Getting any cancer diagnosis is distressing and it’s fair to say, even shocking. A million questions run through your mind, including will I live, can I beat cancer, and what cancer treatment will give me the best shot at curing my cancer? This fear and anxiety also hit your loved ones hard. But don’t panic. Even if you get bad news and have the Big C, the good news today is many types of cancers, can be successfully treated, managed like a chronic illness, and even cured. Patients have come to CyberKnife asking about the most dangerous places to develop a tumor, worried about their survival rate.
When diagnosed with any cancer, the most crucial thing you can do is research all your treatment options and find the best cancer doctors to treat your particular type of cancer.
Don’t just listen to what your doctor says. Be your own patient advocate and make sure you’re getting the best cancer advice.
If necessary get a 2nd opinion.
It’s even more critical for the most life-threatening types of cancer, which are brain, lung, and pancreatic cancer.
The earlier they are detected the easier they are to treat, but no time should be wasted getting effective treatment.
Unfortunately, oftentimes these types of cancer aren’t detected until they’ve progressed quite a bit and become difficult to treat or cure.
That’s where CyberKnife Radiation Therapy can be your best friend and savior.
It is used to treat some of the most difficult tumors, inoperable tumors anywhere in the body.
Our world-class physicians are specially trained in stereotactic radiosurgery and are among the most experienced and qualified worldwide making CyberKnife Miami a top leader in radiation therapy and a premier cancer center.
Established in 2003, CyberKnife Miami was the first CyberKnife center to open in the Southeastern US and the 11th in the country.
Our Medical Director, Board Certified Radiation Oncologist, Dr. Mark Pomper says, “My passion is helping people. In addition to curing cancer and alleviating pain and symptoms, I feel it is my mission to try to help patients understand that cancer is not a death sentence. We have many weapons to help battle this disease and CyberKnife is one of the most powerful, often helping us manage cancer much like a chronic illness.”
CyberKnife technology is a misnomer of sorts. Why? Because it’s not a knife at all, and there’s absolutely no cutting involved. In fact, CyberKnife is a painless radiation treatment that may be an alternative to open surgery in many cases.
The CyberKnife system uses image-guided robotics to precisely and non-invasively destroy tumors and other lesions with multiple beams of high-energy radiation.
It uses missile-guided radiation technology to target tumors with pinpoint accuracy, delivering radiation directly to the tumor, while leaving healthy surrounding tissue untouched. Because of this missile technology, CyberKnife can track the tumor even when a patient moves or breathes, all without the use of invasive head frames (as with the Gamma Knife).
The unique design of the CyberKnife system allows it to deliver targeted radiation therapy to tumors throughout the body in one to five treatments.
It’s a non-invasive cancer treatment, eliminating the risk of complications and lengthy recovery time associated with traditional open surgery. CyberKnife treatment is painless, with no cutting or anesthesia involved.
Dangerous Place to Develop a Tumor #1: The Brain
A tumor in the brain can be a dangerous scenario if not cared for quickly and effectively. Most tumors are typically treated based on size, type, and grade. It’s also dependent on the patient’s overall health, where the tumor is located and, in the case of brain tumors, if the tumor is putting pressure on vital parts of the brain. Common treatment types might be surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and/or a combination of some or all of these therapies and more including immunotherapy.
The CyberKnife System is designed for complex, sensitive cases like brain tumors. The system is a robotic device that accurately delivers high-dose radiation directly to the tumor, not the healthy tissue.
And if the tumor comes back or another one pops up, it can be treated again.
Dangerous Place to Develop a Tumor #2: Lungs
It is important for tumors in the lungs to be treated before they spread. There are two main types of lung cancers: Small Cell Lung Cancer and Non-small Cell Lung Cancer. Non-small Cell Lung Cancer is the most common.
When seeking treatment for lung tumors, it’s important for patients to know the side effects of their treatment options.
The CyberKnife System is a non-surgical procedure that has minimal to no side effects. Unlike surgery, which requires anesthesia, proper sterilization, and a lengthy recovery period, CyberKnife patients are able to receive treatment directly to the tumor without being cut open.
After about a 45-minute treatment session, the patient can return to normal activities. Some patients experience minor side effects such as fatigue, nausea, and minor skin irritations at the site of radiation delivery.
Dangerous Place to Develop a Tumor #3: Pancreas
There are 2 major classes of cancer that can develop in the Pancreas: Exocrine Pancreatic Cancer and Neuroendocrine Pancreatic Cancer. Adenocarcinoma, also known as Ductal Carcinoma is the most common type of pancreatic cancer. Treatment may involve a mix of treatments like surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and vaccines. The pancreatic cancer vaccine is a form of immunotherapy. The vaccine uses pancreatic cancer cells that have been treated with radiation to inhibit their ability to grow.
The Benefits of CyberKnife in Cancer Treatment
One of the most effective and life-saving treatments for all these types of tumors is the CyberKnife Radiation Therapy System.
It is able to target tumors with hyper-accuracy down to the millimeter.
Only about 20% of pancreatic cancer patients are eligible for pancreatic cancer surgery. Whereas CyberKnife can provide treatment to pancreatic cancer patients of various ages and conditions. The same holds true for lung and brain tumors.
As an outpatient procedure, CyberKnife radiosurgery also allows for a better quality of life during and after treatment, which enables you to immediately resume your normal activities. Our goal is to get cancer behind you as quickly and easily as possible and give you back the life you know and love!
Call and talk to our cancer experts at the CyberKnife Center of Miami to see if you are a candidate for this noninvasive cancer treatment 305-279-2900 and go to our website now to learn more or set up an appointment. www.cyberknifemiami.com