One of the first questions patients and potential patients ask experts at the CyberKnife Center of Miami — a state-of-the-art cancer treatment center in South Florida – is whether CyberKnife, a noninvasive form of radiation therapy, is right for them.
The simple answer: We will not know until you come in and talk to us about your diagnosis. Then our experts, including Dr. Mark Pomper, board-certified radiation oncologist and medical director of CyberKnife Miami, can help you determine the right treatment plan for your specific cancer.
But there is also a more complicated answer depending on the stage of your cancer, the location, and your overall health.
Let us start with a little bit about what CyberKnife actually is.
The CyberKnife Basics
According to Accuray, the maker of the CyberKnife System, CyberKnife treats cancerous and non-cancerous tumors and other conditions where patients may need radiation. It can be used throughout the body specifically for the brain, lungs, prostate, spine, head and neck, liver, kidney, and pancreas. It can also be used as an alternative to surgery for patients who may not be surgical candidates or who may have complex tumors that cannot be surgically removed.
In other words, CyberKnife can be used for many different cancers and conditions. It has been researched and in use for more than two decades, and it has helped thousands of cancer patients.
The reason: CyberKnife uses advanced technology with an image-guided linear accelerator to deliver precision stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) using a robotic arm.
“CyberKnife accuracy is sub-millimetric, which can help significantly reduce the risk of the side effects that too often disrupt the lives of patients during and after treatment,” Accuracy states on its website.
CyberKnife “Ideal” Patients
No two patients are the same. No two cancers are the same, and no two cases are the same. So ideal CyberKnife candidates fall into different, yet wide ranges.
- Brain cancer: CyberKnife can minimize potential long-term side effects risks because of its pinpoint accuracy. And patients who have been treated with whole-brain radiotherapy can be treated again with CyberKnife.
- Lung Cancer: Patients benefit because the CyberKnife system moves with them, keeping the radiation targeted on the tumor while they breathe normally. “The system provides a proven, non-surgical option for treating early-stage, inoperable non-small cell lung cancer, tumors in challenging anatomical locations such as central lung tumors surrounded by sensitive structures and lung tumors near the chest wall, and inoperable peripheral lung tumors,” Accuray says.
- Liver Cancer: CyberKnife may benefit patients whose tumors cannot be completely removed with surgery or those who cannot undergo surgery. Plus, it can be used as patients wait for a transplant.
- Pancreatic Cancer: CyberKnife is a good option for patients with locally advanced cancer or those who may be inoperable. It can also be used in tandem with other treatments like surgery and chemotherapy.
- Prostate Cancer: CyberKnife offers a 98% success rate for prostate cancer with fewer side effects than traditional treatments.
- Spinal Cancer: CyberKnife’s precision matters when it comes to treating tumors of the spine.
For each type of cancer, treatment is completed in fewer visits than with traditional radiation. CyberKnife also has a lower risk of damage to healthy tissue and excellent control of tumors.
CyberKnife Treatment: Miami, FL
The experts at CyberKnife Miami see the CyberKnife advantage every day. Not only do we take patients who have been turned away from other centers, but we offer another advantage – we care – really care – about our patients.
“I think the most common comment I get from patients is that you probably have no idea how good your staff is. They take a potentially frightening experience and make it a warm and friendly one,” says Dr. Pomper, when asked about one thing that sets CyberKnife Miami apart.
We opened our doors 20 years ago. We were the first CyberKnife center to open in the Southeast United States and we are here to help you.
Our doctors and staff are experts in the field. Our compassion and personalized treatment can be the difference you need when it comes to treating your cancer.
If you would like to find out more about treatment with CyberKnife call us at 305-279-2900 or go to our website now for more information www.cyberknifemiami.com.