrony® Respiratory Tracking System, the CyberKnife locates and tracks the position of the tumor during normal breathing cycles.

The CyberKnife system uses missile guidance technology to deliver multiple beams of radiation while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissue with sub-millimeter accuracy.

The CyberKnife uses the combination of a robotic arm and image guidance technology for sub-millimeter accuracy. Because of the flexibility of the robotic arm, the system is able to reach areas of the body that are unreachable by other radiosurgery systems.

Unlike other stereotactic radiosurgery treatments, the CyberKnife is able to locate the position of the tumor within the body without the use of an invasive stereotactic head frame as is used in Gamma Knife and linac-based systems.

The CyberKnife system compensates and corrects for patient movement during treatment, constantly ensuring accurate targeting. The Synchrony® Respiratory Tracking System allows the CyberKnife to track organ motion during normal breathing cycles.

All CyberKnife cases are unique. Factors like the patient’s medical condition, ambulatory status, pre-existing conditions, and previous treatments are considered during the planning phase and help the doctors formulate an individualized treatment plan. For example, some patients receive a single session of CyberKnife while others are staged over time.

Patients at the CyberKnife Center of Miami receive one-on-one education both pre- and post-treatment so that they know what to expect during the process.

CyberKnife treats benign and malignant tumors anywhere in the body, including:

• Brain
• Spine
• Lung
• Liver
• Pancreas
• Prostate
• Head & Neck

There are many benefits to a CyberKnife procedure. It is non-invasive, does not require a head frame or painful immobilization device, and it is able to treat areas of the body previously thought to be untreatable.

It is ideally suited for those who are unable to undergo traditional surgery or who do not wish to risk surgery.

CyberKnife treatments are not experimental and are covered by most insurance carriers. A CyberKnife procedure at the CyberKnife Center of Miami is cost effective, as it is performed on an outpatient basis and does not require hospitalization, anesthesia, or rehabilitation.

Because CyberKnife technology is so specialized, some insurance companies may not be familiar with our services. We ask all of our patients to share their insurance information with us prior to their treatment so we can assist with obtaining pre-authorization and meet coverage requirements.

Our financial counselor is available to assist patients with any questions they may have concerning their coverage and out-of-pocket requirements.

Your physician or specialist can determine medical necessity after evaluating your condition. The CyberKnife is a unique modality, and only a CyberKnife-trained physician can best determine if it is an appropriate treatment for a particular condition. An experienced CyberKnife physician can offer the best advice and discuss other treatment options with you and your family.

It is not uncommon for cases to be discussed with various physicians, including the patient’s primary doctor, before determining candidacy for CyberKnife treatment.

Because the CyberKnife is less risky than traditional surgery, it may be a suitable option for the elderly or for pediatric cases.

Age is not a crucial factor in excluding patients from CyberKnife treatments. In the case of small children, they must be able to hold still and follow directions to ensure the safety and comfort of the child during treatment.

The physicians who use the CyberKnife are trained clinicians in private practice in our community and/or affiliated with a medical center in South Florida. Depending on the condition being considered for treatment, we can assist with an appropriate referral to a specialist who can perform an evaluation.

Complications with the CyberKnife are less prevalent than those found with other radiosurgery modalities or radiation treatments.

After treatment, patients may occasionally experience headaches, nausea, bowel or urinary symptoms, or fatigue depending on the treatment area.

These symptoms are temporary and will resolve in a few days.

The CyberKnife is solely manufactured by Accuray® and is patented for its unique image-guided system and robotic-arm delivery.

CyberKnife centers have their own medical director(s) and can be found in different medical environments, such as universities, for-profit and non-profit medical centers, and private medical practices around the United States.

Some CyberKnife programs only treat specific conditions, while others are open to treating both whole-body and intracranial conditions. CyberKnife Center of Miami has been established since 2003 has successfully treated over 3,000 patients. We were the first CyberKnife center in the southeastern United States and 11th in the world.

There are numerous patient organizations that can offer support and education to patients seeking more information on radiosurgery treatment.

Specific to the CyberKnife is the CyberKnife Patient Forum, an online group dedicated to helping others by sharing the personal experiences of patients who have undergone a CyberKnife procedure.