CyberKnife is actually a robotic radiation therapy that sounds like its surgery, but it’s not! It is a non-invasive procedure that is offering new hope for many patients with low risk, localized prostate cancer.
CyberKnife is 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 (prostatectomy) and conventional radiation. CyberKnife is also used to treat prostate lesions that may be considered inoperable or untreatable or recurred after a prior treatment.
The CyberKnife system is not a knife, it is advanced technology that uses image-guided robotics to precisely and non-invasively destroy prostate tumors and other lesions with multiple beams of high-energy radiation. It targets 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 during treatment.
Prostate cancer treatment with CyberKnife is performed on an outpatient basis and does not require hospitalization, anesthesia or a catheter. Each treatment typically lasts only 30 to 60 minutes.
Thanks to its remarkable clinical accuracy, the CyberKnife treats prostate cancer in 5 treatments over 10 days, unlike the low doses of conventional radiation therapy that require 40-45 treatments over the course of 2-3 months.
CyberKnife Radiosurgery for prostate cancer is scientifically evidence based
The most recent ten-year study by Dr. Alan Katz shows that study participants completed their entire treatment in just five daily sessions, compared to conventional radiation therapy which typically takes 30 to 45 sessions.
Additional 10-year outcomes showed:
The disease-free survival (DFS) rate was 93.7 percent, indicating there were no signs or symptoms of the cancer during the evaluation period. The median prostate specific antigen (PSA) value was 0.1 ng/ml. A low PSA value is associated with a reduced risk of cancer recurrence or metastases.
Patient-reported bowel and urinary function scores showed initial declines which recovered to baseline where they remained throughout the remainder of the study period.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with prostate cancer CyberKnife may be a great treatment option for you. See our patient stories to read about successful treatments at the CyberKnife Center of Miami. Our staff would be more than happy to discuss the benefits of stereotactic radiosurgery with you. Call CyberKnife Miami today at 305-279-2900 or you can contact us online.