CyberKnife radiosurgery is a highly effective tool in the treatment of primary and metastatic kidney cancer, also known as Renal Cell carcinoma.
Thanks to breakthrough advances in technology, the CyberKnife uses radiation to ablate kidney tumors and stop them from growing.
The extremely high doses of radiation target only the tumor while sparing healthy normal tissues.
Who Is a Candidate for CyberKnife?
Many people who have been told that they are not a candidate for surgery maybe be a candidate for CyberKnife Stereotactic Radiotherapy treatment.
We can also treat post-operative patients and metastatic disease.
What To Expect from CyberKnife Kidney Cancer Treatment?
Most patients can be treated in 1-5 treatments over a period of a few days. The treatment itself is comfortable, and patients can expect little to no side effects after undergoing CyberKnife.
What Types of Kidney Tumors Can CyberKnife Treat?
Clear Cell Carcinoma (70% of kidney cancers), Papillary Renal Cell Carcinoma (10% of kidney cancers), Chromophobe Renal Cell Carcinoma (5% of kidney cancers), and several severe rare types including Duct Renal Cell (very aggressive), Multilocular Cystic Renal Cell (good prognosis), Medullary Carcinoma, renal Mucinous Tubular and Spindle Cell Carcinoma (less than 1% of kidney cancers).
There are also unclassified Renal Cell Carcinomas that do not fit any category because they have more than one type and are 3-5% of all kidney cancers and are very aggressive, these require prompt treatment.
Unfortunately, renal cell carcinoma is highly resistant to traditional radiation therapy so normal treatment options are not effective at eradicating the cancer. Rather, they simply slow it down.
CyberKnife radiosurgery is truly the ideal non-surgical option for people with renal cell carcinoma, because it is a treatment that can completely ablate the lesion utilizing its missile-guidance technology and precision.
It delivers pinpoint radiation directly to the tumor with extreme accuracy and with minimal exposure to surrounding healthy tissue.
Because it can deliver higher doses of radiation per treatment, patients need fewer treatments and the control rate is high. It kills the tumor cells and over time the tumor dies.
The Radiation Oncologist will determine the size of the area being targeted by radiation and the dosage, as well as identifying critical structures and vital organs where radiation must be minimized. They will work closely with the medical physicist to devise a customized treatment plan for your case.
The doctor may choose to deliver the treatment in one or up to five treatments.
The CyberKnife is completely pain free. Patients dress comfortably in their own clothes and can bring music to listen to during the treatment.
Nothing will be required of the patient during the treatment, except to relax. In fact, patients often sleep through the treatment.
There are generally only minimal side effects, if any, from CyberKnife treatments.
After completing the CyberKnife treatment, patients will schedule follow-up appointments.
Keep in mind that the tumor will not suddenly disappear. In fact, it could take several weeks or longer for the tumor to shrink or become in active.
Response to treatment varies from patient to patient. Clinical experience has shown us that most patients respond very well to CyberKnife treatments.
If you have kidney cancer, it’s critical to understand your treatment options. To find out if you are a candidate for life-saving CyberKnife radiosurgery, call CyberKnife Center of Miami at (800) 204-0455.