CyberKnife Radiosurgery

CyberKnife, a treatment for both cancerous and non-cancerous tumors, is a revolutionary radiosurgical device that uses a combination of robotics and sophisticated image-guidance technology. This radiosurgery system delivers precisely targeted doses of radiation to tumors – even tumors that are beyond the reach of other radiosurgery systems. Overlook Medical Center was the first center in the New York City region to offer CyberKnife surgery for the treatment of tumors and lesions in the brain, neck, spine, lung, liver, pancreas and prostate. The procedure is non-invasive, highly accurate and painless.

At Carol G. Simon Cancer Center, a multi-disciplinary team including a radiation oncologist, neuro-oncologist, neurosurgeon and/or other surgical specialists will carefully review each patient’s condition to determine whether CyberKnife treatment is an appropriate option.

The CyberKnife Robotic Radiosurgery System treats:

• Intracranial and extracranial tumors and lesions
• Spine cancer and spinal cord tumors
• Malignant tumors (primary and metastases)
  • Lung
  • Liver
  • Pancreas
  • Prostate
• Benign tumors
• Acoustic neuromas
• Schwannomas
• Meningiomas
• Pituitary adenomas
• Arteriovenous malformations
• Trigeminal neuralgia

CyberKnife Treatment Overview

CyberKnife features a compact, lightweight linear accelerator – or radiation source – mounted on a movable robotic arm. The patient lies on a table, wearing a custom-fit flexible mesh facemask or full-body immobilizer, while image guidance cameras locate the exact position of the tumor. There is no need for an uncomfortable stereotactic head or body frame during CyberKnife treatment.

Once the tumor’s location has been precisely mapped, the linear accelerator attached to the robotic arm goes to work, delivering multiple, highly-focused beams of radiation from many targeting positions and angles. These beams all intersect within the tumor or lesion, delivering a cumulative dose of radiation large enough to destroy the cancer cells.

CyberKnife surgery is so precise that very little radiation escapes to surrounding tissue. This allows a higher dose of radiation to be used, improving effectiveness and helping increase the likelihood of radiosurgical success. It also greatly decreases the number of required treatments compared to external beam therapy.

Most CyberKnife surgery is performed on an outpatient basis, lowering hospitalization costs. Treatment is usually covered by Medicare and most private insurance companies.